| Office Orange & Alexa RRd {Orange
& Alexandria RR} |
| Lynchburg Feby 7, 63 |
| |
| John S. Barbour Esq |
| President |
| |
| Sir, |
| The arguments for an increase of rate
for the transportation of government freight over our road are very
apparent. |
| In the first place we are operating but
a small amount and the expense of operating the road is 50 per cent
greater than its income from government freight and passengers
combined. |
| As the country contributions to our line
of road has been drained of its supplies, we have very little
freight to transport on private account. |
| The cars are returned without freight,
and consequently without any income, and at an expense to this
company almost equal to the cost of moving loaded cars. |
| A larger force of men are obliged to be
kept in the pay of the Company than would suffice for the operations
of the road, as occasionally ??? are made upon us for quick
transportation, admitting of no delay. |
| The prices now paid by the government
are much lower than we ??? transported for, in times when labor and
materials were low. The item of wood alone has advanced 100 per cent
and labor about the same -- other necessary articles have advanced
from 200 to 1200 per cent. |
| Our operations of the two months just
passed, shows that we are absolutely expending more money now we are
receiving. |
| For these reasons, an increase of 100 per cent upon
the present rates, freight and passenger, I would not ???? The rates
here would be much below our regular tariff. |
| Respectfully |
| H. W. Vandergrift |
| Engr & Supt |