Connecticut western news., 1872-03-29
To the Direc tors and Stockholders of the Conn. Western R. R. Co.
For the Conn. Western News.


 Gentlemen. l desire to advise you in thls public manner, that for myself at least, feel aggrieved as 8 freighter over your road, for the partiality shown others, and I do not doubt that there are some who are in the same car with me and would frankly own it, should they give their views on this subject The rate charged M+ssrs, Bar mum Richardson Co.,, from East Canaan Conn.,, to Springfield Mass. is $s per gross ton; from Millerton N Y. to the same me from ChapinYille Conn. to Springfield Mass, is $3:4O all over the same road. Mil lerton is 10 miles west from Chapinville, and East Canaan miles east. One of your officials has informed me that was unfortunately situated between two fires. I thought differently; that was we'll situ. ated, when 1 subscribed $1O,O00 to your stock, but find that I was in error, and that the official above alluded to was cor rect, but claim equal rights and pro-rata rate of freight. It has struck me that perhaps should have to change my poli- tics to have justice done me, but will defer that, at least until the ensuing election is over in our state.
 The difference in the rate above charged is, on 1000 tons, $4OO, not in my favor, and an amount quite sufficient to decide A purchaser where to buy pig iron. l claim that there should be no distinction in this valley between this freighter or that; Jew or Gentle, all should be treated alike. Another point; the firm in whose favor the concession above alluded to is granted, probably will not freight as much pig iron over your road, save from their furnaces, as shall, but theirs will find it's way into car wheels at Lime Rock, which will not Secondly.-The rates on ore Messrs. Bar mum Richardson Co.'S freight on ore from Millerton to Canaan is. $l per gross ton, and from Salisbury, Old Hill, to Canaan $l. Millerton to Canaan is r miles 1; Salisbury, Old Hill, IA miles, have been charged from Millerton to Chapinville, S7 1-2 cents per gross ton, (but it has been reduced to 75 cents,) 10 miles. and they want to charge me 75 cents from Salisbury, Old Hill, to Chapinville, miles. You have favored and made an exception of Messrs. Barnum Richardson Co.,, as you have granted them all the facilities to and from their furnaces and ore bed. As a matter of simple justice, you should have con- sidered me in this matter of freight.
 I have valuable water-power, 3 sites above Salisbury meeting house, which are not excelled on Riga stream, which will be used for paper and other mills, if this mat ter of freight is fairly arranged, but the | course you have pursued and are pursuing, would take the life blood out of any oper- ation, and what would there be left? If you treat others who may wish to purchase my water power, es you are treating me, I shall not lend my influence for the benefit of the road. My freight since the road commenced business has been 1000 tons pig iron, 1900 tons ore grain, merchan, disc &c, about 300 tons more, making an aggregate of 25OO tons, and now for the | coming season propose to transport over your road, charcoal, 25OO tons; pig iron, 25O0; ore 1000 tons; grain, lime stone, plaster, merchandise Sc., if I can be treated fairly and justly. The rate that should be charged me from Salisbury, Old Hill, to Chapinville, is 50 cents per gross ton, which would make it equal to that charged Messrs. Barnum Richardson Co.,; one dollar from Old Hill to East Canaan. This would be, being half the distance, 2'ro-rata, for which contend. Relying upon you as honorable men, having 1t in your power materially tc injare or benefit business on the line oi your road I demand that you will take such action as justice would dictate between
 man and man. Respectfully.
 HORACE LANDoN
 Chapinville Conn.,. March 18th 1872.