The Cleveland leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1865-1865, 1865-06-06

ATLANTIC ASp GkEGR VEsrERE RAILROAD
The frequent blockade of the Franklin
Branch of the Atlantic and Great Western
Railroad has operated injuriOusly to the bus
mess interests of Cleveland, and has been
productive of much iu-fseling on the part
of those living 90 the line and at and be-
yond the termination of that most indis-
penssble thoroughfars. Is looks as if
freight loaded here ought to reach its des-
tination within two or three days at the
outside, but the cases 5re by no means iso-
lated where it is three, four, six and evsn
eight weeks reaching the hands of con
signees, The consequence has been that
p~erishable property has become worthless
to large amounts, the merchants have suf-
fered losses by depreciation and the want
of goods, and the consumers have been
curtaiied of necessary supplies, and, what
interests US particularly, the trade supply
ing the oil regions, of which this is the
natural fountain head, is seriously injured.
To a large extent it has become necessary
to resort to the express companies for the
transportation of goods most urgently need
ed, and they have in consequence been so
overwhelmed with business that they have
failed to perform their duties with their
usual prOmptitude, and they stand little
higher in the estimation of those who de-
pend upon them than the railroad com
panies.
Without being an sPologist for the short
comings of t1e managers of the road, or
holding them entirely blameless, we wish
TO say this much, that they have had to en-
counter difficulties, and formidable ones too,
that they have not yet been able 10 sur
mount, but which are now in a fair wsy of
being overcome, and We hope that before
the expiration of many weeks the bloc de.
will be etfectually removed. The road ends
near OIL City, where there is not even room
enough between the hill and river to put
down q switch, much less have depot
grounds so, of course, loaded freight cars
cannot be run and stand there long enough
to be unlosded. The hill is being excavsst-
ed and the river bank filed in so that psr-
tial freight accommodations will sooa be
provided. At Reno Station, two miles be-
low, where there is plenty of room for side
tracks and warehouses;, it was only very
recently thst land could be bought for such
purposes. Now that the land has been Sc
cured it is reasonable to expect that in a
short time accommodations will be made
for handling all the freight that may be
sent from that point. We understand that
it is in contemplation to'Bdild a wharf and
have boats take the freight and land it a.
OIL City. When this is done there ought To
be no further cause for complaint.
That loaded care are switched off at way
stations and stand days together, shows
dsreliction on the part Of somebody ; that
freight, after it reaches its destination. is
not promptly delivered to the owners, is q
second dereliction, both of which the man
ayers of the road are interested in remedy
ing. That it will be done under me pres-
ent management re have fai "a to believe.
Or the retired officers we have no opinion
to offer, but the executive officers are men
of well earned business regulations. J. J..
ShryOck, Esq, President of the Penpsyl-
Vanla division, is a man of admirable BUSH
ness qualifications, and enjoys in an emil
nent degree the confidence of his fellow
citizens of Mesdville. The new Superip-
tsndentS Mr.. McLsren, aud the General
Freight agent, John h. Osborne, ESQ were
chosen fortheir ability and great experience,
and we believe are worthy Of public conf =
dence. In our business With the latter we
have found him II courteous and pleasant
gentlemen. Perhaps It is fitting here to
speak a pleasant word of the cleveland
A6SHNJ HAs OhdIiCe bEtllg Wuog IN auu lblOn
to his complete kno Wedge of his duties, is
3 general favorite amongstthose with whom
he comes in business contact.
We feel persuaded that things on the
Franklin Branch will assume q better
shsPe, as soon as the improvements men
toned are completed. Till that time we
trust our readers will have patience, and
suspend Judgment. We should net have
written this article were there not so man
expressions Of bitter hostility TO the maj '
agement OF the Atlantic and Great Western
Railway. B.