The morning call., 1894-08-02

proposed, the same following the course of
the Merced River large portion of the
distance.
Merced has for some time labored under
several disadvantages. 1t has been handi-
capped by a railroad to the west, and also
by The Stockton and Oakdale road, whc h
carried a great deal of business to Stock
ton which geographically should have
found its way to MERGED. The Raymond
ana Yosemite road also took trade away,
and the county has in large measure suf-
fered from the eXOrbitant tolls charged on
the highways.
When the Crocker- II uffman Land and
Water Company constructed its system OF
irrigation, in which millions were spent,
it was suImised that prosperity would
through the newly opened avenue; but
these surmises were not realized in any
material degree, and il seemed for time
as if even this conception would ultimately
prove but burden to its originatOrs.
The plan proposed for the construction
of the road spoken OF embraces another
feature OF pOrtance aside from the road
itself. 1t is proposed to make the project
also the medium through which the city of
Merced, and ultimately others, shall re-
ceive the necessary electric supply to fur
pish all power. light, ETC., required in the
city.
The necessary horsepower is to be OBJ
tained from dam already constructed
(and TO which 1t is proposed to build an ad-
dition) at Merced Falls, twenty-five miles
from Nterced, and where q large electric
power plant will also be built.
There is expended In the city of Merced
at present, it is eslima Led, at least $50, 900
year for about 800 horsepower, that be-
ing the amount now In use. 1t is proposed
by the projectors of the electric line to
supply the city with 1000 horsepower, or
700 horse power more than it now receives,
for the sum of $4,000 year, this being a
reduction of 30 rer cent in cost price. not
to mention the 700 horse power absolutely
given the city in perpetuity.
The plan suggested by which this addi-
tional horsepower can be made of great
utility to the city of Merced Is that 1t
should be offered 10 manufacturers and
others free of cost as an lnducement to es-
tablish their business In Merced.
The proposed road is not mere sugges-
tion, as all the surveys for il have been
made, maps prepared and similar work
performed, and 1t s expected TO begin ac-
tive work Immediately. with the object in
view of reaching Smelling with the line by
the 1St of Septe Ibe projectors are
now negotiating for the necessary iron.
The road will be used for both freight
and passenger service, will be electric, as
heretofore stated, narrow gauge, similar
10 construction to the San Maieo line, and
it is expected that speed of twenty miles
an hour will be made with ease by the
passenger-trains. Locomotive motors will
be used separately from the cars, aud one
passenger and combination car will COM
prise train. The train service will be
regulated by the traffic. and it is expected
to do all the freight business at night.
The estimated cost of the road is $I5, 900
a mile. or about 81. .000,0 in full.
Nature has favored such project in
remarkable way by the formation of
well-defined ledge at comparatively uni
form altitude, and which follows the Mer-
ced River almost the entire distance to be
traversed. This will 0bviate the difficulty
of heavy grades, which would otherwise
render such an undertaking imprac-
ticable.
The present sort of travel to the Yo-
semitic is not inc considerable, and is prob
ably one reason why only about one Cali
fornian in fifty has ever seen this, one of
natures most beautiful creations. The
stage fare alone amounts to about S35 for
the round trip, which consumes over If
teen hours of almost continuous riding.
1t is claimed that the round-trip rate on
the new line will not exceed So at the out
side figure, and that the distance will be
made in about three hours. The plans of
the projectors contemplate the running of
excursions from the city by which bust
ness man can leave here on Saturday,
spend Sunday in the Yosemite and return
in time for business Monday morning.
Along the line of the proposed road lies
the celebrated Mariposa grant, in which
are located number of towns, which can
OF but be- benefited by the enterprise
Among them are Smelling, Merced Falls,
Marip0sa, Bear Valley, Coultervile ami
Hornitos, and in this territory are located
any number of bonded gold claims,
which are only prevented from being
worked by the exDensiveness of power,
for viii h this line, with its resources in
that respect, will at once offer remedy.
Figuring on a conservative basis, it is
estimated that from 5000 to 5000 persons
yearly visit the Yosemite under present
conditions, and that this number could
easily bs Increased to $4,000 year if favor