EXHIBIT "A." COLUMBIA AND GREENVILLE RAILROAD. Statement Showing Loss of Revenue on Cotton under Commissioners' Standard Tariff as Compared with Present Tariff for Eight Months Ending May 31, 1883. COLUMBIA AND GREENVILLE RAILROAD. Statement Showing Loss of Revenue on Fertilizers under Commissioners' Standard Tariff as Compared with Present Tariff for Eight Months Ending May 31, 1883. COLUMBIA AND GREENVILLE RAILROAD. Statement for September, 1882, Showing Tonnage and Revenue (except for Cotton and Guano) as Performed and Compared with the Commis sioners' Standard Tariff. CHARLOTTE, COLUMBIA AND AUGUSTA RAILROAD COMPANY. OFFICE TRAFFIC MANAGER, RICHMOND, VA., July 28, 1883. Col. T. M. R. TALCOTT, General Manager, &c., Richmond, Va. DEAR SIR: For the Charlotte, Columbia and Augusta Railroad I have the honor to hand you herewith such statements as lead to the conclusion that the Railroad Commission will advance the "Standard Tariff" for this company-at least on all classes for distances under 100 miles, and on the lower classes for distances over 100 miles. No road in the State of South Carolina is situated, in regard to short hauls and in point of competition, so unfortunately as the Charlotte, Columbia and Augusta Railroad. Struck at Columbia by two lines, at Charlotte by three, and at Augusta by four-all in active competition with it for business, not only at the points of junction, but for its local business. This, with the prevailing low rates at the junction points, makes it peculiarly susceptible to the competition of other lines even for its local business. No better evidence of this can be found than the fact that the rates from Eastern cities are in many cases lower to Winnsboro than to Charlotte; that rates to Trenton are lower than to Winnsboro; that rates to Johnston's are lower than to Trenton; and that rates from Charleston are lower to Trenton than to Johnston's; lower to Johnston's than to Blackstock's, and much lower to Trenton than to Chester; and, though all these are local stations, the company is unable to control equal rates from points beyond its own line, though equidistant from points of shipment. This is true as to the cotton and guano as well as to general business. There is no road of equal length in this, or perhaps in any other State, whose haul shows so low an average as the Charlotte, Columbia and Augusta Railroad. During the last fiscal year 50,826 average bales of cotton, weighing 460 pounds each, were transported from local stations. Of these 19,276 bales were forwarded via Charlotte, 13,456 bales went via Columbia and 18,094 bales via Augusta-the average haul being 36 miles. The transportation of guano may be demonstrated in the same way. Of 8,969 tons transported, 2,333 tons came via Augusta, 1,858 via Charlotte and 4,776 via Columbia—the average haul being less than 40 miles— the rates on which are reduced by the "Standard Tariff" over one-half. It may be said that our rates on guano and other gross and heavy articles have been very high. This is too true, unfortunately, for us and those who rely upon this road for transportation. It is well known that these high rates were not voluntarily made, but are the result of a decision rendered by the highest tribunal of the State-which practically says that we shall charge the same rate for a ton of guano, a ton of meat or a ton of bagging as for a ton of silk. The practical operation of this decision rendered necessary a very large reduction on the first six classes and a corresponding increase in the rates on articles lower than sixth class. It is true, therefore, that our rates on guano and similar articles have been relatively very much higher than articles belonging to the higher classes. We sought not to increase our per ton revenue, but to maintain what theretofore had been received, in order to at least maintain the then existing by no means satisfactory efficiency of the road. In this we were disappointed. The per ton revenue was reduced and the gross earnings barely maintained, while every other road in the State increased its earnings with the increasing prosperity of the country. In reply to this, the Board of Commissioners will say that they propose to advance the rates on the higher classes, which their "Standard Tariff" would seem to indicate. By glancing at the proportions of revenue contributed to the whole by each class and comparing them with the rates of the "Standard Tariff,'' we find that on the first four classes there seems to be an average increase of about 20 per cent., while on the remaining and more important classes the reductions will average over 40 per cent. I have the statistics of four roads in South Carolina, (one of large earnings and three of smail,) showing the earnings by class on general merchandise. The almost uniform class percentage on each of these roads is remarkable. These statistics show that of the revenues earned there was contributed by the first to fourth classes inclusive on two of these roads 38 per cent., by one 36 per cent. and by the other 41 per cent.-the average of the four roads being 38 per cent. from first to fourth class and 62 per cent. from the classes under fourth class. It will thus be seen that, whilst the tariff does increase the four highest classes about 20 per cent., such increase relates to but 38 per ceut. of the revenue, and that for the remaining 62 per cent. the reduction is about 40 per cent. I hand you herewith cotton and guano statements, showing the earnings to have been for the nine months ending Juse 30th, 1883: On cotton $76,364 26, from which the application of the "Standard Tariff" will make a reduction of $15,398.22-equal to 20 per cent. The guano earnings, $30,233.60, are, under the "Standard Tariff,” reduced to the extent of $11,150.25-equivalent to 36 8-10 per cent. The reduction on cotton and guano together is $26,548.47. The records of this road do not show the tonnage by classes; but, assuming the reduction contemplated by the "Standard Tariff" to be no greater than other roads for which statistics have been obtained, we find the reduction on all local freight (except cotton and guano) to be $39,373.79. Add to this the reduction on cotton and guano, already ascertained, and we have a total reduction of $65,922.26, equal to 32 8-10 per cent. of the entire local freight revenue. These statements are based simply upon the reductions contemplated by the rates of the "Standard Tariff." There has been no allowance made, nor is it practicable to make an allowance, for the reductions in the classification. I will here state that a large amount of business to the stations of this road is received from other States, and that I think it therefore of very great importance that the classification should be more nearly assimilated to that of the Southern Railway and Steamship Association. The local first class passenger earnings for the nine months ending June 30th, 1883, amounts to $36,647.64. The "Standard Tariff" con templates a reduction of 25 per cent., or $9,161.91. When it is considered that the average number of miles traveled by local passengers is but 27 miles, it would seem that any reduction in the passenger revenue would be unfair to this company. Recapitulating the reductions proposed by the "Standard Tariff" we find the total reduction for the nine months to be as follows: Assuming that the earnings for the three remaining months of the present fiscal year will be the same as for the same period of 1882, and applying the percentages of reduction under the "Standard Tariff," as above shown, the result for the full year on the local receipts from freight and passengers will be It is needless to say that if these reductions be enforced the gross revenue will not meet operating expenses. Respectfully, &c., SOL. HAAS, Traffic Manager. |