The New York herald., 1872-10-05
TEE BROAD GAUGE.

May Expect a Dividend-,The Cost Of
the Change.
reporter OF the HERALD called upon President
Watson at the Erie office recently to ascertain his
views OF certain rumOred changes which were to
be made In the plan OF the Erie Railroad and what
chances the stockholders would have under the
new management Mr.. Watson was very courteous
and prOcssed himself quite willing to give any In
formation which was desired. The interview was
as follows:-
REpoRrER-Mr. Watson, can you tell me in all
this what chances there are OF the stockholders of
Erie getting dividend?
Mr. WATsoN-That Is as yet subject TO multitude
OF contingencies. have had my idea for long time
as to the only way IN which the stockholders OF
Erie ever could get a dividend 1t is q gigantic
plan-to change the broad gauge, which Erie now
uses, to the narrow gauge, which is used through
out the country. This. take it, is the only way Of
making the road real success. You viii readily
understand the disadvantage we labor under at
present. We can absolutely make
NO CONNECTIONS,
and until we do 1t is my opinion that the road will
never be able to develop itself into paying one.
1t is necessary for our prosperity tnat we should
have the four foot nine inch track instead Of the
six foot track now in use. 1t Is not
alone in the connections which the road
Western railroads that we shall be benefited but
In numerous other ways. Cur rolling stock Is
heavier and more unweltlly than other roads. so
that it costs great deal more to draw them than
1t does other roads. Every pound of deaf
weight which we now pull In the increased weight
Of our cars costs just the same to pull as If it were
paying freight. The cost Of transportation to us Is
greatly increased, and every pound thus drawn by
us Is actually loss compared with other roads.
The cost oil repairs IS greater ana the cost Of road
having the narrow gauge.
REFoRTER-But presume
of such change will be enormous
Mr.. WATsoN-It will cost many millions, probably
from $780, 900 to S25O00o00 But the cos viii be
nothing compared with the benefits we shall derive
from 1t.
REpoRrER-But is this great change decided
Mr.. WArsoN-oh, yes fully. The Board of
Directors have decided upon 1t after mature con-
sideraton.
REroaTER-But what about your rolling stocks
Would you Change tnat to suit the new measure
Mr.. WATsoN-Al that would have to be changed
would simply be the trucks, and that is easy
enough. OF course as long as the old cars last our
expense VIII be greater; for tnen, more than ever
we shall be pulling an immense amount of dead
weight. But as soon as the cars get worn out then
We shall replace them with lighter vehicles and
thus gradually bring about total change from the
present $, stem.
RsPoKrER-How soon do you expect TO begin
Mr.. WATsoS-Tmmediately and the whole work
viii be done inside OF five years. During that time
THE STOCKHOLDERS WILL NOT RECEIVE SINGLE
DIVIDEND.
REpORTER--What! For five yearsS
Mr. WATSoN-ies; for five years there will be no
dividend on the common stock. But il it not
better to go or for i've years without paying them
q dividend than going on for ever Under the
present A system Erie can never never be made e. pay
Our connections would be perfected our expenses
immeasurabiy lighter and the road on sound
REposrER-But If these reasons are so cogent
now, how came 1t that the Erie road was ever
built with broad gauge
Mr.. WATsoN-Well, you know, or you don't
know. that when railroads. FIRST began to be built
III England il was believed that ten feet would
become In the end the regular measurement. One
was built with ten feet gauge, but 1t did not
ceed. Many were built with six feet gauge. But
gradually the standard came to be ioilr feet eight
and hall Inches the gauge OF q road wagon, ana
now generally IN use. BY this time the Erie was
already built, ami subsequent experience showed
1t TO &c
A MISTAKE.
REPoRrER-But al al! events, IL has the one adj
vantage ol being SAFER for travelling.
Mr.. NArsoS-iou are mistaken. IL Is safer on a
straight stretch, but there Is not usually where the
danger exists. On curves the broad gauge Is the
more dangerous Indeed, the narrower the gauge
on curves the safer the travel; tre broader the
gauge on curve the more the two wheels go over
more the inner wheel CRATES and has n propensity
to run or the track. so that you see that you are
as people are generally as to the safety
curves on the Erie Road some OF them describing a
'adus Of 500 yards. On these the narrow gauge
would be infinitely safer.
REPogTER-You are certainly not giving the road
1 YER. good advertisement in what you say.
Mr.. wArsoS-Nor do seek to give the road
GOOD ADVERTISEMENT
when we don't deserve II. That was the old plan
,f fconceang detects. aud showing up merits. That
s not what consider my duty. My duty is to
speak OF things just as lind them, not lust az |
would wish them to b.: A clerk came TO me the
other day ana showed me some menora nda OF
*
why ~ | ASKED him. "Their publication will be
,pt 10 damage the road" he said. told him that
q was not what he was there Tor, TO consider what
would do the road good and what would 10 II
harm. II was TO show things Just rs they were l
crazy. But this example will serve to show you
hat do not seek praise for the road which 1t does
not merit. All care about Is truth
sinced OF what he said. The HERALD reporter then
eft
STRIKE or GOLFERS AT YoRKsHIRE.-The dis
agreement among the collicrs IN some parts OF
orkshire yesterday assumed serious aspect, and
ears are reasonably entertained that in one dis
Irict alone no fewer than 1000 men viii turn out.
Yesterday the men at Messrs. Woodheads ana at
Hessrs. Baggrave's. Westgate Common, near Wake
icid. sfuc. work. The golfers in the first instance
asked the collery proprctors TO increase their
wages twenty-five per cent An amcable arrange
nent was come 70, and dlieen per cent was
granted The dispute was then considered settled;
but the men, having got the fifteen per cent with
comparative ease. Thought they might have got,
had they perseSered, the twenty-five per cent.
determined % try their strength, the men ask Tor
the other ten per cent which the masters assert
they cannot possibly pay II they are 10 have rea-
sonable profit. Last Monday the extra fifteen per
cent was accorded and unless the ten per cent cX-
ira was demanded the golfers about Nurmanton will
W out, and the above mentioned number OF col-
lers Will be on strike. IN addition 70 those who
struck yesterday. Tie state OF disorqani2ation has
had the eject OF paralyzhg trade and, what with
the attractions ~ Doncaster ana the manifest dis
content OF the producers business IL almost at q
The iron trade Is much affected in CON
sequence o. the dispute, ana some men now work
only three and half days IN the week, In which
,iiae they get weeks wages on the Old scale. IL
las been suggested that all the colierics should be
'losed but so much would this de5Uiej' ressor
lffecf the iron trade that nothing excepting dire
necessity VIII induce the masters 70 close the
works. on the other hand the GOLFERS express q
ope that half the pits might be closed, and then
PORTION OF the men would for o time migrate until
he masters who refuse most peremptorily are
obliged 10 comply with their very high demands
The present condition OF affairs IL looked upon
Nth Intense anxiety, and The most serious hnan-
isl results are anticipated should the men persc
.fse ln demands that are to he regarded as alto