NA, MC 3/26/1863

Adjutant Generals Department

Rail Road Bureau C. S. A.
Hd. Qtrs. Jackson Miss. Mch 26th 1863
 
Walter Goodman Esqr.
Prest. Miss. Central RRd
 
Sir,
   Your favor of the 23d inst relative to the settlement of your accounts reached me today; and yesterday your application, made Feby 21st to Maj. L. Mims Chf Q. M., at this place, was referred to my department for consideration. The position I occupy does not warrant a discussion, on my part, of the right of the Mississippi Central Railroad to fix its own rate for Government transportation, nor do I consider it necessary to enter into one. I cannot address the tariff of any Company without the consent of the Secy of War, nor do I think he will without my recommendation. When I make application to him for any increase I must satisfy him by figures, that he can understand, of its necessity. These figures, I apprehend, you can give without difficulty, as from the terms of your letter, I judge that ??ome of your road bears ??? reasonable proportion to its expenses. This inference is drawn from your assertion that your Company ??? will be compelled to discontinue trains and discharge employees soon if the Govt does not advance your rates. An expedient I am sure you would not adopt as long as your receipts and expenses exhibit a ??? nett income. In every case where increased rates have been asked ??? I have requested the application made in writing stating in the communication the gross and nett earnings of the applicant for the past year & how much of it was from Govt. Also the prospect for business for the ensuing year and the Capital Stock of the Company. I have been careful to avoid asking information as to points business of companies. Confine yourself to such questions as will be answered in the annually published reports.
   But you desire the matter settled now, and so does the Govt. hence the ??spity of my asking this information that will enable me to judge of the reasonableness of making an advance. The willingness you express "to enter into an agreement with the Govt. for the transportation of all persons and articles it may desire to transport," manifests a proper spirit and your desires will meet with corresponding fairness when I am placed in possession of the required data, without which I cannot approach the Secy. of War. In your letter of Feby 21st to Maj Mims you refer to a tariff adopted by the convention at Augusta Ga. and state that "it was there determined and assented to by the Officer of the Govt. calling the convention." I beg to correct this impression, for I not only declined acquiescing, but expressly stated to the Convention that I should, as I afterwards did, report to the Secy of War adversely to its adoption. The consequence was that the action of this body was ignored by the Govt. and the old rates as agreed on by roads at Columbia still obtain. I also mentioned at the same time and in connection with my objections to a uniform rate of all roads, that the case of each Company should be considered on its individual merits, a policy in harmony with your views as I gather them from your letters.
   Your cars I am having returned to the N.O.J.&G.N. RRd {New Orleans, Jackson & Great Northern RR} as fast as possible, and have directed probably thirty towards Grenada in a week. The int??te connection between your road will no doubt secure their prompt return without further interference on my part. It is very much to be desired that every road should keep its cats on its own track. There is no other plan by which the present limited supply of rolling stock in the Confederacy can be maintained and I trust it will be generally adopted.
   I had expected to see you before leaving this section {end of the letter in the Archives. It was clearly written by Col. Wadley.}

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