Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-07-30
COST OF CONSTRUCTION.

anything like the aScertainment OF actuaI
figures by survey or other like means.
The commission confined its inquiries
therefore to such sources of information
as were open to 1t without serious ex-
pense. They have concluded and beg leave
to report that a first-class standard rail-
road can be built on a grade of per cent
eoutheastward from Atlanta to the
region of the tertiary formation,
and a grade of six-tenths of l per cent
from there to the sea, with four-de-
gree curvature, at a cost of $36,650 per
mile; that a proper allowance in addition
to this to cover the cost Of maintaining
the grading during the first two years
and ballasting the road thereafter should
be 5000 per mile; that such a road can
be thoroughly equipped at a cost of 49,
900 per mile additional; and that complete
and elaborate terminals can be acquired
or constructed for an additional sum OF
$4,000 per mile. The commission appends
hereto a tabulated statement covering the
details of these expenditures.
From the amounts given, reductions
are possible as may be determined upon,
according to the items that may be omit
ted entirely or reduced in quality.
CONVICT LABOR AT LESS COST.
by the use of convict labor, the cost
for grading, ballasting, track-laying and
surfacing can, in the opinion Of the COM
mission, be reduced about $1,000 per mile.
1.-The figures reported do not include
any allowance for interest and discount
during the first two years. 1t is the opin-
ion of the commission that such allow
ance should be made and that it should
be treated as chargeable to capital &C.
count or cost of construction.
1.-The commission is further OF the opin-
ion, and so report, that such a road can
be counted upon to produce a volume Of
business during the fourth year of $1,000
per mile and that the same can be OPP
Grated on a ratio of 20 per cent.
THE commission is further of the opin-
ion that the most economical source OF
funds for such work is in bonds issued
upon the credit of the state.
MED PRELIMINARY SURVEY.
1.-THE commission Is further of the opin-
ion that before any final and accurate
estimate can be made, preliminary sur
vey will be necessary, and that a reliable
survey of this character will cost from
$40, 600 to $4,000
1.-The commission recognizes the fact
that it is not within the scope of its du-
ties to make any recommendation to the
general assembly. Nevertheless, the con-
sideration of the subject has so forcibly
brought to it's attention the conditions
state at or before the termination of the
present lease, and has so impressed upon
it the present inability of the state to pro-
tect it's interests, that we feel constrained
to suggest that the general assembly might
find it advantageous to acquire further
and more exact information, and to put
the state in a position where it can obtain
the means for adopting a policy of con-
struction If it should hereafter think such
course wise or necessary.
Respectfully submitted by the COM
mission.
(Signed)
HOOPER ALEXANDER,
Chairman.
GEORGE DOLE wADLEY,
Secretary.
81. D. HOWARD.
paul TRAMMELL,
&C. w. BRANTLEY.
"H. J. FULLBRIGHT.
JOEL HURT.
''W. H. BURWELL."