The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1897-08-14
HASEY,S REPORT
On the Probable Cost of Engineering a
Road from Little Rock to the
Missouri Line.

Road from Little Rock to the
Missouri Line.
From the Little Rock Democrat.
j. H. Haney, appointed by Governor
Jones as chief engineer for the proposed
line of state railway to be built ander
the provisions of the Bush bill, has sub
mitted to the governor the following
estimate of the probable cost of
engineering railroad from Little Rock
to the Missouri state line, at point
presumably near the White river:
1.-The distance will approximate 100
miles, and it is quite certain that not
less than 500 miles of instrumental
surveys will be required to arrive at a
final location or choice of the route.
"A thorough reconnaissance covering
the entire area of possible divergences
of routes between the two terminals
should not cost exceeding 5000. To
save time and expense the party engaged
in this work should be provided with a
light moving camping outfit. The work
of location would not necessarily wait
upon the reconnaissance. as there will be
comparatively plain sailing on the first
twenty or thirty miles out from Little
Rock. which could be definitely located
and put under construction within a
few days after the locating party enters
the field.
1.-The probable cost of location to the
point of adoption of definite route will
approximate $16,0 900. This will in
clude complete engineering and camp
ing equipment and subsistence of the
party in the field. The route being
settled upon the final adjustment of the
line can be made by the regular
engineering staff of the road in advance
of and during construction. The cost
of engineering the construction to
completion of track laying, including
field and Office equipments, is estimated
at $50, 900. This estimate, however,
may vary one way or the other, as
much as rs per cent. and may even ex-
coed as much as so per cent, depending
upon the diligence with which the work
is prosecuted by the state, as well as
the development of at present unknown
difficulties in the way Of the construc-
ton. While on this subject permit me
to make few observations which seem
to me to be pertinent to the occasion,
and worthy of the serious consideration
of the state board.
1.-The future success of the system of
railroads which the board is now about
to inaugurate will depend very largely
upon their economic location. The
Importance of this fact cannot be
exaggerated. Notwithstanding the saw
ing of labor by the use of the state IS
convicts and the advantage of exemption
from taxation. if these roads are to
compete successfully with existing lines
owned by experienced, powerful and
wealthy allies, whose aim will be to
crush out all competition, the most
careful attention must be given to their
alignment and grades. Every possible
degree of curvature must be eliminated,
and every possible foot of ascent re-
duced or so distributed as to secure the
lowest possible cost of operation Much
time must, therefore, be given to the
selection of the final locations through
the mountainous parts of the State. 1t
is case in which it may be truly said
that the equivalent of millions of in
vested capital may be saved by the ex-
penditure of a few additional thousands
in the preliminary work of the engineer
corps, who should have ample time and
means for the study of the topographic
al features of the country to be ira
versed by each and every railroad pro-
posed to be built by the State,