The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-01-07
Wheeling and Like Erie.


The meeting of the Board Of Directors
of the Wheeling and Lake Erie Railroad
Company, at Leesburg, last week, was a
most important and spirited one, as re.
CARDS the action taken, and shows that
those having the work in hand are de-
termined to push it to a successful con-
clusion.
After a full discussion of matter of
interest to the road, the Board decided TO
take affairs INTO its own hands, and carry
on the work OF construction AS rapidly us
possible. It.has accordingly entered into a
contract with Gen. Mckee for getting the
road bed ready, and the iron all laid.
A letter from Mr.. Mckee, dated Lees
vile. Wednesday, says:
ave commenced work here last Thurs.
day, and are making some show already.
Engineer Robinson is here, laying out
work at the tunnels and we will drive
into them next Monday. The narrow
gauge interest Is growing"
As fast as one section of the road
from one railroad crossing to another
is ironed, it will be fully equipped and
put in operation. AS soon rs the wealth
er permits more men will be put at work.
1t will be observed that Mr.. Mckee
speaks of the narrow-guage. For some
time there has been a growing feeling
that il would, be wise movement TO
convert the Wheeling and Lake Erie
road intoa narrow guage.
In the present state of trade, and the
condition of financial matters, there is
no doubt but that this is the best thing
that could he done. The arguments in
favor Of the construction OF Il narrow
guage road are unaBswerable. The cost Of
construction is less than one-half that Of
the standard guage and the cost of oper-
ating is as SIX to ten. Eenginecr Rob
inson estimates that he can put the mar
row-guagc road in complete running or
der, with all the necessary rolling stock,
for the sum of 81 900 per mile, for the
hundred miles between Sandusky and
Zoar. Or, he would grade. bridge, tie
and iron the road for $500 per mile.
The contract for the construction OF the
standard guage calls for the expenditure
of $4,000 per mile, including the equip
ment. 1t will readily be seen that there
will be some chance of an immediate re-
turn to stockholders, with such difference
in the amount of capital required 10 con-
struct, saying nothing about the differ
ence of forty per cen: in running ex-
penses. To illustrate by facts, the cost of
operating and maintaining the best
standard roads is sixty-four per cent ofthe
gross earnings, while the Denver IL Rio
Grande narrow-gauge, in 1874, did not
exceed fifty per cent of the gross earn
ings on very limited business.
Besides this. the company has its own
rolling stock for its own use, and is not
obliged to keep twice as many cars as
are actually needed, for the use of other
roads. All these things 60 toward de-
creasing the cost of construction and
operating, and a corresponding increase
in the profits.
The comp elton Of the Wheeling q
Lake Erie railroad is most important TO
the Interests of NOrwalk, no matter
whether II is standard or narrow gauge.
All citizens who desire to see the town
grow in Importance, manufactures and
wealth, should take an active interest IN
its construction, and do all in their
power TO forward It's interests.
A bill has been recently presented to
Congress, asking that the Forty-frst
Parallel Narrow-guage be chartered.
One link in this road Is now under con-
struction from Toledo to the Southwest.
A narrow. guage road from Toledo TO
South Haven, on the shore of Lake Mich
igan, is also being put in readiness Tor
construction. The Wheeling and Lake
Erie will eventually form connections
with these, making a trunk line from the
West to the East. Let the people OF Nor
walk see to it that they do not let the
opportunity Of such an important line
60 to some other enterprising town.
Huron County Chronicle.
We learn from President Wood that
the contract with General Mckee, ex-
tends from Zoar TO the mouth Of Piny
Fork. The right of way has not been
all secured from that point to Martins
Ferry. From our knowledge Of General
Mckee We have no hesitation in assur-
ing the friends of the Wheeling & Lake
Erie road. that work will be pushed TO
the full extent of the means placed at
the disposal of the directors. General
Mckee has already finished q contract
of grading West of Zoar, of forty miles.
We also learn Il at report was made
looking TO the consolidation Of the ". x
l.. 4. X. with the Valley road from the
point Of intersection near Zoar, about
forty miles west of this place, and was
favorably considered by the board Of d.
rectors OF the W. Il l.. T. 4.
President Wood reported cousul:a.
ton meeting he had held with Mr.. John
w. Garrett, of the Il. & D. Road. Mr..
Garrett regards the building of the road
OF great importance TO railroad interests.
and expresses himself as very favorable
for the extension of aid f1rits completion.