The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1876-08-11
The NarrOW-GaugeS,

We have repeatedly during months
past taken occasion TO call public atten-
ton to the need there is for the con-
struction Of narrow gauge railroads for
the advancement of our citl's interests.
Owing to peculiar natural conditions re-
laing TO our city and its surroundings
this class OF roads is particularly de-
sirable. The city itself is filled to de-
gree of density in the population that
not only causes an essential lack Of
home comforts and domestic privacy in
family residences, but must inevitably
tend to unhealthfulness, and exposure
to the TaYages Of unavoidable epidem-
les. Moreover, the great cost of build
ing ground for family homes within the
crowded limits OF the city precludes the
larger portion OF our mechanics and
business men from all hope of securing
homes for themselves in the city itself;
and they are consequently compelled to
exhaust their savings in payment Of
rent FOR very unsatisfactory and un-
suitable accommodations.
Round about Cincinnati are the most
healthful and beautiful suburban loca-
tions known to any city on the contin-
ent, perhaps in the world. In these lo-
cations homes could be obtained by al
most every steady and Industrious me-
chanic and business men of small means.
But the lack OF suitable means of transit
for reaching their places of business in
the city, operates as an obstacle to their
Sc occurring Tor themselves homes in these
cheaper and more healthful suburban
localities.
To overcome this obstacle we believe
the system of narrow-gauge roads to be
the means. Cincinnati is well accommo-
dated with heavy trunk railroads. They
appertain to line of service altogether
important to the city's great CONNER
cial interests; but they fail to meet this
special want Of accommodations tor
speedy local transit. 1t is this want
that the narrow-gauge is to supply. Om-
nibus lines lack both speed and capacI-
ty. The street car lines can not climb
the intervening ascents with sufficient
ease and rapidity. We must needs
invoke the potent agency of steam in its
application to the narrow gauge system
I'm order to bring our suburban districts
within practical reach Of the city for
business mems purposes.
To accomplish this purpose it is me-
cessity that these narrow gauges should
be brought within such limits of cost OF
construction as to render the invest
ment of capital compensatory. The ex-
pertinent as to these roads is but in its
infancy here as yet. And, so far as our
Information goes, it seems clear that
they have been too expensive. One OF
these roads, three miles long, with
maximum grade OF not more than 28O
feet to the mile, is said to have cost
$4,000 per mile. This is much more
than such roads are reported to have
cost at other localities.
Our present roads OF this class have
been constructed under the control of
inexperienced men. And as no small
portion OF the cost has accrued to their
hands by way donations along the lines,
it becomes important TO see that such
donations, as well as other means, are
iudiciously and faithfully applied. 1t
may be accepted as fact, sin the nature
OF things" that men, in spending money
given them, are not SO precise as when
spending hard earned money Of their
own.
II would be well, moreover, to have
the lines surveyed with as much care
and skill, and all contracts examined
By competent railroad builders with the
same scrutiny as to proper cost, as
though it were : OF nn"h greateg