Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1865-01-05
S5S1

the monthly expenses OF this ROAD IN 1850 %ere:
about .2s OOa Of Which probably $4,000 we're spent!
IN ,,,pl, sud the resi- in wages, salaries, &c. Tue
i,ici,s ouUM,Ta rcd abo:e theEci;re abcus one.
tLiri tbs value OF the supplies which were used and.
drought necessary in 1860. II viii be Observed that.
none of the articles mentioned purchased abroad,
and teu exceptional values, owing to the risk Of
capture. and therefore they may be assumed as. a
io average OF the cost Of all materials to Railroad
companies. 81 e.. q. -. :;
Here then, are the facts. The public is charging
this Railroad company least forty pFices FOX hSess;
sa,v suppres-the Company is changing the public,
including the government, Eve prices aud excluding
he government FIVE prices for Passengers ana ten
prce5 Tor freight. Dividing the passenger fare by
Iorty the company is carrying pa;sanger5 ii halc d
ccutper mile and freight at less tbahtw0 dentsant
including government transportation, Pss:engets are
carried at three aud half mills and freight at one
,eUt-that is, ii prices measured by tie cos: OF
supplies. What other. interest can sh"w such a re-
cord as this Manufacturers Of all kinda in cott0h
and wool in iron and wood are charging fully up to
the increased prices of produce s
But. it is charged that Railroad Companies have
made enormous dividends. Manufacturing Compa-
MES have made much lager; so has the farming in
crest and this seems TO DC thought Just and proper,
But some Railroad Companies hase only declared
the ustal dividend made before tie war, and those
rbich.baye None more than this have pfobably.done
il Al Tie expense of capital by neglect Of repairs.
Our rohds are wearing out, and becoming less and
less efficient Had they been kept IN good condi-
ton ms they we're in in 1861 very few, il any, would
q. Toll Is s,,to,
Lei n, illustrate this from item of repairs which
is known 10 ALL that OF the rails; twill not be- pre-
tended that the Companies have purchased non far
their tracks aud yet nearly TOUR years have passed
.u., tbe war began This IS at least one:to,triioi
the life OF railroadron One-tourth Of our railroad
;, H. oone This is no over-statementlof'th the Case
a. the war continues this IRON must be replaced. II
| :. necessary to replace some Of il now, What will
100 OrdinarS castings are 81 per ,sTails
IN, ...rcelv be made at less than 75ccntS. De.
-, tho value of old material, the necessary
...,,..s Of iron for repairs, 20 tons per mile
.l,1d not be obtained (ir labor could be hhttOre'
IN =, fur less than 1000, ad We suppose y would
cost s25.OOO.s A road Of 100 miles Sat thi'
- - dobt for this article alone from sl,lpOiC0V t
oo ooo and # depreciation in rolling stock and IN
buildings aud i.fixtTes were accounted i'' t'i'
amount would probably be double the iofmer SUM q.
If fine war continue, the Companies will be lorees
=. o~nepd these sums, or the COh(ederaey will loco
tho only means Of transportation left at least be
tween distant points -, :! :..:..
This is subject deserving the attention o. s'ates-
ION A wrong system has hitherto been pursued
IT, roads are of vital Importance and should 2. Dc
-, nm nav improved Had our means Of trans
rortati6n been kept up,h IS dooH'!pi