New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1907-07-06

ones that have not been so success
full. In fact, roads that have cost
under $50, 200 per mile have, in
nearly every case, proven less eff
cient aud less profitable than roads
that have os;'twice the amount.
The building Of road too cheap
ly absorbs the; eal ming for better
ments and maintenance to such an
extent that before it is made an at
tractive property, 1t becomes ueces-
sary to practically reconstruct the
eutire road, after which it becomes
IA paying property. While it is
showG that roads that have cost
$40 900 have been so we'll built as
to reduce the cost of maintenance
aud repairs to minimum, and
while the securities issued seemed
excessive. yet they have proven
profitable.
There is, however, due to practi-
cal experience, an aversion to
building roads at cost beyond
| their earning power aud those who
have ATTEMPTED to build a "silver
plated road" have found them
selves at as much disadvantage as
those who built very cheaply. The
happy medium of cost Of electric
roads, seems to be approximately
500 900 to $25, 900 per mile. The
cost of such properties varies ac-
cording to the localities and the
availability of supplies.
Along with the interurbon road
come the benefits that accrue not
only to urban towns but to those
of the rural districts, and it is we'll
that we add something for the
benefil Of the farmers whose lands
are used and without which the ad-
vent of electric systems through
out our country would be jmpossi-
| BILE.
1t would be interesting to know
how much electric roads have added
to the taxable values Of real estate.
La Indiana, Ohio and Michigan
lands have advanced from small
sums per acre to some very consi.
derable amounts. We know of
lands Immediately adjoining roads
out # Indianapolis that have ad-
vanced from $50 to $75 per acre
aud even greater; but we assume
that the average increase in values
is $40 per acre for distance of 3
miles on either side of a road.
The luterurban mileagein Indiana
on the basis of 1850 miles would
give an affected acreage Of $780,
600 at $l0per acre, showing bene-
fit to the Hoosier farmers of $685.
100000 For Ohio, the mileage
being 2 240 miles, would equal
8,60l 600 acres, on the same in
creased valuation amounts to $86,
0l6,000. Southern Michigan with
500 miles of road, 1920, 900 acres,
or an aggregate of $19, 200, 900. or
a grand total Of advanced land val
ues of $l69, SIG 900.
Assuming the assessed values
would be on the basis of so per
cent. or $82, ASS, 900, on the basis
Of 81 90, the taxes have been in-
creased to the farmers annually
$4,000.
At first thought the farmers
would feel the first electrical shock
at these figures, but it must be re-
membered that the roads which
cause this increased taxation, them
selves pay yearly in the same terri
tory as above referred to, the sum
of 1878, 900 in taxes, so that the
railroads in reality pay $5S,0
more taxes than the farmers are
a sessed. In other words the ac-
tual taxation is lessened to the
farmers by $58, 900 than he origin
ally paid aud he has his land val.
ues as bis benefits, in addition to
the added con venience of practical
ly owning his own railway that
stops III front of his door for a Eve.
cent fare.
Net only is this added convent
euee to the farmer personally, but
IT affords him the opportunity Of
sending his children ten or twenty
miles from home in the morning
10 attend school, TO return home
IN the evening in time for doing
The chores, aud instead of having
them nndar tho infinanna nf On nm