Salt Lake City, U. T.
July 17. 1869.
To the Hon. the President and Board of Directors of the
U. P. R. R. or their Representatives.
Gentlemen:-
Permit me to call your attention to the following particulars, and to solicit your favorable consideration thereon.
There are certain points on the line of Road which I worked under very disadvantageious circumstances, owing to the delay in not locating the line at the time specified;-- I continued the work however at the instance of Vice President T. C. Durant, who assured me that my expenses would be cleared, and, as the Engineers have no authority to decide on the prices, therefore, I present my claim to your honorable Body.
The first point to which I shall direct your attention is the Masonry in the Weber Kanyon,-- built in the depth of winter owing to the delay mentioned. We paid Six dollars per day for single teams to haul the rock, but immediately after we commenced, the Company offered Ten Dollars per day for single teams, consequently we were compelled to pay the same or stop the work. On account of frost, fires had to be kept constantly burning on the piers and the mortar beds; the days were short, and a day's work was six or seven hours instead of ten, and the lime had to be purchased in this market at a cost of from 85 cts to One dollar per bushel. Now the fixed price for masonry is only fifteen dollars per yard, while for the reasons stated it actually cost twenty two.
The Tunnels:-- These were let for Black Limestone, instead of which, when opened they proved to be a very hard rock. The contract price was fifteen dollars per yard, but it will take not less than five dollars more per yard to meed the actual expenses.
Slate point, Duncan's point, and Dry Creek point:-- These were also worked in the winter, owing to the delay mentioned; and to keep out of the way of the track layers, the men were worked in three shifts of eight hours, instead of two shifts of ten, involving a loss of two hours per day on every man, besides the expense of wood hauling for firelight and the disadvantage of night work. One dollar extra per yard on these three points would no more than barely cover the extra expense.
There is also some heavy work at the Head of Echo not fully allowed, the charge for which is included in the accompanying Account.
The work west of my contract is I consider well worth 40¢ for earth and 60¢ for cart work as it was done in winter.
The accompanying Account amounting to $274.250.98 includes all my claims additional to the amount credited to me per Final Estimates; but there are a very few cases where the Engineers classification is objected to, which when brought to your notice I shall feel obliged if you will look into.
Mr Ellerbeck will present the Account, and, with Mr Sharp will give any explanations required.
Respectfully Yours,
Brigham Young