The independent. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Kan.) 1860-1874, 1862-06-14
RAILROADS. THEIR CONSTRUC
TON,

upon the subject OF constructing and
running railroads. demonstrating the
folly Of diverging from straight lines in
building, through roads. As his is
matter in which we are all deeply in
seres,ed. and as sra-e error ecmmitt-
ed at this time viii prove Of vital de;ri-
men. 10 The future railroad interests Of
our Young State. it may be well a. this
junction 10 add few '.Tacts and figures
10 what has already been said. We
are desirous that Kansa. should begin
right in making her railroads. rt
There are two routes proposed Tor
the pioneer road in our Staie-Leaven
worth and Pawnee-one as nearly an
air line as possible. the other by way
OF the kar river bottom. We believe
It is conceded fact that the latter route
from Leavenworth City to Topeka vii!
be fifteen miles longer than the former.
On thi. basis j, is easy 10 arrive. Al
conclusions. ~ .,s-as f-
Il is now quite definitely nscertamed
that the grading aud mason work on
roads does not equal in cost th- price
of the iron. the cross ties. laying the
rail and ballasting the track. As a
rule subject, of course. to variations,
accordin- 10 the kind OF country thro'
which ins road p.sses lt;i sralins
and masoary vii! co.,':hrescish hs.ani
the iron etc f,e-ei.hil.s. l, will HERE
fore. cos, more to make tile road from
L,aveuw,rih to Topek, BY the Raw
river valley Than il ;in aif-linc, as the
following figures "iil show; for the
grading along the rou will coa,e with
in the rule above given.
!! will cost ten thousand dollars per
mile 10 make a road on The route pro-
posed. and this will be much b,.low the
average cost of roads in the United
Safes: bu il can be made for this much
Fif cen miles of road AT $4,000 per
nile vii! .co>i SI5J.OO0. That is. the
airline ruad. other things being equal,
vi cost $50. Geo less than the river
.-ottom rnas. This sum a; interest
lwentg years at ten per cent. per annum
will amuunl 10 Si50. 900. AT COM
POUND interest at the same rate per cent
il viii amount 10 $3.50 .OCO; or $3o, 600
more Han enough to construct sirty miles
gf road, Thus. al the end OF twenty
wears. will this excess of fifteen miles
cost The comi.any more tlian al! their
road from Leavenw or:h 10 Topeka
Al eight Per cent. interest the cost Of
the fifteen miles of road at tie end of
event, years will amount to 1898. 600:
and a. compound interest to $500, 600.
or sir, thousand dollars more Maa enough
70 bnad Ne road Of strty Mules Z ,s,s.s
asThcsc figures seem startling .bai they
ere ga,,. as AIRY one can readily deter
mine blythe use Of plan rules of mail,c-
maiics,- But. Tor the sake OF meeting
all casil, We viii adnii iistiLe cost oi
gr1dlng the two routes would be equal
that is, that The & eater obstacles 70
overcome in The shor; iins ronle will
consume the difference of fifteen miles
And we viii allow sill further. that the
grading will cost one half instead o:
three eigi;s Of the whole road. aud We
s'iil have more than half enough saved
al The end ot twenty years 10 build the
road, on he item IF construction alone.
Now. add 10 this the cos. of runhing
The extra fifteen miles every day for
twenty years. and We shall have another
surprising array Of numerals.
On road doing heavy business the
eos, per mile per year is from 5000
10 $1,000. We hope our road will do
heavy business; but We will say for
twcsty years an aversge of Sc 900 per
mile. Fifteen miles viii then cost in
principal s3o. 900 a year. .ani in twenty
years Ss90..0O. and at compound inter.
estas.mueI, noreor 81 200, 900! Tia,
*, tie running cost OF the fifteen miles
of road will amount to as much princi-
pal at the end Of twenty years as will
build the sixty miles of road. and a,
compound ia.eres: TO twice that sum +!
But 10 be within bounds all The time.
Is, Us adui. that contingencies Of MI
kinds will reduce this one-Lalf and We
y-t have enougbiefs TO build the whole
lii,c.a s.t'i gYs'
II will be sail that the cos, of ,nn-
0isg iaelud~s the price Of hands. Which
sill be nearly equal in both instances
W, make allowance for this ani all
f.fl..r r.,s.s..i. oxy.a0p.n,- q. -.