Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1867-10-07
LOCAL NEWS.
MONDAY EVENING, OCTOBER I.
TIE ORANGE AND ALEXANDRIA RAILROAD

80.
roNpANY.-The conduct of this road has re
Gently drawn some comment from a portion O
tbe rrsss, and as the articles referred to have
been repubIished in this paper, we deem it due
in Justice TO the authorities of the company,
and 10 a correct appreciation Of the matter, by
the public, to submit the results of the in,
formation we have received on the subject.
The principal allegations brought against the
company are that it's facilities of transportation
are inadequate to meet the requirements OF
business, and in its tariff of charges that dis
crimina ting rates are imposed in favor of Bal
timore, and against the trade of Alexandria,
ITnop the first mentioned head it, is conceded
that there Is a temporary accumulation OF
freishts in excess of the capacity of the rolling
stock Of the road. The magnitude of this bus
mess, as suddenly developed, was to some ex-
tent, not expected, and may, in som degree,
he temporary at least. This is a contingency
70 which all carriers and transportation compa,
MES are at times liable under ordinary circum-
stances. But in this case it must be remem-
Dpfeu udI liz ~ old 4AiCAduQ ld L
Company was limited in it's financial ability,
and could not make the large Investment re-
ouircd for the purpose, upon an uncertainty.
All Southern interests are more or less crippled,
and their recuperation requires time. Besides,
a large portion of the available means Of the
Orange Company had to be appropriated to
the rebuilding Of the Manassas line, a work in
which the city of Alexandria at least has a
large interest. This fact certainly calls for the
exercise of some forbearance on the part of our
people at present. 1t is due, however, to the
officers of the Orange and Alexandria Railroad
to say that notwithstanding the difficulties
stated, as soon as the pressure of business arose
As many additional engines and cars were or
dered as their means, present and prospective,
would allow. These purchases are costly and
call for a large expenditure of capital, bit it is
believed in "a short time the freighting capacity
of The road will be equal to the wants of the
community.
In respect to the charge that discrimination
is made in the rates favorable to Baltimore and
against the trade of Alexandria, we are pleased
to find it, upon investigation, without fouDda-
ton. We have been furnished with a State
ment collatel from the books of the Genera
Freight Agent, embracing leading articles, such
as dry goods, domcstics and drugs, -four, wheat,
corn, salt, guano, plaster and corn, and showing
q comparison Of rates from stations on the
Orange and Alexandria Railroad to Alexandria
and 10 Baltimore. This exhibit shows beyond
question that in the rates imposed upon the
transportation Of every article mentioned, The
interests of Alexandria have been fairly AID
fully protected. If the people Of the Interior
choose to trade with Baltimore at higher rates
OF freight, it is a matter beyond the control Of
the railroad companies. Tonnage has another
outlet from Alexandria to Baltimore by that
cheapest OF all modes of transportation, 4 nat
ural water high way, which would be readily
substituted. Any attempt to cocrco the trade
of the back country might be Injurious to the
inter, SIS Of Alexandria, aud tend to create an
unnecessary antagonism between them, and de-
feat the object in view. The railroad is the
property OF the country as we'll as the city to
be administered for the benefit Of each. If
proximity of location and lower rates Of trans
p%ortation cannot attract business to the city,
it would be futile to force it by resort to unrea-
sonable determinations in the way Of railroad
rates.
In these times of progress, with the compe-
tition Of the various lines Of communication IN
tersecting the country any attempt to ohstruct
transportation will only force it to seek another
outlet to its destination. For the through bus
mess of the interior the Orange Railroad has
to meet the competition of the Virginia Cen
trail Railroad at Gordonsvile, and the Peters
burg and Norfolk lines from Lynchburg- all
having connections by steamships with Balti-
more, Philadelphia and New York. What
the Orange line loses the rival lines receive.
This class of business does not belong legitl.
mately to Alexandria, but is valuable to the
Orange Road. A large mass of tonnage passes
daily from the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
through to Philadelphia and New York, and
if Baltimore with it's inferior advantages can
not arrest it in ~transitu how can our city, OF
less means do it? The effort only Injuries the
line of railway without any corresponding ad-
vantage to the city. While the Orange, railroad
should be operated with due regard to the local
interests of Alexandra, we must concede it has
interests which should not be unnecessarily dis
turbed. Its large monthly disbursements OF
money 10 our midst to its operatives and for
supplies are Of great Importance to this com
munity, and perhaps dispense more general
benefit in this way than by direct trade
both the company and the city have a deer
interest in the amount received and discussed,
and neither can afford to throw off the sources
Of supply-but ia fact the interests of the city
and railroad are the same, and must harmon,
,> Fl,a ,Sn,r We, q