The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-09-24
UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD.

two million dollars. As the railroad ia rapidv
carried forward, the amount OF its government ser.
vice and the corresponding saving to the Treasury
will increase even more rapidly, while In other re-
spects the national gain will be equally manifest.
BY the building Of the road and the emigration which
it renders possible and profitable the value of all
government lands along Its line will be increased
beyond present computation. Lands which before
were entirely inaccessible and therefore worthless,
are now brought into direct connection with markets
whose demand for all productions OF the soil will
steadily increase, while those situated near the town
sites established by the company will at once be-
come OF very great value. The population thus sup
ported and encouraged by the railroad will not only
swell our agricultural and mineral productions, but,
the present ratio OF national taxation be kept up
the people along the line of the Pacific road will, In
ten years tiine pay not less than ten million dollars
as annual taxes into the United States Treasury In
short it is safe to assert that this railroad will prove
by far the most profitable Of all the internal improve
ments ever aided by government.
ESTIMATES OF FUTURE BUSINESS.
How large business is it safe to predict for the
Union Pacific RailroadS This is question not easily
answered, simply because the indications are so
favorable that the annual traffic win almost inevi-
tab be greater than even the most sanguine Of Its
friends now assert. But we can put upon record the
estimates OF some Of those who have given the
ject especial attention. Hon. E. d. Mansfield, Com
missioner OF Statistics for the State Of ohio, and
gentleman thoroughly familiar with railroad enter
prises in their relation to the development OF the
country, makes the following estimates in relation
to the prospects Of this company He says:-
ave have some authentic facts on which to base a
fair estimate of the business OF the Pacific Railroad
when IT Is completed. In general view we find the
fact OF an intermediate unsettled country counter
balanced by the millions OF persons and tonnage Of
products on either side seeking mutual intercourse.
On this point we have the following facts, derived
from shipping lists insurance companies, railroads
Ships going from the Atlantic around
Steamships connecting at Panama with s'''' ''''
California and China-56.. .12o, 900 tons.
overland trains, stages, horses &c... 80, 900 TONS
Here we have 23o, 600 tons carried westward, and
experience has shown that In the last few years the
as numerous as those going. So, also, the great
mass OF gold and silver flows eastward; latterly
there an importation Of wheat from California and
goods from China by the Pacific route. Fairly as
Stunning, therefore, that the trade each way will be
about about. equal we have 100000 tons as the actual
How many passengers are there9 We make the
following estimate:-
200 doth ways) vessels ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 1900
Overland doth ways).. 100000
Number per annum. =. -. $4,000
1t might be well to say, in support Of the accuracy
Of this estimate, that the Pacific Mail Steamship
Ing January 81, 1868, and $1,000 in the first six
months OF 1858, while the North American Steam
ship Company have carried this year an average Of
LOCO passengers per month, about 900 per year,
The total by these two lines for the year 1868 will
Present prices averaging half the cost Of the
steamships for both passengers and tonnage, give
10000 passengers at 800. ........$ SIS, 400 900
100000 tons rated at 81 per cubic FOOT. 15e4oooo
Present cost of transportation .... ss1, o4o, 600
There can be no doubt that the number OF passen-
gers will be more than doubled by the completion
Of the road; also the road would take all the very
light and valuable goods, which would be greatly in
creased by the China trade. Taking these things
into view-estimatng passengers at seven ana nail
cents per mile and goods at one dollar per cubic
fOOt-We have
800 900 passengers at $3.50 each. Gas, 900, 900
100000 tons at $34. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 10,20OOO0
saUpose tpt the prcpcon accrng to the Union
Pacific Is 10000 600, then estimate the running ex-
penses at one-haf and this would leave net profit
This may seem very large to those who have not
examined the subject, but 1t must be remembered
rs that the longest lines Of road are the most pro-
ntabe; second, that this road connects two oceans
and the vast population Of Western Europe and
sons Of aan Monana Nevada ana
/ developing Will produce q transit OF persons and
freight at present beyond belief We leave this esti
mate record moderate mot exaggerated)
view Of the business and profits which may be fairly
| expected from the Grand Pacific Railroad"
In support of the soundness OF this calculation
made several years ago. 1t may be said that for the
Der OF passengers carried by the two California
steamship companies from this city reached 81 OOo
at the rate Of a. 900 per year. For many years
come, at least the Union Pacific Railroad Will be the
only railway avenue Of communication between the
Atlantic and Pacific States and between the
great mining districts and the markets
whence they derive their supplies, and
to which they export their products. AS
such the through aud the way tranic Of
the line must be immense. Already, as will be seen
by subsequent tables, the earnings OF the unfinished
road on way business alone have exceeded four mil
lions per year. and every additional completed mile
must increase the business and the profit. The popu-
aton Of the Territories thanks to this railroad,
rapidly increasing; the fertile lands along the line
are being taken up and improved by settlers who
will be good customers Of the railroad to which they
owe their safety and their profitable cultivation Of
the soil; the yield Of gold, silver, iron and coal will
be largely augmented, as the railroad affords i'm
proved and cheapened mining facilities, and tho
merchants OF the Old and the New Worlds will find
by this line the shortest and cheapest route for their
interchange Of commercial commodities.
ACTUAL EARNINGS ON WAY BUSINESS.
As no one has ever expressed O doubt that as soon
as the road is completed Its through business Will be
abundanty profitable, It becomes Interesting to
know not only what may be expected, but what has
actually been earned by the way local business so
far as 1t has been opened. 1t should be remembered
that, although settlements are being rapidly made
along the line, untn recently the road has run
through O wilderness for almost its entire length;
but as every year brings an influx Of population,
this local trafilc Will have q steadily increasing
value. Atpresent its transportation for the govern
ment ana for the mining regions is the chief
Of It's already large revenue AS these mining re-
gions penetrated the earnings will be greatly
fl..a.
soon DO constructed will be most valuable feeders
ha lin nnk