The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1873-03-19
SUPERINTENDENT DODAMEAD'S
LETTER.
GEN'L SupER1NyENDENT's OFFICE,

GEN'L SUpER1NyENDENT's OFFICE,
G. AND C. RAILROAD COMPANY,
COLUMBIA, S. c., March IL, 1873.
Editors CaroLinian:
GENTLMEN 1 notice you state in
your paper of to-day that "selious
Complaints are made toyou by mer-
chants on the line of The Grcenville
Railroad of the intolerable detention
of freights." While | do not perceive
how making complaints to you can
benefit them in getting their freights
forward, yet l deem it proper, in JUS
tice to this road and it's officers, to say
that while there has been consldcra-
BILE detention of freights at Columbia
destined for points on the line OF this
road, il has been unavoidable, and
arises from the great increase in the
freight business of the road, unex-
pected and unexampled in its history,
and totally beyond the capacity of its
motive power and rolling stocks. On
inquiring of the officers OF this com
pany. who will at all times cheertully
furnish information, those making
these complaints would have been
convinced that in many instances the
most serions detention has been be-
fore the freights have reached this
road and from the same causes as op-
crate on this road, similar state of
affairs being general throughout the
country during the past winter, viz /:
an increase Of freights above the ca
pacity of the railroad lines to move
promptly. Only yesterday gentle
man exhibited at our Office bills OF la
ding for some five cars Of freight dated
late iu January, and early in FEBRUARY,
two of which had just arrived, and
were sent forward promptly for him
this mo, aing. This company has
had its own supplies of oils, &C.! six
weeks on the way from Cincinnati
alter date of bills of lading. Trains
on this road have been kept moving
day and night, double crews tor the
engines and trains employed so as to
keep them moving all the time, and
every exertion on the part OF the oth-
GERS to expediate transportation, The
fact of what has been, and is now do
ing On this road in this respect can be
ascertained by the parties interested
by visit TO the transportation offices
of this company at Columbia at any
time between o'clock, a. NJ, and II
O'clock midnight. I to day received
O letter from an officer Of the connect
ing road. whose headquarters are
some 400 miles from Columbia, inl
which he informed me that be himself,
and his men in the freight depart
mont, had only had six hours sleep
the previous week.
The Grecnville and Columbia Road
has made application in all quarters
where it was thought it might be like
ly we could buy or rent additional en-
gines. and have rented several. a,
the same time We have had applica-
tions of the same character from 9TH
er roads similarly situated with our
selves. We have also endeavored to
procure additional now locomotives
from all the different builders in the
country. and the earliest date at which
any deliveries could be secured is in
the month of September next. We
think that this plain statement OF
facts should satisfy all concerned that
while it is to be regretted that delays
as to the transportation Of freigh,
have occurred, it has been unavoida-
BILE and not the result of want Of en-
ergy and industry or the part OF the
officers of the various railroads, and
ut least not of this one. There is NO
merchant on the line Of the Green
vile Railroad who has been engaged
in business upon it for any consider
able length of time who is not cogni-
zaut of the great and unexpected in.
crease of the business over it, and if
he has given himself the trouble to
look into it, of the truth Of all herein
stated as regards this road
Yours very respectfully,
TAos. DoDAMEAD,
General Superintendent.