The Plymouth Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1869-1941, 1869-10-14
u AyS.EgsS &1sS

RAILHOAOS.
In all parts Of our State, wherever We
have community not in direct commu-
nication with the larger cities ofcur own
and adjoining States, there we find peo-
pie making strenuous efforts to secure
the location and construction Of some
railroad.
Trunk" and "Main Lines" arc pre-
jected to and from every point of COM
pass without regard to the markets to
de reached, the cost of construction, of
transportation. or the amount Of traffic
they will secure after they are compile
ted
Our cities, counties, and townships,
are taking stock in these various prof.
Gets without ever expecting to get .
dividend from their investments, and
with but little doubt but what the en-
tire amount of these stock subscriptions
will be entirely wiped out within few
years by the foreclosure of mortgages
given to secure the payment of money
borrowed for the purpose Of building
these roads; SO well is this understood,
that some counties have voted large
amounts as donations or bonuses in aid
of railroads, and have waived all claims
to proprietary interest in Thorn, which
action plainly signifies that those that
vote these donations never anticipate that
the railroads. when constructed, will
pay anything more than operating sx-
penses.
We all understand the advantages of
railroads, end appreciate their benefits,
but when We come to vote our mon. y
to q railroad that costs SO large IN
amount that the earnisss Of the road
will not keep up the interest on the
bonds, and keep the road in repair, dc
We make the best use Of our money?
The average cost Of railroads in this
State is over $50, 900 per mile; to pay Z
per centum interest on this sum, Cor its
equivalent. dividend of per century
q road would have to earn 5000 per
mile every year, provided 80 per cent
of the earnings are allowed for expenses
of operating the road repairs, dc.
which per centum is rather less than is
usually required. 1t will readily be seen
that but few railroads in the State cal
esrn this amount. and the reasons ere
SO obvious that they need not be stated
but, if the first cost of railroads coult
be diminished to one fifth of their pres
ens cost, to say s. 500 per mile, thou
sands Of nliles might be built, and oper
| ted with great profit to the shareholders
| in localities that are now, and for year.
will be, entirely destitute of railroads.
Now it IL p1ssible to build such ;
light, chesp railroad, one adapted for
farming community, and for those en-
gagged in numbering, one thst will fur
nish the people cheap and convsnicn
transportation, and at the same tim
yield fair dividends.
| Such rsad would have these char
acteristics: narrow guage. not exceed
ing three feet; light rolling stock, en-
zine not to weigh over twelve tons, an
freight cars not over three tons; 10;
rate of speed, not exceeding Is miles a
hour. The ears would require only fou
wheels to carry loads Of FIVE tons; wit
such light rolling stock, heavy rail
would not be required; Il rsil weighin
% pounds to tho yard wonld be foun
amply sufficient, and r0ad-bsd Of min
feet wide would be Of sufficient width
Surprising railroad Of this kin
was contemplated from Plym nth t
!, Bremen. The distance is l3 miles, an
the surface Of the country is SO smootl
and even that the expense of gradin
would be very light; il. ce+t weuld b
nearly se follo~e:
go t,nsr.i'. Al $50 "a. 90
? 30, 800 ties 81 20 cents 76
| IL miles grading ~ 220tG............".6,0 90