Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1874-04-25
OLYMPIA. SATURDAY EUsyISC. APRIL 3. 1874.
HOW THE SUGGESTION IS RECEIVED


construction of railroad tracks, has
ELECTED no little comment, and led We
trust, to better understanding of the
subject on which we all feel such lively
interest. The general opinion of those
who have given the subject considera-
ton appears to be, that the suggestion
of substituting wooden rails for those of
iron, which were contemplated when
the proposition to issue county bonds
was discussed. is good one, and the
argument in its favor unanswerable.
That it will be ultimately adopted we
have but little doubt, with a growing
sentiment among the people against the
issue of bonds for more than is required
to purchase the rolling stock, even if
the county is authorized by the bill now
pending in Congress to pledge the pub
lie credit for that small amount.
That all are not favorably impressed
with the proposition, however, is evil
dent from the following communication
Of F. A. Hoffman, Esq, the very zeal
Gus and efficient Secretary of the Olym-
pia Railroad Union; but it will be seen
that his objection arises simply from
the belief that an era of prosperity will
dawn on the completion of the road,
the glimmerings of which have not yet
greeted the vision of few doubling
Thomases, ourself among the number.
We believe that the best policy is always
to choose the safest plan; and possess
ing very decided aversion to mourning
any debt we have not the money to pay,
it is but natural that we should look
through the same glasses in discussing
questions of public policy, in which
every citizen has a common interest
Had our citizens ample means at their
command, it is doubtful whether it
would not be the true policy to uso
the cheaper materials for construction,
until Olympia has begun at least to
show some signs of becoming I" zone of
the commercial centers of the Pacific
Coast, or until the Salt Lake and Port
lnnd Railroad project has assumed
more definite shape. While it is con-
coded that Mr.. Hoffman's ideas are
based upon very plausible grounds, it
should be borne in mind that there is a
marked difference between theory and
practice.
If the system suggested by the Man.
ufacture'' and Builder is adopted-and
1t has the endorsement of eminent en-
gineers, based upon actual observation,
and the statement submitted to the
Railroad Union by the San Francisco
Wood Preserving Company in regard
to its moderate cost to sustain it-erery
doubt is removed Of the ability Of the peo-
pie to build the road ,cnhoM an ertrara-
CANT issue Of bonds or help from any
other source achaterer. Soon as Mr..
Hofman's very sanguine expectations
begin to be realized, the company will
be in position to substitute iron for
wooden rails, at probably a less cost
than they can be purchased at this time
Wood or iron will be considerably worn
by that time, while the blister" inter-
est, will not have had chance to irri-
tate the cuticle and sour our tempers.
EDITOR SrANDARD:-I perceive in the
columns Of your last issue " A sugges-
ton to the Olympia Railroad Union. "
While the company, as well as the peo-
pie of Thurston county, should be
thankful to you for the watchful care
with which you look to their interests,
and no doubt are, it gives me great
pleasure to transmit to you with this,
the evidence that the company has done
everything to obtain information, by
which the enterprise contemplated by
u.s.. should be forwarded cheaply and
quickly.
As in all commodities, it is not always
that the lower-priced article is the
cheapest; 20 in this instance, q number
of the Trustees are Of the opinion that
in our connection with the Northern
Pacific Railroad at Tenino, we must
offer, in competing for business against
Tacoma, frst-class road accommoda-
tons. A wooden road would cost, in
the commencement less, but its repairs
and the necessary changes for an in
creased traffic, would make it in the end
the dearest.
In your suggestion you use the fol-
lowing language: While wood for the
rails may be employed for the track on
branch roads with satisfactory results,
whose freight cars are not liable to be
heavily loaded seem to take it
for granted, first, that this road is in
tended to be branch road; second
that the cars would not be heavily load.
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