The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-08-01
RAILROAD OF THE STATE
EXTRACTS FROM THE REPORT OF
THE COMMISSION.

6lOnerS.
ATLANTA. GA, July 31.-The report of
the commission to appraise the Western and
Atlantic railroad was given to the press to-
day. A summary of its important points
is given below.
The roadbed between Atlanta and Chatta-
nooga is in fine condition. Most of the
road was originally graded for double track,
and the cuts and sand entertainments are of
full width and well preserved.
About eighty-six miles of the main line of
the road is ballasted, mostly with rock bal
last and partly with clinkers. About TWEEN
tv-one miles of side track is ballasted with
clinkers.
The crosSties are in good order and in full
number. and will require only yearly re
pewal which is being attended to, to make
good these becoming defective each year.
The sidings at Atlanta and Chattanop IA
and along the road are in good order, as
well as the ties
The surface and alignment of the road
are good and in fine condition.
STEEL RAILS.
From the initial point at the southern or
east end of the passenger depot Mt Atlanta, to
near the first mile post, l,543 yards of
main track was laid with steel rails, weigh
ing 81 pounds 20 the square yard betwe
1850 and 1883, at different periods. In the
first l543 yards is comprised the freight
yards. and all other such tracks about the
shops and freight house, and the estimate
of the iron IS included under the head OF
sioings
From the south or east end OF the At
lauta passenger depot to the north or west
end of the passenger depot at Chattanooga,
a distance Of l37 miles and II yards, tn 9
main line of track i, laid with steel rail,
weighing 81 pounds to the yard, except
about threeauarters of a mile between
the l2lst and 122 d mile posts which is
laid with rail weighing 80 pounds to the
yard.
rail, and sos yards OF 5O-pound steel rail is
laid on the sidings, all of which was laid in
years and lengths as per the accompanying
table.
WHEN AND WHERE LAID
We also submit table B, which shows
when and where the steel rail on the main
line was laid We could not, without great
trouble and expense, furnish information
as to where the eight miles and l20 yards of
steel rail was laid on sdings As general
rule. it was laid on the ends of turnoutS and
at points where trains passed most fire.
quentl. and in the yards at Atlanta and
Chattanooga.
One other table CO. shows the length of
time each section of steel rail has been in
use, with its present value, assuming that
steel rails under the tonnage of this road
will last 1875 years, or wear out in value
and weight per cent. of its life per year.
Attached thereto is a statement table ID
showing the number Of miles, tons, etc, of
iron rail in side tracks, with its value, and
also the number of spices, bolts, etc, and
pounds of spikes, with their value in the
main line and side tracks; also the value and
number of the crosstieS, cost of laying the
srani of apA fhO l,pp1 har of nilac Of hal
last in the main line and side tracks, the
total OF which gives the value of the super
structure of the road.
The following are the schedules: A, loco
motives S307, 400; B. cars of every kind,
S379, sos; c, tools and machinery in motive,
car andsrailway department, $40,0l1 81; d,
supplies in car, machine and railway do
partment, sl3. 173 "a; E, wood and ties on
hard So 1850; f, depots, buildings and lots,
1927, $40; G., Office furniture, fixtures etc,
S9.922; Ii, tanks, engine pumps, etc,
S13.920; j, shanties, $3.50; j, watchmen
houses 81 900: K, transfer holster $500; J.,
bridges, etc, $10S, OPS; NJ houses and lots
S12,5U0 N, value of track, S73S, 1871 81
changing the guage $26, 200; fencing the
road, "a 400; ditching at Swamp creek,
$500; estimated value of grading, clear
ing, grubbng, bridge and culvert masonry
including tunnel on 1877 40 miles of main
line, which includes the cost of grading on
% miles of side track, 81, TAI 900; grading
of 81 miles new side track, $40, 900; real
estate in Chattanooga and on the line of
the road 81 900, 900; real estate in Atlanta,
$500, 600; present total value, 6,064, 139 o.
ON THE BASIS NET OF EARNINGS.
Schedule p shows the value of the road
based upon its net earnings, estimating net
at IS per cent. of the gross OK the Western
and Atlantic railroad for the years 1884 to
1887 inclusive during which time the road
has been in competition with the East Ten
nessee, Virginia and Georgia railroad, as
follows: Freight, 50, 401, 775; passenger,
81, 06S, 994: total gross earnings for one year,
SLIT ,492.
The operating expenses of the road being
81 per cent of the gross earnings, leaves a
net profit of 80 per cent. of the average
gross earnings, which amounts to S426,-
ga SO, which is the interest at 5 per cent.
on IS, 492 $3.50, at 6 per cent. on 81 or, 449,
and at per cent. on 81, 066,3S5.
Schedule Q gives an estimate of the value
of the Western and Atlantic railroads
rolling stock and fixtures of all kinds when
received by the lessees. valued on the basis of
the present value of like things The show
ing is as follows: Value of superstructure
S4S4, $40 20; depot buildings, etc, S1l1 ,245;
office furniture and fixtures, S9i2, $50;
bridges, masonry, etc, S55, $50; locomotives
Sl54, 800; cars, $lSl $50; tools and machinery
in the motive, car and road departments,
500 ,26l tanks, etc, S6,970 watchmen's
houses, 81 900; houses and lots, $12, 800;
supplies in the machinery, car and road de
partments, S13, 173 "a; wood and ties on
hand, 1871, g., $50; houses for hands, S., $40;
1877 25 miles culvert, tunnel, ETC., 81, 14S. 900;
real estate in Atlanta, $500 900: real estate
in Chattanooga, $l,000,000; total value,
So, 1920. AL GA.
INCREASED VALUES.
Following is part of schedule q, showing
the increased values put on by the lessses,
for information and without recommended
ton: On track, including rails, ties and
ballast, 1854, 1872 IL depots and buildings at
Atlanta, Chattanooga and along the line,
SIG, 425; bridges, masonry, etc, $50, 065;
transfer hoist at Elizabeth, $500; locomo-
tives, $153,000; cars, sl9S, 225; tools and
machinery, $40, $50; grading in and about
Atlanta and side tracks on the line of road,
s27, AT 06; sidings valued at $4,000; Chat
tanooga track scales, $50; ditching, $500;
fencing, $4, 400; amount paid by lessees to
complete the passenger shed at Atlanta.
1892 80; total increased value by lessees,
$3.50, $50 "a.
REAL ESTATE HoLDIHGS
Schedule II shows the real estate along
the line Of the road with its value, which,
the commissioner thinks might be sold
without injury to the roads House and lot,