REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS AND EVIDENCE TAKEN BY THE COMMITTEE ON MINES AND MINING OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED STATES, IN REGARD TO THE SUTRO TUNNEL, TOGETHER WITH THE ARGUMENTS AND REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDING A LOAN BY THE GOVERNMENT IN AID OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF SAID WORK.

Washington, D.C. M'Gill & Witherow, 1872. [8], 66, 988 pp. Light foxing. Bound in red pebbled cloth, with gilt-decorated title and decoration on front cover, gilt-lettered spine title. All edges gilt. Minor wear, Very Good.

Sutro, a mining engineer, became fabulously wealthy by accomplishing the difficult task of building a tunnel though the Nevada mountains. He moved to San Francisco, ran for Mayor in 1894 on the Populist Ticket, and served as such from 1895-1897, the second Jew to hold that office. His battle with the Railroad Barons over Congressional support of Sutro's tunnel led to his anti-monopoly antagonism against Huntington and the other Pacific Railroad magnates. "This voluminous tome includes Sutro's famous Piper's Opera House speech, made in 1869, in which he gives the details of his fight to build the Sutro Tunnel. Adolph Sutro [1830-1898] was one of the most talented. fascinating, and prominent figures in California Jewish history" [Stern].
The book is a special edition of Executive Document 15, 42nd Congress, 2nd Session, probably intended for presentation to interested parties and investors. In addition to recommending the federal loan, the work gives a discussion of its feasibility, cost, construction time, benefits to the mines, etc. Paher describes this as "prime source material."
The Sutro Tunnel begins at Virginia City, Nevada and empties approximately 6 miles southeast near the town of Dayton, Nevada. On October 19, 1869, work began near Dayton. On September 1, 1878, the tunnel connected with the Savage Mine.
Paher 2028. Stern 232. Item #37354

Price: $600.00

See all items by