Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-06-25

This is the Estimate Given by Sub
Committee of Commission
Hooper Alexander Thinks Elk
pense Would Be Smaller.

With the use of free labor exclusively.
the Western and Atlantic railroad can be
extended from Atlanta to the sea at
cost to the state Of approximately Sl1.65e
per mile, according to estimates of the
subcommittee to which the question was
referred by the state road extension conf
mission. The report was submitted to
meeting Of the commission. which was
held Thursday at noon. at the capitol
The members of the subcommittee are
Hooper Alexander, George Dole Wadley
and Joel Hurt.
The subcommittee estimates that the
per mile cost could be reduced by 5000
with the use OF convict labor.
The report follows:
REPORT IN FULL
ATLANTA, June ~ 1909.
To the Commission for Investigating the
Feasibility of Extending the Western
and Atlantic Railroad:
The subcommittee appointed for that
purpose have considered the querticsls re-
ferred to them and report that a railroad
Of the scope contemplated can be built
and equipped in the best style and WIKI
free labor at a total cost of 1850 per
mile. according to detailed estimates here
with.
Reductions are possible as may be de-
termined on from these items.
The entire amount includes an allow
ance for terminals in Atlanta of 81, 100000
and at the port of $2.50O.Oo0. The latter
includes grain elevators. storage ware
houses. docks and wharves. electric light
and power plants. gas making plants and
miscellaneous structures.
1t was the opinion of the committee that
the total could be reduced by the use
Of convict LABOR 5000 per mile, chiefly in
grading, ballasting. track laying and sur
facing.
These figures do not include an allow
ance for interest and discount for the
first two years, which allowance should
be provided for.
The committee was further Of the opin-
ion that the road might safely rely upon
| a volume Of business of 5000 per mile
/ for the first year, $500 for the second
and 5000 for the third and an operating
ratio OF 70.
The committee are OF the opinion that
the best and most economical source of
funds for said work is by borrowing on
the credit of the state and issuing bonds.
The committee had no means at their
command adequate for a full investigation
and have relied, therefore, chiefly and al
most entirely upon Mr.. Wadley's eslf-
mates made in the light of his experiences
in the construction of the A. B. and A.
railroad. For these reasons the commits
tee are of the opinion that before any
final and accurate estimate is made there
should be preliminary survey. which can
be made at a cost of ten to fifteen thou
sand dollars.
Mr.. ALEXANDER DISSENTS.
| Mr.. Alexander submitted the following
as his individual views on the questions
To the Commission for Investigating the
Feasibility of Extending the Western
and Atlantic Railroad:
| I desire to make this individual express
sion Of opinion. With great respect for
Mr.. Wadley's ability and judgment. I
think further inquiry should be made as
to cost. The conclusions Of the COM
mittee fix an estimate so far beyond
what is usually supposed to be the ex-
pense of such works and so much beyond
the usual capitalization and valuation Of
railroads, that I cannot assent at this
\ time TO the suff1clency Of the data
would particularly refer to the fact that
the A., B. and A. crosses the lines OF
drainage throughout its entire length The
proposed road will follow them. Numerous
roads have been built and equipped in
Georgia at a total cost per mile less
than what is estimated by the COMMITTEES
| for bridges and trestles.
| II is my opinion that this commission
should, II possible, adopt means for OBJ
tanning exact information before finally
adopting these conclusions.
| TENTED COST OF ROAD.
Appended below is an itemized account
of the estimated cost: