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Raleigh Mar. 21st/64 |
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| {Recipient of the letter is not
clear, but Robertson had just been appointed an Agent in the RR Bureau,
under Lt Col Sims, so Sims is the likely recipient.} |
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| Colonel, |
| I arrived here yesterday. My several
telegrams from the more important Stations West of this,
furnished you, I hope, general report of the movement of Govt Stores. As
I passed through the line of Rds from Weldon to Charlotte I met the
several Govt RR officials, who were accessible, and noted such matters
as I thought attaching to most likely further my mission. At this point
I find some 35 car loads corn (???) 20 waiting transtn on Raleigh &
Gaston Rd. Probably, with what I reported, by telegram as at Charlotte
and now in transit from that place, 4000 sacks will come forward to this
place by tomorrow evening. I find on that trip that this
accumulation is not great at Charlotte, and the means of
No Ca RR for getting it forward easily equal to those of the
Char: & So Ca feeding Roads, and hard assurances, from Supt N
C R R as also from Agt: R & Gaston that no detentions as likely to occur
if they will be ??? by Petersburg RR at Gaston. I have forwarded that
when delay occurs, causing "glut," ??? not assist to with Quarter
Masters who fear the reasonability attaching, as likely to do it, from
the exposure of produce to the weather. Caset whence, then industrial
interests of the several Q Mrs clash, ??? with the others ??? also with
those of the Rl Rd Cos due mainly to lack of storage ??? an
constantly ??? and ??st continues, at points of transpn, as long as
capacity, or making advantage of the ??? Roads ??? not well ballanssed.
The R R Cos ??? to ??? ??? likely to follow refusal of most adjoining
Rds to ???; Q Masters ??? assisting ??? enforced it ??? to ???, & claim
of Govt for safe delivery hold over them. I am aff?? to ??? all ??? for
the decision and removal of these points, which, in the absence of
special instructions from you, or the ??? of ??? my own judgement as to
where, when, or how this responsibility ceases, I am unable fully
to do. |
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Additional Storage ???, as ??? ??? ??? and will ??d
freighting arrangements throughout this entire line (I mean
beyond the limits of my district) would lead greatly to
relations without and until that can be effected losses or
delays are likely to occur. |
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One other embarrassment presents itself likely to prevent
the full ???, & satisfactory acquittal, of my ??? viz adjusting
claims between the several RR Cos maintaining each others stock
or roadway; ??? in the several, or many, RR meetings I find that
no principle has been laid down to govern the divisions of
rates in such cases, but leaving the matter entirely to adjustment
between the RRs. When the Govt orders the work, or it becomes
necessary to do it by joint use of stock or track, a leading
principle for the adjustment of claim between the several Cos doing
it, should be fixed. And this again, I would respectfully submit,
should be by general consistent agreement, throughout all the
States, to ensure a manner through cooperation in all matters
touching govt transportation. |
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A rule, or any arrangement, applicable in one district,
or state, should apply throughout and thus close the door to ??ton
claims or conti?? on that ???. |
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I ??? ??? ??? to this by ??? provisional ??? ??? and
think whose causes for disagreement between RR Cos exist. The Govts
interest is to re?? th?? if possible, and to apply the remedy
generally, not by separate or independent actions in districts
or States. |
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At Greensboro I called upon Supt Rice of Manassas Gap RR
who (in reply to my enquiries, touching his means of building cars,
& disposition to furnish a number to contract) told me he was in
condition to put up 50 cars in four months if Govt could furnish
Iron necessary for Rods, Bolts and could detail from army, or
furnish, 2 Sergeants. He thinks he has axles & wheels for 100 cars.
This week he is to hand me sketch proposal showing ch?? car or
spring with bill iron needed, together with estimates for turning
out 100 cars. |
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I will forward to you if I can get them in proper shape. |
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Tomorrow I desire to go over to Fayetteville & home for
few days returning next to this point. Will be in telegraphic
communication with you at ??? pleasure direct any message requiring
immediate attention
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Very Resply |
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Yr obt Svt. |
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James P. Robertson |
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Agt: |
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{This letter is very hard to transcribe because
the first two pages are written on the same sheet of paper and bleed
through to the writing on the other side, many letters are very
small and indefinite, and the writer uses creative spelling and
punctuation.} |
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