Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1874-05-01

supplement of the other. By line to be
constructed of eighty-seven miles, the main
trunk of the Continental Road will be con-
nected with the lines OF road which seek
their western passage through the Hoosac
Tunnel, as well as with the lines proposed to
cross the Hudson River at Peekskill.
2. The road proposed is not an attempt TO
force line OF railway through new and un-
developed country. IL passes directly through
the richest and most productive zone OF Ohio,
Indiana, Illinois, and Iowa, at such distance
from the Ohio River and the lakes as to cause
the local productions OF that zone To seek
transportation by the railway at it's fixed price
rather than by lake or river.
3. The line accommodates iteelf to the exist
ing currents Of commerce. currents which owe
their existence to permanent causes, and
which, in the judgment OF your committee,
are not likely to be materially affected by any
probable event.
4. 1t is reasonably certain that no private
corporation can be formed In this country
which will undertake and perform the same
work and operate the road at the low rates fixed
by the bill, simply as private enterprise and
upon their own risk, without Endorsement
from the United States.
5. Not the least among the meritorious
propositions involved in this enterprise is the
remodelng the present cumhrous, clumsy,
antiquated and uselessly expensive manner of
handling grain and other products in New
York city-a manner SO full of delay and cost
as to have driven already ] rge portion OF
the grain trade TO Boston, Philadelphia and
Baltimore, where proper mechanical facilities
for receiving, discharging and loading enable
those cities successfully TO compete with the
great commercial emporium in this cheap
business.
The first section Of the bill fixes the terminl
OF the road and imposes condition that no
grade eastward shall exceed forty feet to the
mile, and requires the construction to be COM
menced within one year from the passage Of
this act, and rs completion within three years
thereafter.
The second, third, fourth and nth sections
are ON matters of detail.
The sixth section provides for surveys, and
that The road shall be constructed as nearly as
possible on an air line.
Sec. fixes character of rails and construc-
ton.
Sec. s requires double-track branch to
Chicago and ST. Louis, and gives authority to
construct other branches not exceeding two on
each side of the main line in each State.
Sec. permits the purchase OF other rail-
ways, but requires the consent of the State
chartering said road before such purchase or
consolidation shall go into effect.
Secs. 10, IL, IL aud Ii contain provisions
| for consideration OF the right of way.
Sec. IA contains details for organization oil
/ the company.
! Sec Is declares the road public highway
and pOst-road, and gives the right to construct
| telegraph lines, rates to be fixed by Congress
! Sec. 16 compels the reception and transpor-
tation of freight in The order OF delivery at
/ reasonable rates.
Sec II compes the acceptance and trans
] portation Of cars from any company or in
| dividual; forbids any undue preference, and re.
| quires service 10 be performed in the order Of
| delivery upon fair aud reasonable rates, to be
! fixed by a Commission.
Sec IS defines "bullx freights" to include
all articles 6f freight not in packages placed
In the cars by the shipper without handling By
the railroad company and by the carload. aud
specifically enumerates coal, grain of all kinds
| provisions not in packages, lumber, ores OF
metals, and live stock for market, and fixes
a maximum rate not exceeding five mills pei
| toH per mile for distances over $50 miles, viii
a sliding scale gradually increasing the rates
with the sLortness of the haul, and adding
/ one mill per ton per mile for the winter
months, and that the maximum rates for al
other freights shall be fixed by Commission
N B.-The proposition of the company il
six mills per ton In summer and seven mills IL
wiuter.
Sec. 10 provides for the appointment of
Commission of hve-three 10 be appointed b.
the President and two by the company-t
classify freight and fix the charges thereon a
TO articles not above enumerated. 10 all case
a majority of the Government Commissioner
| is required, and the Commissioners shall b
paid fixed price for their services by tn
company. The same section provides sever
penalties for breach of duty by the Commis
| sioners.
Sec 81 requires that, prior to any aid bein
given by the United States, the company shal
satisfy the proper officers that they own, o
lawfully control by lease for not less thai
nnety-nine years, sufficient land for the ter
minal facilities of the road, and for prope
dockage, piers, warehouses and elevators.
Sections % and % provide the mode O
giving guaranty of interest on the bonds o
the company, and declare a first mortgage o.
the entire real estate of the company in favo
Of the United States.
Sec. "a provides for reserving out OF tn
earnings of the company and paying over
the United States annually sinking fund O
$1,000, 600.
Sec. 25 gives the right 10 borrow none
and give mortgages or trust deeds therefor
subject, however, in all cases to the prio
mortgage existing in favor OF the Unite
States.
Sec. 26 is formal, and regards details in RI
lation to such borrowed money.
Sec. % provides for inspection OF all book
papers, etc, and for quarterly and annual II
ports to Congress.
Sec. 2S provides for exchange of freight {
cars to and from connecting or iptersectin
railroads-rates, if disputed, TO be fixed b
arbitration.
Sec. 90 preserves the power in Congress
control, alter, modify, or repeal the cha
ter.
This bill Is submitted with this report to II
House of Representatives for information, NJ
for present action.
-