The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1881-01-30
THE CONTINENTAL RAILWAY.


THE CONTINENTAL HALLWAY.
For several weeks it has been ru-
mored that a new railroad company
would organize for the purpose of build
ing q double track system of railroad
from New York to Omaha. At first
the undertaking was thought to be too
great for realization; some supposed
that it was the invention of stock
''bears." But it seems that the move
ment has taken practical shape, for the
New York Times of yesterday publish
ed the prospectus of the organization,
which is known as the Continental
railway company. (See BUR telegraph
dispatches this morning.)
Assuming that the company means
business and that it will build and
consolidate roads enough to reach
Omaha with double tracks, it becomes
an interesting matter to consider, first,
what will be the general effect Of the
road on commercep Second, are we to
derive any benefit from itp The latter
question is always one of paramount
Importance.
There can be no doubt that a double
track system Of railroad can transport
freight and passengers more rapidly and
cheapely than a single track. There
need be no special argument to prove
this. With a double track the capacity
of the road is simply immense. Train
after train car be sent out from either
end of the line, regard being had only
for the distance of the trains behind one
another. There is no fear OF collisions
from trains trying to pass each other
on the same track. Hence transporta-
ton can be carried on with wonderful
despatch. As a natural result it will
be cheaper, and the sequence will be
that the traffic Of the road will increase
wonderfully.
Right here a very important point
arises: AS the freight tariffs are re-
duced, the merchants of New York
and San Francisco will then be able to
ship goods and stuffs by rail that now
go around the Horn becau use of econ
omy. Right here is where the benefit
comes to the Pacific roads. They will
find their freight traffic increased by
reason of the reduced rates of the Con-
tinental railway company. 1t need
only be mentioned that increased traffic
on the overland roads simply means
increased gain to the people and prop
erty living along the line of the road.
But there is another feature of this
new road that concerns our welfare
moro nearly than the above. 1t prom
Uses increased benfts to our staple. in
dustry, stock-growing. Before stating
the point let us consider the present
method of handling cattle fog the for
eign markets. The cattle are shipped
from Wyoming on the cars of the
Union Pacific road. At Council Bluffs
they are changed into ears of another
line, which change figures as a consid-
cradle iteLl in the expense of getting
cattle to market. At Chicago the cat
tie are again unloaded. Here they are
sold to buyers for foreign markets, and
their price depends upon two things;
first, the rate of beef in Liverpool. and,
second, the cost of transportation from
Chicago to New York, and thence 10
England.
Now, suppose the Continental railway
were in operation, there would hut
one change of cars from Wyoming
to New York on cattle destined for
foreign markets. This would be at
Omaha or Council Bluffs. 1t stands to
reason that cattle can be shipped from
Omaha to New York, without change,
at a far less rate than at present. And
then it would be on adouble track, too,
thus escaping all the ve~xatious and
costly waits ut side tracks. There
would, of course be a large stockyard
at New York. The price Of cattle
would then be fixed upon at New York
hiSscuA v ShiSaSo. ~ ID ulhilllcStly W
the benefit of the producer to have the
prices of his products fixed upon as near
the place of consumption as possible.
And by this plan one class of middle
men would be disposed of, namely,
those at Chicago. At New York the
producers would be able to sell direct
to the exporters, and save for them
selves the profits that now go to one
class Of middle-men.
Besides. the cattle would be in u better
condition at New York by of
less handling than they are now, and
that fact, too, would innre to the ben
eft of the producers.
Take it all in all, the Continental
railway company means good for the
people of the west, and we should all
hail its success.