| Confederate States |
| Quartermaster's Department |
| Office Supt. Railroad Transportation |
| Richmond, March 8th 1865 |
| |
| Brig Genl A R Lawton |
| QM Genl |
| |
| General, |
| I have the honor to return two
telegrams from S. L. Fremont Supt Wilmington & Weldon RRd asking that
the rates for government transportation over that road be increased. |
| To previous applications of
the same character I have replied that before recommending an increase I
must be satisfied that the operations of the road demanded it, and asked
to be furnished with a statement of its earnings and expenses. I must
insist upon this, otherwise the government will have no voice in
establishing charges for transportation. It is not an unreasonable
request, for if a road should not be receiving a fair compensation it
can easily be established and the tariff regulated accordingly. I am
satisfied from a general knowledge of the cost of working a road that
the Wilmington & Weldon Co. is entitled to some increase, but the
measure of the in????? {fold in the document}
by having the information requested. |
| I am, General, |
| Very respy |
| Your obdt Sevt |
| F. W. Sims |
| Lt Col & QM |
| |
| {on back of document} |
| Chf Bu of War |
| File. Cannot be considered at present. |
| By Cmd Secy War |
| Saml W Melton AAG |
| 22 Mar '65 |
|