Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1880-04-02
Brilliant Ciphering.

In its efforts to show something crooked in
the management of the narrow-g gauge rail
road, the Reformer has made itself the laugh
ing-stock of the public for some time past,
but last week it fairly outdid itself in the way
of either willful or ignorant laundering. We
did think We never would say another word
on this hackneyed subject, especially as all
matters pertaining to it have been fully set
tied to the satisfaction of all parties concern
ed, but the field is so inviting. we cannot re-
frain from puncturing a few of the wind-bags
of the Rcformer. The following are a few of
the material errors in its short mathematical
problem.
/. The length OF the main line is 35S in
stead of 3Gt miles, and is less than 81 miles
on the line built by the Reformer COM
meneing at point on the Valley road east of
Goodalrs house, nearly a mile and a half
north of West river bridge-so the Reform
er has built one line and the company quite
another.
?. The part built by Harris Bros. Il Co.,
at this end of the line, without sub-letting,
is 81 miles, instead of less than y miles as
stated.
3. The amount earned by Harris Bros,
as shown by the estimates, and stated in the
companys report, was Sl7l, 400 for sub
structure work and about S2G, 900 for equip
ment, fastenings, ties, buildings, etc. max.
ing over $780, COO in all, instead of Sill
1853 as the Reformer has it, quite a lively
ly little error J, the latter sum representing
what the contractors had paid out nearly
three months ago, when the executive COM
mittee made up their figures, and not either
the amount of the work done or the cost of
it.
1. 1t thus appears that the contractors,
instead of being overpaid $4,000, as the Re.
former charges, were actually undergrad over
81, 200 cash, which was the percentage re-
tanned by the company as provided in the
contract The company never at any time
advanced dollar to the contractors, or paid
them dollar beyond what they were COM
PEELED to do by their written agreement
Harris Bros. also kept back 10 per cent from
their sub-contractors, all of which has now
been paid in full
.. The amount paid Aver Il Co., was So
80, instead of Sc, $50; but this was typo
graphical error in the company's printed re-
port, and the Reformer is excused 1t is only
little item of $4,000 anyway
6. Not a single item in the Reformer's
statement of the amount paid for equipment,
fastenings, ties, &c, is correct, and the cost
of buildings, turntables, and materials for
same, is omitted entirely. As the company's
statement on all these points has been pub
lished there seems to be no excuse for such
total Misrepresentation of the facts.
= The Reformer charges up all the cost
of the work on this end of the line to grating
account, whereas about $4,000 of it went into
masonry, including the bank wall nearly
mile in length along the Valley railroad, but
not including the bridge masonry and bridges
at West river, as the Reformer insinuates.
s. Harris Bros. agreed to furnish 81, 600
ties, and have actually delivered 3G.G34,
which cost them a little over $1,000.
s. The Reformer charges the contractors
with So S14G0 for lumber and supplies ETC.,
besides the $50, OGO cash, whereas, the sum
first above named was received as cash, and
was inciuied in the $50, O6O-so there goes
another $4,000 nearly, at one fell swoop.
., The Reformer's estimate of what it
costs to blast out over 20, 900 cubic yards of
solid rock of the worst kind, to handle thirty
odd thousand yards of earth, to build 2jOO
yards of masonry, including 500 yards of rip
raps, and to do various other items of work,
is interesting and ingenious, no doubt, but
clearly not valuable as guide. We have Ply
no means exhausted the budget of errors in
its last issue, but We have pointed out enough,
We think, to show that the Reformer, as a
railroad expert and cipherer, is a sad failure
If it knew more, it would doubtless say less,
and profit greatly by the change.
What any sum the contractors may, or may
not have received from the iron parties, (this
amount is misstated, too has to do with the
accounts between Harris Bros. and the COM
pany, it is difficult to see. 1t seems to us, as
things now stand, to be an entirely outside
matter, with which neither the company nor
the public has anything to do. And whether
Harris Bros have made or lost much or little
is nobody's business, as it appears to us. Ey-
erybody except the Reformer admits that
they did honest and faithful work, and every
body knows that they have promptly paid all
their bills, and cleaned up all other bills for
the work, in way for which there is no
known parallel in the history of railroad
building and they have made final settle
ment with the company which was entirely
satisfactory, and that settlement has been APP
proved and ratified by unanimous vote of
the stockholders. For whom, then except
itself, does the Reformer speak, We can't
help thinking that the patrons of the Reform
er, if they depend entirely upon it for their
facts will in time get chock-full of very val
liable aud reliable information. 1t seems to
be wrestling with a problem altogether too
big for il.