The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-11-27

tors received by the Richmond and Allie
ghany Railroad Company show that Major
Temi,le's estimate of 100000 from Rich
mond to Lynchburg approXimates correct
ness. thought it safest, however, consid-
ering local conditions and the advance in
bridge irons. to add % per cent, or $780,
900, AZ above.
The Richmond and Allegheny Railroad
| Company also received bids for the work
between Lynchburg and Buchanan, and l
suppose Mai or Temples estimate-S200,-
o00-waS more or less nearly based upon
these bids. I,however, in consideration OF
local conditions and the increased price OF
bridge irons, deemed it prudent to add 40
per cent. or 100000, as above.
This l did also from recollection OF the
report of William JoIiffe, chief engineer,
dated November Z, 1878. made after actual
examinations and measurements, on deh-
mite location, by my directions. This re-
port, now in hand, satisfies me that my
estimate Of 100000 is approximately cor
rect.
The graduation, masonry, and trestes on
the Buchanan and Clifton Forge railway
have been let to Mason, Shanahan IL HoSe,
so that it is now demonsLrable that my eSti-
mate OF $4,000 for the line from Buchanan
to Clifton Forge is about sufficient.
1t has been claimed that Major Temples
estimate OF $40, 900 for the Lexington branch
will suffice. II so, the $4,000 here added
by me can be carried to the account OF better
construction of that part of the line between
Lynchburg and Buchanan.
4 prospectus issued last summer by GER
| tain gentlemen desiring to promote a
scheme for building this road contains in
| its estimate OF cost the following item !:
" Contract (ofIered) for grading, track-lay-
ing, bridging, ties, ballast, &c.-s7O0, ,O0O.'
| am aware, too, that certain gentlemen
now claim that my estimates for sub.struc.
turc are excessive. I hope this is true, but,
after careful investigation, observation,
and reflection, ] adhere TO them as being,
| in my opinion, very nearly correct. l am
solicitous to err, if it all, on the safe side,
ami have estimated for good road, reason
ably protected from high waters.
| TRACK.
For main stem, Lexington branch, and
sidpgs, 275 miles in all, allow $4,000 per
mIleStotal, 1850, 900; which is sl37, 800 in
excess OF Major Temples estimate, and
| about S3O0.O00 in excess Of Mr.. Parsons 5
original estimates.
For each mile OF track allow
sOl-7 tons steel rail Isl lbs. 10 the ward,
being 'at estimated for by Major Tenn
pleJ al $780,. a2 d2
$500 cross-ties At 80 cents ............. SoQ 0u
Track layinG. 3U2o 3U2o no w
Ballast, &C., tayerascl.. 400 oo
$4,000 90
or course the character OF the rail,
whether steel or iron, and its weight, must
he considered, together with the price, in
determining the cost Of the track. 1f the
nrice continues to advance, it may be neccs-
sarv to modify the character or weight OF
the rail (which may, perhaps, be adVanta.
eeously done) in order 10 keep the cost OF
track strictly to my estimate OF $4,000 per
mile.
| OTHER ITEMS.
| Three hundred and fifty thousand dollars
will procure O good equipment forearller
operations, and as the business. grows any
additional equipment needed Will be easily
procured without the use of mortgage
bonds, as indeed, very likely, might the
initial equipment Of S350,000.
The right OF way attaching to the cana
! renders it reasonably certain that S2oo'aW
is ample for lands, buildings, connections
and tanks.
The allowance of S5O,OOO for engineering
and general administration is ample, espe
cially IL the work is to be done, as proposed
| under the auspices OF the James River ant
Kanawha Company.
The provision ta reserve fund, in money
OF $500, 900 on Interest account is perhap
unusual, buts is certainly, desirable. Th
amount is believed to be sufficient to NEE
the contingencies OF construction and OF tn
Development Of business.
The allowance for debts OF the two com
panies will suffice to meet the requirement
Of that compromise adjustment which it /
confidently believed can be consummatedi
the city OF Richmond so wills 1t.
i / unhesitatingIy reaffrm my belief tha
the "estimates of cost" given on page
lie Interests afford reasonably reliable ba
sis for plans and conclusions.
HOW is THE MONEY TO BE RAISED?
Major Johnston next addressed himse
10 the very important question OF ralsin
the "a, 300 ,0o0 necessary TO be raised In 81
] der to build the road. 1t was matter .