Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1869-11-04
ia. pac Ife T,aiIrood.

The special commission on Pacific
railroads, which has been in session lere
during the past week, Will lay its re-
port before Secretary Cox il the MORN
ing. The investigation made was OF the
most minute character, IS is shown By
the fact that all the tinlbeTs OF the
bridges were measured, and the strain
on all the iron rods of these structures
estimated. In the matter OF ballast,
three of the commission constantly
took notes on the point on every mile OF
road. The report OF the condition OF
the bridges over the whole line Is OF
very favorable character, and Tor ordl-
nary traffic and present use all the
bridges and tresties are regarded as sale.
The great bridge over American HYer
and bottoms near Sacramento needs
some strengthning bolts, and in fact the.
Central Company was putting them IN
when the Commissioners returned. The
trestle over DEVILS Gate, which was so
trying TO certain weak nerves last SUM
mer, has been replaced by substantial
bridge OF approved construction. The
great Dale creek bridge at Sherman is
comm nded IN strong terms. AS TO
cuIverts there are more than needed,
and quite a number will be filed up'
1.-THE companies not knowing the amount
of rain tall had made excessive allow
ance) now that those really needed are
known. Timber is being replaced with
stone, and good stone is being put III
abutments in place of the material first
used Oh account of its proximity. Inc
red stone found in Weber and Echo
canon was OF excellent quality. Ties
were carefully examined. The cotton
WOOD ties have been replaced by hard
pine in many places, and 4Go,OUO OF the
latter class are at Laramie, having been
floated down the river from the BACK
Hills ready 10 be put i'll the place OF the
old ties. The rapid change OF all the
cotton wood for this red pine recon-
mepded. and this pine is held to lie as
near the requirement of the letter OF
the law as the company can find. The
grades on both roads are within the
limits Of the law. Only on the Sierra
section ol the Central do either grades
or curves reach the maximum allowed.
On the UGiou road there are no grades
above ninety feet. In the matter OF!
balIasting, as stated, the figures were
taken bV three of the commission on
each mile. AS a Tesulta large proportion
OF both roads were !ound 10 be We'll.
baiiasted, and some of it Is Of the rest
possible character. Estimates are pre-
sented for replacing cottonwood ties and
completion Of ballasting also, for widen
Ing a. embankments which we're .ound
TO be needed at number Of points As
to equipment the commission agrees
that there is an abundance, and in fact,
an excess Of this in some particulars
On each road water stations are plenty.
The Commissioners express the opinion
that the officers of both roads are work
ing in good faith to bring the roads to-
the best possible condition As soon as
possible. The figures fixed upon as the
needed outlay TO fully complete theroad
within the intent Of the law cannot be
ascertained. The last management of
the Union Railroad does not receive
favorable notice, but the present IS rel
garded as conducting affairs in good
faith. While thereport as whole isl
very favorable to TIE roads. ii is also
very exactiug in specifications of what
needs yet to be done.
The commission making this report Is
one selected by the President under the
act of April 10th, authorizing him to-
appoint Board of eminen5 citizens not
less than 1--WE in number, who are mott
interested in either road, 10 examined
and report upon the condition OF the en-i
tire line, aud the sum required to com
rIata aa ~, af The r0a1S