The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-05-30

avenue they Immediately interested Mr Wander
Of Georgetown the proprietor Of the omnibus lines in
the plan, and. with his concurrence they also Joined
with them twelve respectable citizens the District
Out OF the fifteen individuals who have thus taken hold
OF this project earnestly and In good faith IA meas-
uie Of public interest, there ba seAo resides Of
tie Dssria, and he is tho engineer referred to-
This is the to the impression which, for selfish
purposes Is sought to be created that 1t il speculation
got up by two three residents There is not one
iota Of truth in tho statement
The grant may be valuable it may not be. These
railways far have not proved to he investments giving
such remarkable returns ~ make their projectors
wealthy They have served to enhance the value Of
estate along their routes to extent than times
the cost Of the roads, but this benefit has accrued
those who took the risk of tho They have
been obliged TO content themselves In many cases with
dividends at ALL at most with to per cent The
Brooklyn City Railroad Company, with 20 miles Of rail
way costing million Of dollars, earned last year $780,
900 in gross. To do this business them $3.50 900
leaving 500 900 net After setting aside $50 900
depreciation, they divided per cent This is in popu
ton of 800 600 The cost of these railways varies from
600 to $50 900 per mile including their equipment
II take fair average the of the railway to
Georgetown 1t will probably exceed 5000. 900.
The present daily number Of passengers travel
ling In the omnibusos during the session of Congress
about 5000 At other seasons Of the year 1000 ;
or AN average ut all seasons-say 1880. No doubt
the facilities offered by the will increase the travel
making large allowance for this ana 1t IL probable
that for long time yet II would exceed 900 passengers
daily This at five cents per passenger, would give
daily receipts OF $500 about $40 900 per annum AL
lowing tho proportion for expenses and depreciation
" is found to be the result Of the Brooklyn system
T. and the road in Pennsylvania would give net
receipts Of $l7 500, between and per cent on the
cost. 1t must be remarked, however, that short line
Of railway cannot be operated chcapy in proportion
long many of the expenses remain the same and
making due allowances for all these it is fair to assume
that II the railway increase the travel from an aver
OF $500 to 1000 passengers per day may possibly
prove reasonably remuneratve
The grant in be considered monopoly or
exclusive privilege 1t does not prevent omnibus lines
being rum other lines of railway being constructed
The railway occupies in the street e1clsgey
for the space in which it lies is open for the miscellaneous
travel of the street ut all times with the exception
other vehicles turn out for passing There il not
vested right given by the BILL for the government
has complete control of the re may alter the
grant at PLEASURE and at any time either the
the authorities of the city may take possession the
road and Its property upon paying the actual cost thereof
All these statements are based upon experience and
knowledge of the facts and should have weight in the
scale when balanced with the loose assertions vague
situations and visionary calculations of the numerous
whose only hope is to be bought off from in
tcrmeddlng in undertaking which its projectors think
audabe one, and worthy Of every candid man sup
port
A. p ROBINSON