The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1875-06-24
GhegnteItigereer,
Local Railroad Matters.

day announces that the contract for
grading and bridging the narrOw.gauge
railroad between that place and Wash
ington pa has been let to John Dom
oghue 4 Bro, Of Altoona, Pa, for $1,000
per mile, the work to be completed and
ready for the ties within four months.
This news looks US II our neighbors
would really get road cheaper than
they expected, and We congratulate them
on the good omen that attends their first
step. The whole road, equipped for buSi'
ness can hardly cost over $40, Opcr mile.
Speaking OF this road, reminds us Of
what the Hon. ], n. Bennett Of Weston,
told US day or two since about the pro-
posed road from that place TO Clarksburg.
Those in charge Of its initiation are nego-
tiating with the Baltimore and Ohio
Company with view to having them
take the road after 1t Is graded and iron
and equip 1t, in which case the gauge will
be the same as the Baltimore 4 Ohio.
The Weston people prefer such an ar
rangemont because it will enable them to
run cars through to Baltimore without
breaking bulk, Lewis county ships an
nually about 10000 head Of cattle to Bal
timore, and nearly all Of them wOuld be
shipped from Weston Il this proposed
road is built.
We are not sure that II wonld be good
policy for the Lewis county people to
abandon their original idea Of narrow
gauge road, unless indeed they can make
very favorable terms with the Baltimore
& Ohio company. The cost Of transfer Is
generally oyer.estimated, The Congress
slonal Committee In their report las
published sometime ago in the INTELLI-
oENcER) In favor Of narrow.gauge roads,
estimate'the cost Of transfer at as low an
amount as 10 cents per ton, and remarked
that at Denver the cost Of transfer be-
tween the Union Pacific road and the
Denver & Rio Grande road did not ex-
csed 10 cents per ton. II their estimate
is correct, the item Of transfer is too
small an expense to be weighed in the
scales against the general advantages OF u
narrow.gaugc track. We hope there
fore that our Lewis county neighbors
will investigate the subject faithfully be-
fore abandoning their original intention.
As showing what the feeling Is on the
subject Of railroads in the interior of
West Virginia, we may refer to a COM
munication in the last issue OF the Bev-
erly randolph county Enterprise, from
WIN. P. Jackson, civil engineer, in favor
Of wooden railroads. lie shows that a
good wooden road can be built for 81 ,O5O
per mile, after it is graded, and that
good maple, with ordinary traffic, at a
speed Of fifteen miles, will last about five
years" He remarks that "the wooden
rails can be turned and changed so as to
bring all parts to the wcari and the ends
can be cut of and pieces inserted" 1t
seems by his statement that iron roads
carry about tons to the wheel, Of mer-
chandise, and that wooden road can
safely carry Of ion.
In this connection we may mention the
fact that wooden railroad already ex-
lists between Penfsboro aud lTarrisvillc,
in Richie comfy, and that 1t is Of great
service to the people Of that county.
When completed, II reduced the price Of
coal very decidedly to the people all
along It's line. In every point Of view II
is blessing to the county. Why should
not all the heavily timbered counties in
ttie interior Of West Virginia, where the
people do not feel able to build narrow
gauge iron roads, have roads like this
onep What an immense amount Of dis
agreeable and proftleSs hauling they
would annually save to the farmers.
But coming nearer home, we notice
that MeSsrs. Holloway, Rhodes, R. j..
Baggs and A. j. Bags, Of Bridgeport,
went to Cleveland on Monday in the in.
terest Of the proposed extension Of the
Tuscarawas Valley road to Bridgeport.
We also notice the following item Of news
in Yesterdays ST. ClairSvillc Chronicle
1.-THE Cadil & 81. ClairSville & Bellaire
narrow.gauge Is being worked up slowly.
A meeting will be held In this place short
ly 10 appoint the committee TO cooperate
With the Harrison county Committee.
The Engineers Of the Tuscarawas Valley
road have completed their survey Of Crab
Apple branch and returned TO the main
creek, yesterday. They begin the survey
ui the main creek to-day, By both the
Flushing and Bigloys routes"
Appropos to the advantage ofnarrow.
gauge roads We see II stated that within
the past fve years there have been built
and put into operation a number Of mar.
tow.gauge roads in this country thirty.
six inches, aud two in Canada Of forty.
two inches. A striking and conclusive
fact about these roads, according to the
Chicago RditEay ReptstV, is that not one Of
those In full operation at the date Of tue
panic has gone into bankruptcy, and that
every one has promptly paid It's interest
obligations from net earnings, and left
some surplus 10 the credit Of income ac-
count.
A Chance for tan appointment.
Col. Ben Wilson, member Of Congress
elect from this District, informs US that
there is a chance now for such ambitious
youths among bis constituency as are in.