Mexico weekly ledger., 1891-10-01
MEXICO'S NEW UNION DEPOT.
The Chicago 4 Alton Company Says,
Under Existing Circumstances.
1t Does Not Care to In
crease Its Property
Values in Mis-.
souri,.

II the Editor of the Ledger.
THE CHICAGO & ALTON r. L. Co.,
CHICAGO, ILL, Sept. 29th.-DEAR
SIR: Answering your kind favor of
September 25th, in which you state:
prominent citizens of Mexico al
most daily ask me concerning a new
depot here. Our business men would
like to know what they could do in
the premises to secure a new depot.
How much would a new Union Depot
cost? Would you expect any portion
of the amount to be paid by our peo-
ple9 If so, how much? I wish you
would write me something in regard
to this matter so that I al answer
intelligently the many questions
which 1 am asked"
No one a give an intelligent
opinion as to the cost of a new de-
pot at Mexico until the plans and
specifications are prepared and an
estimate made from them. As this
question has not been up before the
management, there is no data upon
which to base an opinion. The Pres
ident would not expect your citi-
zens to bear any portion of the ex-
pense should he at any future time
decide it was necessary to join the
Wabash in building at Mexico.
Your business men can do more
towards securing a new station
house by demanding and securing
fair treatment for the men, women
and children, who depend upon rail-
way investments for a support, than
any other way.
! If you will look over the last as
sessment made by your State Board
you will at once conclude that the
Chicago & Alton has not been SO
treated in Missouri as to warrant
any increase of the taxable property
of the Company in your State. The
line between Mexico and Kansas
City cost in 1878 and 70, about
S 100000. It's value was assessed
at S2.S36,26S. Was any other
property in your State assessed at a
figure as near its cost as this ?
Not only does railroad property
in your State seem to be greatly dis
eliminated against as compared with
other property, but the Chicago &
Alton has been more imposed upon
in this respect than any other rail.
road line. From Kansas City to
Louisiana the c. & A. Railroad was
valued oy the Assessors at S17,250
per mile. The main line of the
Hannibal & St. Joe was valued at
l$16,195, although the Oldest line
and with more valuable terminals.
The main line Of the Wabash was
valued at S15,115 the main line Of
the Santa Fe at S12,575 ; the main
line of the Rock Island at Sl2,31O.
In fact,tl main lines of all railroads
in the State was valued by the
assessors at a much lower figure
than the Chicago & Alton, with the
single exception Of the main line Of
the Missouri Pacific, but the total
valuation of that line averages only
$4,000 per mile, against a total
valuation Of $4,000 per mile on
the G. &. r. r.
New station houses will only in
crease the already heavy taxes, with
out adding to the earning capacity
of the property of the Company.
Please accept my thanks for the
kindly spirit in which you wrote,
and believe me, the management of
the Chicago & Alton will always be
willing to favor the resident patrons
Of the road when it can be done con-
sistently with the interest of those
who have invested in the stock of
the Company.
Very Truly Yours,
j. II. WOOD,
General Managers Assistant.