| Richmond Va May 6th/62 |
| |
|
Col A C Myers |
|
Qr Master General &c |
|
|
|
Dear Sir, |
|
In the account of the Nashville & Chattanooga Rail Road
rendered to the Department for the transportation of Troops &c, it
will be seen that up to the 15th of Feby last the charge made for
passengers is two cents per mile per man and subsequent to that time
our regular local fare of four cents per mile per man has been
charged. This charge however was not made without information of our
intention to do so having been given to the Quarter Master for the
Division in which the service was performed. |
|
The reason for the advance in rates are numerous, one or
two of which it may be proper to state. To wit, About the first of
Feby last the Superintendent of our Road was notified by the Quarter
Master at Nashville that it was of the utmost importance to move all
Government Stores &c from that point, and in order to do so directed
that nothing but Government property should be shipped over the
road, these instructions were carried out by the Superintendent,
having in the Company's Ware Houses at Nashville large amounts of
provisions that had been received for shipment belonging to private
citizens. Subsequent to this the Road was taken possession of by the
Military authorities, controlling entirely the use of the Rolling
Stock for the transportation of Troops Stores &c thereby destroying
our Local and profitable freight business, and to a great extent our
local passenger business. In view of these facts and knowing that
the Road could only be kept up by great additional expense both in
labor and material for its repairs, together with the conviction of
the immense loss that would ensue from the running down of our
machinery from keeping it constantly moving without our ordinary
means of keeping it in order (being cut off from our repair shops at
Nashville and having none on the line of the road it became obvious
that without an increase either of freight or passenger rates, the
earnings of the road would fall short of paying the operating
expenses thereby causing not only an expenditure in money by the
Company to do the Government work but a very heavy outlay in future
to restore the rolling stock to its former good condition. |
|
The fact that our line would soon be shortened by the
destruction of our Bridges as the Troops and Provisions moved
forward, was another justifiable reason for the advance, as low
rates for long distances may be self sustaining, which for shorter
distances it would not. |
|
Various other good reasons might be given, but it is
deemed unnecessary, believing that you will readily see the absolute
necessity on our part for the advance. |
|
It may be proper here to state that we have never made
any contract with the Government to carry at any price, but are
authorized to conform to rates fixed by other roads as long as we
can do so without loss. |
|
Yours Truly |
|
W Gleaves Tr |
|