American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-09-22

pxo..xaK pApEas.-We continue 10 receive by every
mail newspapers containing little card To the Pub
lie" and asking exchange. Our offer in that has been
long since revoked.
baltimore and Washingt ton Railroad
Reduction OF Fare.
We are gratifed at perceiving that the articles
we published on this subject, on Saturday last
have been generally read, and are well-approved
in this city. We have on hand several other
communications, including very minute re-
view of the history of this company; put as
spirit of severe censure is evinced by the writer
we deem il but Just to withhold 1t for the pre-
sent II is not common for companies to go in
advance of the public demands in these matters,
and, as no very general expression has been
heretofore given to such demands, we do not
think the subject should be approached in this
spirit. Let facts and their just differences be
first presented, and we doubt not such reduction
will be made as will prove proper and salutary
The fare to Baltimore from Washington, forty
miles, is 1880, or four and q half cents per
mile. From Baltimore to Cumberland, one
hundred and seventy eight miles, tits 81 90, or
little less than four cents per mile. But on the
first of October, the fare to Cumberland is to
be reduced to SIS, or not quite two and four
ffths cents per mile This is wide difference
between the prices of travel upon the two
routes What is the reason of it
The revenue in the month of August, we
learn, was:
For Passengers For Freight.
Wash has@ branch 2o,2os 81 s,aO5 q
s53,eso os s7s,loo OF
Making an aggregate of S202, 672.31 on the
main stem, and 1924, 1854 on the Washington
branch-the total being 1926, S4615. 1t is
thus seen that on both roads the amount re-
ceived for passengers is equal to about forty
one per cent of the whole receipts; and for
freight, fifty-nine per cent.
The main stem receives for freight more than
twice as much as it does for passengers, while
the Washington branch receives for passengers
more than five times as much as for freight.
1t will thus be perceived that the chief business
of the main stem to Cumberland is the car
rage of freight, and of the Washington branch
the carriage of passengers. Yet, in the face of
these facts, the company forgoes the chances of
increased travel by means Of reduced rates, on
the Washington branch, and withholds from
the public the accommodations they have a
right to expect from it.
The business of carrying passengers is by far
the most profitable; and while passenger with
fifty pounds of baggage, say averaging two
hundred pounds, pays $3.50 to Baltimore, this
amount Of money will pay for the transporta-
ton of fifteen and half hundred weight of
freight--equal to eight passengers.
This disparity is very great; and while the
high price charged for passage is oppressive
upon the public, it is, in our opinion, impolitic
on the part Of the company. We entertain
very strong conviction that at the usual and
fair price of three cents per mile, or 81. 20 for
the trip, as much or more money would be re-
ceived as at present and that tickets to go and
return within a specified time, say forty eight
hours, for $500, would materially enhance the
profits of the road.
Such accommodations would promote the in
tercourse between the people Of the two cities
in progressive ratio, while they would secure
to the company their goodwill and encourage
ment.
To continue the present high charges, and
evince disregard for the public convenience,
may for time be done with impunity; but
day Of reckoning comes to all Of US, and it not
unfrequently happens that chartered company
has reason to regret the absence OF the popular
favor. 1t is in the power of the company at
this moment TO prove that it is guided by lib
eral and magnanimous spirit and if it shall
make this apparent, we are well convinced the
future will prove the wisdom Of the act.