Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-09-10
BALTIMORE AND OHIO RAILROAD,
Statement of President Garrett.

=
tie Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company
took place yesterday, at which President Gar
rett made a statement, in which occurs the fol-
lowing in reference to the recent disastrous
flood, &c: "The region affected by the nood
empI aced distance OF thirty seven miles of
the N ain stem, viz: from Leicester - Monroyla
No damage resulted TO the company from the
condition of the Monocacy river, and the Poto-
mac was not affected. The whole loss and in
reference with the line rose from the condition
Of the Patapsco and its afiiuents. Whilst the
damage was undoubtedly great, vet by the
thorough and accurate report from the road de-
partment II is found that the full estimate of
the entire losses upon the line, including the
Restoration of the emban kments, bridges, cul-
verts, and all other structures, not only TO the
condition in which the road was prior TO the
II cd, but 10 condition materially improved
will amount TO Sli2.i5u, instead of the two or
three millions OF dollars as alleged by par ties
es;s 10 subserve. The damage did not prove 10
be without compensation, of to involve much
absolute loss. On the contrary, as the road
was interrupted so as TO prevent the passage Of
trains Tor twelve days, the company took ad-
vantage % the opportunity TO make large and
important improvements upon the line. In
five cases of magnitude and special importance,
the most dlnicult curves upon the Patapsco
have been relieved, and the lire so straight
ened as 10 add materially 10 economy and IA
c!lity in working. Advantage was taken Of the
opportunity 10 effect desirable changes afforded
by the cessation OF running OF trains, and
wherever experience showed that curvatures,
ETC., could be improved, the necessary cost was
incurred TO secure such permanent benefits
MT. Garrett lhen refers TO the statements
published regarding a vast decrease m rev.
enue, which are characterized as untruthful,
and the statement proceeds as folio VS." For
July, lcOa, the aggregate revenue of the road
and branches was S-p,37IOi. For the same
month In l-Go, S77U,69S2o In August, Is67, the
aggregate revenue was ssle,6I6.92. and in Au-
gust, 1865, S1S2,U9257, making the aggregate
difference for the two months of but So, ,Ig7 10
Thus the entire difference IN the revenue, COM
bined with the cost of the restoration and
marked Improvement OF the line and bridges
will be less than S2l3,ua, a result that makes
quite ridiculous the assertion uttered by rival
and adverse interests that the Baltimore and
Ohio Company would be compelled to aban-
don the line on the Patapsco. The history of
American railways shows that no important
line can present a better comparative result
than that, in thirty-six years, the entire losses
arising from high water should be so limited
II Is, therefore, in the judgment of the chair,
clt ar that those parties upon the line of the
road who have invested largely. who have
built mills and factories and other costly I'M
provements, need have no apprehension that
the present road will ever he abandoned; on
the contrary, increased facilities Will BE- afford
ed and additional arrangements made 10 attract
capl,ai 10 continue and 10 lcreaSe the use of
he magnificent water-poWer OF the Patapsco
Certainly the embarras sments caused by two
such freshets IN upwards Of forty years. are
not sufficient 10 Justify the abandonment of the
vast advantages of so valuable a stream"
After noticing the great future before the
road, and the proba billty OF its recurring four
tracks to accommodate The growing business,
Mr.. Garrett says:
s'Not in connection with the freshets on the
Patapsco, but prior TO that event, with a CON-
prehensiye view of these great interests. and
the probable early requirements OF increased
facilities upon road constantly becoming
more national and important in ITS chara cter
and connections, II was deemed judcious 10
detail a corps OF engineers 10 examine a line
which would open an additional section of our
own State, and which would furnish ssconi
doubt track when required To Baltimore.
During the past season a route which would
branch from the Metropolitan line near Gath
ersburg, and extend to Laurel. has been ex-
anined. Ii has been ascertained that this route
Will be about four miles shorter to Baltimore,
and that it affords other advantages. IL may,
therefore become the policy OF this company,
when more urgent and pressin y enterprises are
accomplished, and as the traffic develops. to
build that line as an additional route for the
vast business between the South, South west
West, and Northwest and Baltimore.
The work upon the heaviest sections of the
Metropolitan Branch, in accordance with the
fixed policy of this company, Is progressing
satisfactorily. As soon as the more difficult
work is in sufficient state OF for wardness TO
enable the company, by throwing a suitable
force upon those portions of that line, which
Will req ure reiatl vely brief time 10 construct
the entire work will be prosecuted TO compile
hon as rapidly as 1t can be judiciously effected.
THE CATTLE DIsEAsE.-The Stare commis
sloners appointed by the Governor Of New
York to inyestlgate the cattle disease, have
made report The disease, they state, origl.
ated with the Texas cattle, and is seriously
aggravated by driving or transportation. 1t
is not necessarily fatal to the cattle. The pre-
ventative means taken have so completely sup
pressed the marketing OF infected cattle, that
the commissioners think meat now sold Is
healthier than before the outbreak OF the dis
ease.
At special meeting OF the board OF Hebrew
ministers Of Philadelphia, held September :, IL
was resolved tnat owing TO the existence OF 4
disease among cattle, the shochatLm (killers) be
instructed TO examine carefully, together with
the lungs, the entire entrails of all animals
slaughtered for the use OF Israelites.
The cattle plague has appeared in Kentucky,
and Gov. Stevenson on the I'd instant, issued
proclamation forbiddIng the importation ofcat-
tie for the next sixty days from any State or
locality where the disease Is prevalent.
The Chicago Republican Of Monday says:
zine cattle disease is now abating. The
specific poison, whatever 1t was, which pre-
vaded the system of those unsound cattle is
now yielding to medical treatment. and any
cattle in the neighborhood Of Chicago affected
by the disease are in a fair way OF being cured
by proper treatment"