The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-09-06

all the districts in the country and AZ the Bpments
are chiefly by the Reading Railroad, we may as well
throw aside prejudces, and after looking at the
facts, determine the sources from which the supply
Is to be had.
On the Reading Railroad the distance from the
mines to the landing is but % miles with descend
ing grade of from % feet to the mile TO level. On
the opposing routes the distance is from 1873 to 2l5
miles, with grades varying from % to ll5 feet to the
mile. On the Reading one engine can take down as
many tons as two and ahalf engines can carry back
to the place of starting This fact, with another of
more astounding character-that the entire charges
against coal, during the year 1854 was but 1890
cents per tonpaces the truth In an intelligent shape;
and if we contrast the distance (the fact that the
cost on the upward train is equal to 81 az per tom
with the other routes, we will discover that the dig
ging and carrying will be more than we get for the
article. The Reading, therefore. having the loca-
ton, the fixtures and appurenances, with the expe
rience and capacity to reach the demand Of the
market is without rival; and when talk of cheap
coal. we must seek it only from the reduction Of
freights on the Reading.
A committee of the st. Louis Chamber Of Com
merce, after a thorough investigation Of the ac-
connts Of the Ohio and Mississippi Railroad, and
Of the character of Page Bacon's claim against
that company have reported in favor Of the latter
The committee were Messrs. James F.. Yeatmah,
George Pastrdge, Unit Raisin, John s. McCune
John Leach and John Hogan, all prominent citi
zens of ST. Louis. In relation to tho report the st
Louis Inteligeaesr remarks:--
The report IL complete aud Triumphant vindcation
of the house Of Page Bacon from the aspersons that
have been heaped in connection with the Ohio and
Mississippi Railroad The committee give full history
Of the affairs Of that road from its organxaon-they
1T,
engineer reports and estimates and declare that they
have made personal examination Of every voucher for
every special item Of expenditure from the beginning OF
the road down to the date of their nbors including Of
course the amounts charged and provided for in the
celebrated note 10 fsgc Bacon Of June last for 81 49,
COO. And after examining every paper and every
find the accounts all just and true, and correct as
charged
The committee show that the Ohio and Mississip
p Railroad has cost (up to July 3D about s. 500 600
They show that the original estimates were for
under 80 100000. But they show how the con
sulting engineer was the autocrat Of the contract
and that under the head OF extra work " according
to the construction put upon the contract by that
engineer. about u 900 900 paid to the contrac-
tors beyond the stipulated contract price! The con-
tractors were finally bought off, at large price and
the road completed by the company.
In addition, II was shown BY the committee that
several miles more Of railroad were actually built
by the company than were estimated Tor in the
original contract THIS fact run up the grand total
OF cost by hundreds Of thousands Of dollars.
The charge Of fraud" In the making up Of Page
& Bacon's account. was thoroughly dsproved.
Every dollar claimed by them was clearly shown by
honest vouchers satisfactory TO every man engaged
in the Investigation to be fairly and justly due; and
not only 80, bat the large sum Of over $4,000 be-
sides, for which they had taken no note and had
deed Of trust.