Quartermaster-General's Office
| Richmond, January 31, 1862 |
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| The President |
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| Sir, |
| I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of a letter addressed to you by Mr. Goodman {Walter Goodman, President, Mississippi Central RR}, which has been
referred to me for consideration and remark. The several subjects to
which it refers have already received that attention from this
department which their importance demanded, and to some extent the
suggestions presented by Mr. Goodman have been carried into effect.
Contracts have been made with the railroad companies, generally, by
which a preference has been secured to all Government freights, both
as to time of transit and use of cars. Every possible arrangement
has been adopted to secure prompt transportation of public stores,
and to this end many of the railroads have been employed to their
utmost capacity. Delays and difficulties have occurred in many
instances, but no arrangements can be made so complete as to
entirely prevent their recurrence. A uniform standard of charges for
Government transportation, deemed to be both just and economical,
has been agreed upon with many of the leading railroads, and the
rates thus established will, it is supposed, meet the concurrence of
all the companies. This is equivalent to the prescribed terms of a
written contract, and by it hereafter uniformity in the charges for
transportation will be secured. I doubt greatly the propriety of
appointing Government freight agents and messengers, as proposed by
Mr. Goodman. Competent persons to fill such positions cannot readily
be procured, nor are they necessary. They would interfere seriously
with the management of details, which should be left entirely to the
control of trained and experienced railroad employees. They would,
moreover, remove from the railroad companies and their agents that
direct responsibility to the Government which it is important to
preserve. This consideration appears to be decisive, for the most
serious evils would result if the obligations now imposed upon the
railroad companies were lessened or removed. It is suggested by Mr.
Goodman that these agents or messengers should give certificates of
the quantity of freight transported, the number of miles traveled,
and the amount earned by the road, which should be the only vouchers
used in settlements with the companies. It would seem that this
object could not be attained, as it would not be practicable for the
messengers traveling in charge of the trains to superintend the
weighing of freights at way stations unless the trains were delayed
until they could inspect and note the shipments. Under the present
system the railroad transportation accounts are adjusted upon
vouchers signed by officers and agents of the Government, and only
actual weights and distances are paid for. All orders for
transportation specify the points from and to which freights are
carried, and a freight list or bill of lading is sent by the
consignor to the consignee. The policy of building cars has been
adopted to some extent, but it is deemed more advisable to transfer
them to the railroads, as thereby the necessary inspection and
repairs are attended to, while if left in the possession of the
Government and used upon the various roads no particular company
could be made responsible for their being kept in good condition.
The importance of encouraging the establishment of rolling-mills
cannot be overestimated, and I fully concur in the suggestion that
they should receive the fostering protection of the Government
whenever the private enterprise of the country seeks to construct
them. In what mode or to what extent this protection should be
afforded I am not prepared to suggest. |
| The mill of Mr. M. A. Cooper {the
Etowah Iron Works}, in Western Georgia, has not escaped my
attention. Some time since application was made to Mr. Cooper to
supply sheet-iron to meet requisitions made on this department for
various articles, but he declined because his operations in the
manufacture of bar iron and rails were too profitable to justify a
change in his present machinery. Nor, judging from his estimate of
the profits to be derived from their manufacture, do I think his
property could be purchased upon favorable terms. Mr. Goodman
conjectures that the cost of erecting an effective rolling-mill
would be from $100,000 to $150,000. Mr. Cooper's calculation is that
the net profit upon his manufacture of bar iron and rails will be
$150,000 during the current year. If therefore the policy of
establishing such mills be adopted, other localities should be
examined.
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| In conclusion, while this department will
receive with much satisfaction any suggestions or propositions
looking to the adoption of a system which will secure more complete,
prompt, and economical transportation of public supplies than is
afforded by that now in use, I must be permitted to express the
doubt whether any substantial improvement can at present be
effected. Mr. Goodman's letter is herewith returned. |
| I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your
obedient servant |
| A. C. Myers |
| Acting Quartermaster-General |
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