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Wilmington & Weldon Rail Road Co.,
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President's Office,
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Wilmington, N. C. March 22, 1864. |
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| Sir: -- |
| I have corresponded with a
number of the Presidents of Rail Roads, in this and other States, on
the subject of compensation allowed by the Confederate States for the
transportation of passengers and freight. Their opinion concurs with
mine, that the rates under which we are operating do not yield a just remuneration,
and when compared with the cost of maintaining roadway, rolling
stock ???, etc., are entirely too low, and that an effort should be
speedily made to have these rates advanced. I have been requested by
these gentlemen to issue a circular, asking a convention of Presidents
and Superintendents, that this and other important matters may be
considered and such action taken as will secure the purposes designed.
In response to said request, and also at the instance of the Directors
of this Company, who believe that urgent necessity demands such
consultation, I propose that we assemble in Columbia, S. C., on
Wednesday, the 18th day of April next; -- and as it is desirable that
a full representation be present, I respectfully ask that you will
give to the movement, by advertisement and otherwise, all the
publicity practicable. |
| It has also been suggested
that statements be prepared, showing the earnings and expenditures for
the twelve months preceding the 1st of March -- the depreciation of
Road and property -- amount of Capital Stock that has changed owners
since the 1st of January, 1861, with such other information as will
enable a committee to prepare such an address to Congress, (if deemed
expedient,) as will exhibit to that body the true condition of our
respective institutions, and place them right before the country. |
| Yours Respectfully, |
| S. D. Wallace, |
| President |
| {probably addressed
to Lt. Col. Sims} |
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