The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-01-09

I In TF-f-T a.. >
pended that, but for the high develop
| ment of the science involving the man
ufacture OF concrete and the discovery
of the ability of concrete thoroughly
! to asSimilate with coral rocks so that
the two substances would become one
/ complete rocklike body, in all prob
ability Mr. Flagler would not have
planned an oversee railroad which
would bring New York and Philadel-
phia or Kansas City so near Havana
| that a few hours ride by railway ferry
would make communication complete,
even without any break.
Mr. FIagler was able to say in the
last week of December, 1911, that the
last deposit of concrete into its speci-
fled place was made a little past mid
night on the day before Christmas; so
that it is possible to prepare schedules
for the running of through trains from
New York or Philadelphia, or of
through cars from Cincinnati or Kan
sas city to Key West without change.
Presumably these car are to be
placed upon great railway ocean ferry
boats so that the journey from these
cities or other parts of the United
States can be made to Havana with
out leaving the cars.
The engineers of Europe have now
for several years taken the greatest in
terest in the scientific features aSsOci-
sea railroad. When Mr.. F1agler's
plan was first discussed by the engin-
GERS of Great Britain they pronounced
it unfeasible. So, also, did many en-
might sink the entire Rocky noun
tains of Utah, or that belt of the
mountains which the Union Pacific
railroad bisects, into the Great Salt
lake and yet not find substantial
foundation for the causeway or via
duct which he purposed constructing
over that lake. Yet Mr.. Hartman
went ahead, exactly as Mr.. Flagler has
done. Both constructed vast cause
ways or ViaductS across broad reaches
of water. Mr.. Hartman was COM
PEELED to build up foundation from
what had popularity been supposed to
be bottomless inland sea. Mr.. Flag
Ter found the foundation for his line
in the vast coral formation which sur
rounds the Florida coast and which
constitutes much of the ocean bed of
the Caribbean sea.
Mr.. Flagler expects to journey from
Miami to Key West by the first train
operated over the completed railroad
some day in the latter part of Janu-
airy of this year. He will be unable to
see this railroad excepting as his men |
tai vision pictures it to him. It may !
be that the great strain, the constant
which his undertaking of
this enterprise has entailed, has af- |
fected his eyeSight. He still can per-
ceive family, but he can not discern |
objects and he is compelled to sign his
name by the feel of his pen. Mr. |
FIagler's friends, however, say that, al
though his eyes are almost Sightless,
yet he can see with wonderful men
tai VividnesS the entire work, for he
has had each detail of it described to
him, as we'll as its general appear
ince, and with these facts his magma
lion paints the work with the vivid
ness of dream.
The Commercial Feature.
If the doubling engineers have been
n pd 10 of
er's plans, men of finance and COM
nerce still remain in some doubt as to
he commercial advantage which will
'ollow the opening up of this new rail
Dad. But there was doubt, also, when
Mr. F1agler began the construction of
L railroad line paralleling the ocean
IN the east coast of Florida. AT this
ime the railroad is so choked or con-
rested with transportation of the prod
lets of Florida for northern markets
hat passenger trains are frequently
much delayed and, furthermore, this
rattle will undoubtedly compel the
aging of a second track in the course
If a few years. Mr.. Flagler expects
hat the construction of this railroad
will create a very large passenger and
reight traffic between the United
states and Cuba. Furthermore. the
completion of this railroad a year and
half ahead of the date now fixed for
he opening of the Panama canal to
Navigation will, Mr.. Flagler expects,
esult in q very large offering of traf-
ic to the railroad. Mr.. Flagler in the
,ast has made probably as few mis-
akes@so far as business undertakings
we're concerned=as it has been the
GOOD fortune of any man engaged in
arge business undertakings in the
United States to commit And it is in
10 small sense due to the great con
idence in his business judgment which
PREVAILS that our business men are now
trongly inclined to the opinion that
he extension of this coast line rail
Dad system to Key West will ulti-
natelv prove to be as wise a CONNER
ial undertaking as was his extension
# the railway from Jacksonville to
.Iiami Moreover, as was the case with
Henry H. Rogers, this railroad will re-
main a memorial exclusively Identify
ng the name of Henry NJ. Flagler with
Is concantion and construction.