| Jany 27th 1865 |
| |
| Genl Preston |
|
Chf &c
|
| Richmond |
| |
| General, |
| I would respectfully ask that you would
require all railroads when asking for exemptions, to certify that none
of the persons for whom they ask are employed by any other railroad
company. |
| My reason for making this request is that
when a mechanic asks for work, every company is so desirous to
increase its operatives that they at once ask for an exemption, and in
many cases these persons get exemptions for two or three roads. |
| I know of some whose machinists have been
detailed to work for refugee roads and exempted to work on roads still
in our hands. |
| If you would desire a remedy for these
cases it would do something towards organizing this difficult and
troublesome branch of your department. |
| Very respy |
| F. W. Sims |
| Lt Col & QM |
|