New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-07-13

Alr. G. w. r. Bayley, general superinten.
dent Of the New Orleans, Mobile and Texas
railroad, writes to the Times as follows:
Your j. b. s., in a communication respect
ing q railroad to Shreveport, published in
Yesterdays Times, describes the several
routes very clearly, and, evidently. knows
whereof he speaks. Mr. Sage and myself
have for many years seen the advantages
and advocated the building OF railroads to
Houston and Shreveport. ] have surveyed
and examined several routes to both points,
and have done something toward the build
ing Of railroads toward the points named.
Mr. Sage is correct in his proposition that
the shortest route is, as rule, the best, but
there may be good reasons why the short
eat and most direct line may not be the
best for the occasion, and he has slightly
overegtimated the difference In distance
between the ''aiF hne' to Alexandria, via
the New Orleans, Mobile and Texas rail
road, az far as Bayou Goula, and thence up
the Crosse Tete, and across the Atchafa-
laya, and the New Orleans, Mobile and
Texas railroad line, via DonaldaOnville and
Vermilionville, to Alexandria. This differ
ence will not exceed twenty miles, and
would probably be not more than eighteen
miles
The distance by the map, from Canal
street, New Orleans, via DonaldsOnYille and
Bayou gOula, and by the air line thence to
Alexandria, would be about 1870 miles, with
lis to III miles of new road through diff
onlt country, comparatively speaking, to
build, whereas the distance via the New
Orleans, Mobile and Texas railroad railroad
line via DOnaldsonville, Bayou Goula and
Vermilionville, to Alexandria, would be
2O8 miles, with only 81 miles Of new road
from Yermilionville to Alexandria, through
a country we'll adapted for rapid and cheap
railway construction, to build. About 20
=. ae ali sIoI
tween Vermilionville and OpelOusas, and
about is miles more from Alexandria south.
A portion Of their air line proposed is also
graded, but precisely how much ! do not
know.
The New Orleans, Mobile and Texas Rail
road Company have completed their road
to Donaldsonville, sixty-three miles from
Canal street, New Orleans, and intend inn
mediately to complete it to Vermilionyille,
Eixty-three miles further without help from
the citizens lof New. Orleans, leaving only
the eighty-two miles, thirty EIGHT of which
is graded already, to build, to connect New
Orleans with Alexandria, on Red river.
Thence to Shreveport the routes would be
the same,
The cost Of building a first class railroad
from Bayou GOula, by the air line, to
Alexandria, would be fully $500, 600, while
the road from Vermilionville to Alexandria
gOuld not cost more than $2000,00O, and
this latter could be completed in much less
time than the air Line.
1t would seem, therefore, il the people OF
New Orleans have 100000 to apply to
the construction Of a railroad to Shreve
port, that II would be wise to join hands
with the New Orleans, Mobile and Texas
Railroad Company, and put their money
where it will do them the most good, and
where it will secure the earliest completion
Of a railroad to Red River and thence to
Shreveport.
The New Orleans, Mobile and Texas Rail-
road Company expect to build a railroad to
Alexandria, and thence to Shreveport, and
this company holds valuable rights and
franchises to enable them TO do SO; but,
nevertheless, il the citizens of New Orleans
desire to aid in its construction, and thus
secure and expedite its early completion to
company would gladly avail themselves Of
their help.