|
Virginia Central Railroad
|
|
Genl Sups Office
|
| Richmond Jany 16th 1862 |
| |
| Col. A. C. Myers, Q. M. Genl &c. |
| |
| Sir, |
| You have asked my opinion as to
the effect of a general adoption of the rates fixed by the Chattanooga
Convention, if those rates are higher than those paid by individuals,
taking the long and short Railroads as a whole? |
| There are twelve Railroads in
Virginia used by the Government. Two of these are less than 50 miles
long, one between 50 and 75 miles, four between 75 and 100 miles and
five over 100 miles. |
| I believe that the rates
charged on this Road are a fair average for the State. These are
probably an exception but I assume that the difference is not
material, or public opinion would have compelled a change. |
| I have selected what seems to
me to be the leading articles transported for the Government and have
arranged a table showing the prices paid by Government & by
individuals for different distances on this Road. I have not put down
the prices for a distance under 50 miles, because the Roads less than
50 miles are but two and in one of the two cases water transportation
can be substituted. |
| you will find that for all
distances over 50 miles the 1st three articles are carried for
Government at less prices than for individuals, and for distances over
100 miles at less than one half the prices paid by individuals. At 76
miles the Government pays slightly more for corn & flour than
individuals pay, and the same may be said for long distances, the
average price being one cent per 100 more than individuals pay. On
clothing & groceries the Government pays on an average for
distances over 100 miles 37 cts per 100 less than individuals. |
| It may have occurred to you
that those articles, on which the Government pays more than the
individual, are precisely those which do not bear transportation for
long distances. They are generally furnished by the Country bordering
on the Road or near the camp to which they are transported. the remedy
is plain, if the Government rates are higher, the seller of the corn,
flour &c. will find it to his interest to pay the charges himself.
Clothing & Groceries are carried long distances and you will se
that in these articles the Government has greatly the advantage. In
the article of Coal there is no difficulty in having it delivered to
the Government, charges paid, and the rates paid by individuals are
low enough to suit the most exacting, if he is at all acquainted with
the cost of Railroad transportation. |
| I trust however that the
Government will not take advantage of the few cases where
transportation is less for the individual. The tariffs correspond,
generally, with the price that an article brings in the market, and
for the low priced articles mentioned the rates are but little above
cost in ordinary times. They are carried low to stimulate production
and thus indirectly to increase the consumption of those articles
which will bear a higher charge. |
| The Government however needs
the low as well as the high priced article and it costs the Railroad
Company as much to transport the one as the other, risk of loss and
damage excepted. For the individual we carry when convenient, for the
Government, when required at our inconvenience. |
| It is therefore proper that the
Government should pay a uniform price except for those articles which
are extra hazardous. |
| It may be proper to state here
that the Board of Directors have thought it expedient to raise the
rates on this Road, and I am now engaged in revising the Tariff. The
prices in the tables are from our present rates however. |
| Taking the table as a fair
statement you will doubtless come to the conclusion I have, that
taking the Roads as a whole the Government pays greatly less for
transportation than the individual. I can come to no other conclusion
from the examination I have given the question. So far as this Road is
concerned I can answer positively. In September 1861 the Government
freight amounts in round numbers to $17,000. An individual would pay
for the same freight in round numbers $27,000!* This is no guess work,
but the result of careful calculation, the bills having been made out
at half rates, and afterward changed to the Chattanooga rates. My
impression is that the difference will be less on other Roads, as
fewer low priced articles are carried on them. |
| Hoping that I have explained
myself clearly |
| I am Your Obt Sevt, |
| H. D. Whitcomb |
| Gen Supt Va. C. R. R. |
| * Accurately -- Government at Chattanooga
Rates $16,970.42 Individual for same $26,886.54 -- 63+/100 |
| H. D. W. |
| |
| Table showing the Comparative cost to
Government and to Individuals for leading articles of freight
transported between the more important Depots on the Va. Central
Railroad |
|
Articles similar to the following |
| Hanover Junction to |
| Gordonsville 49 miles |
|
| Richmond to |
| Gordonsville 76 miles |
|
| Richmond to |
| Staunton 136 miles |
|
| Richmond to |
| Jacksons River |
| 195 miles |
|
| Individual |
Govt |
Individual |
Government |
Individual |
Government |
Individual |
Govt |
| Gunpowder &c for 100 |
$1.08 |
45c |
$1.12 |
45c |
$1.16 |
61c |
$1.20 |
87 3/4 |
| Clothing &c for 100 |
33c |
20c |
38c |
20c |
60c |
27 2/10c |
85c |
39c |
| Groceries &c for 100 |
26c |
" |
30c |
" |
55c |
" |
80c |
" |
| Flour for 100 |
14 3/10c |
" |
17 1/2c |
" |
32 1/2c |
" |
38 1/2c |
" |
| Corn & corn meal for 100 |
15 1/2c |
" |
18c |
" |
27c |
" |
33c |
" |
| Coal for 100 |
10 3/4c |
" |
14 1/2c |
" |
22 1/2c |
" |
30c |
" |
| Horses for car load |
$14.00 |
$20 |
$20.00 |
$20.00 |
$38.00 |
$27.20 |
$50 |
$39 |
| Hay for car load |
$14.80 |
$15 |
$17.80 |
$15.00 |
$25.20 |
$20.40 |
$32 |
$29.25 |
|
| H. D. Whitcomb |
| Gen Supt Va. C. R. R. |