Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1871-01-13
Railroad Matters.

To the etlt0r Of the Alerdndf1d Gazette:
I have before me the report of General Her.
man Haupt, Chief Engineer Of the Shenandoah
Valley Railroad, from which, as interesting to
your readers, I send you an extract on the sub
ect of low freights and fares He says:
THAT I have long been persistent advocate
of the policy of large business carried at low
rates, will appear upon reference to my report
as chief engineer Of the Pennsylvania railroad
in 1854.
''In the preceding year the total tons moved
on the Pennsylvania railroad had been l39:632s
tons. I took the position that the tonnage OF
the road could be increased, and ought to be
increased to Il million Of TONS and used this lam
guage: -,
of the Pennsylvania railroad to this extent,
Il 100000 tons, and make it an instrument OF
incalculabc good to the citizens OF the State;
but to attain these results the repeal Of the
tonnage tax is indispensable, and low rates with
moderate dividends, must indicate the settled
policy upon which the operations Of the road
arc to be conducted. Increase Of trade. activity
of business, and the extension of our great
cities. constitute objects Of greater importance
than large profits upon transportation. ltlsln-
measurably better for the interests Of every por-
ton of the State that the road should do q large
business, even with small profits, rather than
realize the same profits on Il smaller tonnage
''Thcsc were the opinions advanced in lS54.
The policy of large business and low rates was
not at that time universally approved. Many
could not see how coal could be carried witha
profit at one cent and half per ton per mile,
when the 100000 tons Of freight then carried
cost over two cents. 1t became necessary to
publish pamphlet on the cool tonnage OF the
PENNSYLVANIA railroad to prove HAT IN cXtr, half
million of tons of coal could be carried 1T an
actual cost of ON y seven mills The assertion
PENNSYLVANIA railroad cond be increased to Il
million of tons. was regarded us the utterance Of
visionary enthusiast But what are the facts?
Instead of one million, the tonnage OF the Penn
sylv;lnia railroad HOW exceeds five millions; and
if | should state my impressions in regard 10
the developments and prospective business OF
your line under the stimulus OF Il liberal policy,
low rates and proper accommodation, my cstl-
mates might again be regarded Il cXtraraGanl
and Visionary 1t is safe to assert. however,
that ut any reasonable cost ul constructions the
interest on the bonds and dividends on the stock
would he almost as certain rs they have been on
the Pennsylvania raruad Ii is true that you
have moi ut present as large Il local population
per mile. but you have more rich limestone
land, much greater capacity for agricultural
productions more live stock, more lumber. de-
posts Of iron are vastly more extensive, ANIL in
addition thereto, the gypsum, salt and marble;
which the Pennsylvania railroad never had and
which alone may furnish nearly half the ton
la@c of the road.
In the recent examination Lciorc commit
tee of the Legislature Of Va. Mr. Roberts,
the President of the Alexandria and FrcdcricIa-
burg Railroad, is reported as having expressed
himself to the same effect. and as the advocate
of low firights aud fares He stated that should
he be allowed to extend his road TO Richmond:
he would carry passengers from Washington To
Richmond for 50 or $3.50. about half the
present rate.
As citizen Of Alexandria, would encourage
in every way the building Of railroads into the
city. [ would place no obstruction in The way.
Heretofore our town and State have been mott
heavily taxed to invite and assist them in COM
ing here, and now when it is proposed to build
lis road, which shall not cost State or city one
dollar, our City Council. instead Of invitingand
encouraging the making Of the road. are
proposing tax upon the privilege Of entering
the town | do not see the wisdom Of their
course, and have yet to meet the man who
does. ALEXANDRIA.