Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1870-04-20
Youngstown, Newton Falls and RAJ
VIENNA Railroad.

The following communication is from
the Cleveland Leader of the 10th inst:
Aweek or nor ago yeur readers wer,
entertained with a we'll written article
IN reference to this project, from the per
of Mr.. J. G. Calender in which he saw,
that-probably referring to the officers
OF the company" they are not, of late
moving publicly in this matter"
Before answering his query, we will
only premise that the writer has not
overdrawn in his estimate of the impor-
lance of this project, either to the city OF
Cleveland or Youngstown, or intermedi-
ate points, and that few, if any projects.
are agitated, requiring the same amount
of capital, and promising so large a
return TO stockholders and the public
generally. And while, Mr.. C.. saws,
every man wants, and many expect a
railroad by their own doors, we readily
concede to him the belief that il ought to
cross the river where his home and prop
erty are-at Prices mills-but modestly
suggest, on u own knowledge of the
country, and the opinion of practical
engineers, that the shortest practicable
route, and the cheapest, is ria Newton
Falls, as first contemplated and surveyed
by Colonel Robinson.
And now for the purpose of answering
Mr.. C.'s query, and all others, as to what
we are doing, and why we are not doing
more, We will respectfully say that we
are doing very little, and think it due to
ourselves and the interest of our project
that we should publicly give the reasons
of our inactivity. \ few words of his
tory may be necessary. Owing to the
present and prospective i~nadequacy of
the Mahoning road to supply ~transporta-
ton for the immense traffic between the
lakes and the coal region of the Mahon-
ing and Beaver Valleys, it was proposed
to build the road now in question, as
an extension of the Pennsylvania Cen
trail line from the Lawrence depot at
4 Girard, Niles, and New
Falls to Ravenna, and there connect
the Cleveland & Pittsburgh rail-
road. With this view we secured the
services of Colonel Robinson, by whom
thorough survey and estimates were
made in the summer of 1865. After the |
noise and smoke of the railroad wars of
1859 had partially subsidized, our cor
dependence was renewed with the PENN
road, and in September last one
IF us (P-) by appointment, with Mr..
met him at his office in Phila-
and presented to him our maps,
D~rofiles, estimates, etc, together with a
of facts showing the imDOr-
of the road, and also stating dis
that the corpOrators were not
capitalists, but men of moderate means
unacquainted with building rail
Dads; and that their only object was to
10 the preliminary work and pay for it,
md then transfer their franchise to him,
n other parties able to execute the work;
md further, that we propose to modify
'ur survey to secure a new coal field dis
since 1868.
To this he replied that this additional
urvey ought TO be made Immediately,
nd that this, with certificates of the
mount of coal reported in the new coal
ield, should be forwarded to him, and
f the survey was feasible and the extent
f coal authenticated the road ought TO
built and would be built, and that the
money could be furnished TO build it,
md, further, that his company had right
transportation for twenty years to
ONE on the Cleveland & Pittsburgh
BAD sufficient for all purposes contem-
lated by this new line. With these as
frances we engaged Mr.. Messersmith +,
make surveys at the earliestday prac-
and his maps, profles and esti-
lates, together with certificates far {
the amount of coal formerly re- {
1rted, were shown to Mr.. Thompson at
Philadelphia, by our President (R.) in t
ecember.
With these reports Mr.. T. protested to !
well satisfied, and proposed that our
)mpany should raise by subscription {
Efficient stock to III right of way
grade the track, including masonry, :
that his company would put on
lperstrBetu-o5 e4ufp aud run the road l
J equitable terms. No contract was I
finally drawn, but a memorandum l
ritten and read to Mr.. T., who assent
| that this was the understanding. ]
Regarding this as a basis, we visited
and reported, and alsoyour
ty, where we were cordially and gen.
'ously received by the Board of Trade, I
Id, on our presentation of facts to them
above recited, their prompt action was
as reported in your and other
ty papers.
And now for our reasons for ''not NOV
2 publicly in this NATTER I
On the 4th of February, and subse- 1
we received letters from Mr.. T.
some conditions different from
he had previously stated, and 9th =,
S entirely new to US. Substantially \
ese-that we must perfect Dur organi-
ton, negotiate with the Cleveland and
ittsburgh road for right and terms of I
ansit, secure right of way, grade, tie
I'd ballast track, and furnish depot c
and then issue Z per cent. first
ortgage construction bonds sufficient |
complete the work, and deliver them
him, if approved, in payment for
ling it. |
In conclusion of a long article, we can
lily say further, that while we are still 4
illing to undertake to furnish stock, for
stock road, as first contemplated, we
ink it more prudent to move slowly j
r the present, rather than solicit stock
any other basis than a fair pro rdSd
of the earnings of the road when
tilt. r. S. ROBBINS, Pres't. {
J. L. PORTER, Cor. Sec.
Eal1s ADril O 1870