| Chief Engineer's Office |
| Western North Carolina Rail Road |
|
Salisbury N. C., July 27th 1864 |
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|
F. W. Sims |
|
Lt Col & Q. M. |
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|
Sir, |
|
At the Columbia convention, you remember, that the
opinion was universally expressed that the rates then agreed
upon, were inadequate for roads situated as the one I represent. My
object in addressing this to you, is to ask an increase of fifty per
cent on those rates on all claims now unsettled. |
|
The entire stock of our road has been taxed to its utmost
in assisting the N. C. RR and other companies in removing government
stores when four times this amount could have been realized by
ordinary freight. By this, when other roads are declaring large
dividends, we, without the additional aid asked above will be unable
to pay our tax. Maj. C. S. Carrington & Maj Chisman of Greensboro
could inform you of this correctness of the above statement and each
one agreed to give me letters to you, but I deemed it unnecessary. |
|
Take for instance the items of lumber of which I haul a
great deal to Greensboro & Charlotte |
| 10 car loads (pr rates) |
|
$325 |
| 3 days were invariably taken by this trip. Engineers pay |
$30 |
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|
Conductor " |
15 |
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5 Train Hands (3 days) |
60 |
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Rations @ $4 per day |
84 |
189 |
|
Amt of profits |
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$136 |
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This is no unfair statement, to you will readily perceive
the fairness of my request. It has been my ??? always to give the
government every assistance and all I wish in return is
living rates, and on our road less than the above would not be. I
hope it will meet with your favorable consideration. |
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Very Respectfully |
|
Yr obt Servt |
|
James W. Wilson |
|
Eng & Supt |