| From the Atlanta Intelligencer |
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| November 4, 1863 |
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| Report of the State Road {Western
& Atlantic RR} |
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The report of the business done by this road during the
fiscal year ending 30th September last, exhibits an immense profit to
the road, and reflects greatly on its management. Notwithstanding the
many obstacles that were in the way, the road was kept in running
order, and the rolling stock repaired sufficiently to meet the demands
made on it. From the report of the book keeper, it appears that the
earnings of the road were as follows:
|
| From passengers, and transportation of troops
and baggage |
$1,269,151.81 |
| From freight |
878,151.75 |
| From mails |
20,125.00 |
| From miscellaneous |
19,440.52 |
| The whole making a total of |
$3,186,869.08 |
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Of this large amount the Confederate Government paid in to the
Treasury the sum of $1,291,899.25, or more than one half of the entire
gross earnings of the road. A portion of this amount was due the year
previous, so that the road did not in fact make the large profit from
this year's business that has been reported.
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The expenses for working and maintaining the road have
been $688,171.33, leaving a nett profit of nearly one and a half
millions of dollars. What the business of the road will be the coming
year is at present merely a matter of conjecture, as the income
derived from the transportation of passengers and freight has greatly
decreased in consequence of the advance of the enemy, and their
occupation of Chattanooga. While our army remains at Chickamauga, the
road will be fully employed transporting troops and provisions, but
should they advance into Tennessee, the business will naturally
decrease until the bridges are rebuilt and the road repaired.
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Under the superintendence of G. D. Phillips, the affairs
of the road have been well and ably managed, and shows that its
control has been in good hands. To E. B. Walker, Master of
Transportation, the Confederate army is indebted for the prompt manner
in which troops have been transported, and to his untiring zeal and
activity the vast quantity of provisions used by the army, is daily
forwarded.
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There are many necessary improvements needed for the
road, but which in from ability to obtain, will have to be done away
with, or made in an inferior style to which it should be. These
drawbacks are owing to the continuation of the war, which prevents
necessaries from being imported.
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Although, the report of the State Road is highly
satisfactory, and exhibits the fact of competent men having the
control of it. It has put in the State Treasury this year the large
sum of $1,650,030, besides leaving in the hands of the Treasurer for
the road, $158,245.62.
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There are many suggestions made by the Superintendent of
the road, which, if carried out, will doubtless prove highly
beneficial, and we make no doubt but that they will be favorably
received.
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