5

the whole coal trade of the past year, graduate their toll
sheet in the same manner, with the difference only their local
rates, on hauls of fifty miles and under, are from thirty to
sixty-six per cent, higher than those of the Cumberland and
Pennsylvania Rail Road Company. If it be complained that
the latter company charge the full rate of six cents per ton
per mile allowed by its charter, then it may be stated that
the former do the same, and more, with no apparent discon-
tent on the part of its customers. As an example, take the
village of Barton, the coal companies there shipped the large
quantity of 176,463 tons over the Cumberland and Pennsyl-
vania Rail Road in 1866, to Piedmont, five mile, at the
gross cost per ton of thirty cents.. The same operation con-
ducted on the Baltimore and Ohio Rail Road for the same dis-
tance, would have cost the owners or shippers fifty cents per
ton according to their present rates of charge, or sixty-six and
two-third per cent, higher than the heaviest rate of charge
ever imposed by the Cumberland and Pennsylvania Rail Road
Company.

The Baltimore and Ohio Rail Road Company is here cited
in comparison, for the only reason that that great corpora-
tion was the pioneer of its kind in Maryland, and its powers
made the model of all subsequent railway charters of the
State.

Its great length, comparatively level engineering features
and discretion to impose remunerative rates upon short dis-
tances, have made it profitable to its shareholders, whilst the
short line, very high grades, involving great expense in
operating, and a strict adherence to the letter of its corporate
powers, have been attended with the very reverse results on
the part of this railroad company.

To the further question of your Honorable Body, as to the
rates of wharfage charged upon the coal at Cumberland, this
company respond that the matter referred to is under the con-
trol of the " Potomac Wharf Association," a distinct corpo-
ration of the State, which fixes the charge per ton from time
to time, at its discretion. ^

The feature of the order of your Honorable Body, as to
"whether any special agreement have been made with the
American Coal Company, the George's Creek Coal and Iron
Company, the Central Coal Mining and Manufacturing Com-
pany, or the Borden Mining Company, by which they or
either of them transport coal on said road at less freight than
any other coal company on the line of said railroad," is
answered in the affirmative, and the following statement in
explanation respectfully submitted :

First. The Cumberland and Pennsylvania Rail Road Com-
pany have an agreement with the American Coal Company,
now within ten months of expiration, by which, and in con-
sideration of, the advance to it of a large sum of money, (to