The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1891-12-10
An Interesting Letter From
n. A. Patterson.
Some New Views Presented for Pub
lie Consideration.
The Great Need Of More Railway Fa.
ciIities Plainly Pointed Out.

ton to those already stated 10y all who
have written and talked on the subject.
First, what we call the Cumberland
Gap road, as surveyed, passes across
the net work of ridges in the county
cutting them at an angle of about
forty-fye degrees, and will supply the
leading valleys crossed depot or
freight station, each, which will give
to fully half the territory of the county
short delivery facilities for getting to
market; whereas, now the farmers OF
that territory expend about three times
as much in the cost OF marketing their
surplus product as do the same num-
Der of their brother farmers located
within five miles OF the E. 7. Y. e G.
railroad. This extra expense in twenty
years will more than double the
100000 olbonds with accrued interest
To the benefit of the county generally,
the road Gas | have shown in former
artcles) will create new property
along the line and 50 enhance the
taxable value OF adjacent real estate
as to Increase the revenues to
about enough to equal the interest on
the bonds; and the county receives
stock in the road which promises TO
equal or exceed par value before
the bonds have matured,
Therefore ought not the county,
as body, to thus favor its
large number of citizens who now have
to haul their products across hills and
valleys long distance to reach market
towns; especially while thus extend
ing needed favor, il secures full in
demnity in the form of stock certif-
Gates and increased sources ofrevenue.
Second, as has already been stated,
first; for labor in building the road at
good wages; second the increased
demand for timber and, also, for pro
visions for laborers, and feed for draft
stock, will amount to many thousand
OF dollars, and third the new indus
tries that will spring up along, and be-
cause of the roads will be worth to the
county as new source OF fixed wealth
not less than the full aggregate OF
bonds with interest added. Third
what is said as to the road being built
through the county whether the bonds
are voted or not, is not true. In point
OF fact, the road can form its north
e.stern connection by going up the
H ,lston Valley and through Sullivan
county, and thence either by way OF
Bristol or Bluff City, and actually save
$4,000 or more or they can do this
come up the Holston Valley to Kings'
port and thence along the line OF the
Three C's road to Johnson City. Thi.
would not add one cent to the value
OF freight facilities or to increased
value of real estate in the county
except, that it would be worth from
$4OC 900 to 100000 to Johnson City
value which will be added, because
OF the road, if it comes either way. Ii
that view Johnson City voters might
sit still and wait for the good fortune
to roll to them, but, for the 1ange
that the line be located via Bluff Cit,
Oh Bristol.
Fourth, the new road will be wortl
thousands Of dollars each year be
cause of reduced railroad freight OF
all shipments either South, Southwest
or East for the reason, that this ney
inc will compete with the E. I. V.
= r. R., and also, to some extent wit
lie 3-C's road when completed
f pecially to or from the Western
md Southwestern markets, will thi
new road compete with the Il. L. "
i. and cause lowering Of freigh
Les. If therefore, the voters of tn
9unty desire to grant a special favo
70 the +. T. V. & G. let them vote
very big No to the bond question.
What have id as to the Cumbe
rand Gap road applies almost wit
equal force t the Chucky Valley roaC
There is this difference; The Chuck
Valley road will be built along I'll
proposed route whether the bonds ~
voted or not.
But negative vote will most like
delay the building for years, and lea,
highly valuable ores and timbers to r
main unused and undeyeloped an
the farmers along that rich foothilI Sc
ton, to whip their teams, over mudd
roads, IN taking one small load OF pr
duce to market per day, instead
three or four big loads each day. TIL
road, in twenty years, will be wort
half million OF dollars to the count
and its people. Ought the county
secure its early building by extendir