7

years,) by the Central Opal Mining and Manufacturing Com-
pany, and the Borden Mining Company to stock the road with
adequate machinery, and upon a guaranteed daily transporta-
tion of a large quantity of coal, agreements were made with
each in 1864, and subsequently, at the then prevailing and
regular rates, for a specified period of time. Both these
special agreements have two years or less to run, and when
they expire, it is not likely the Cumberland and Pennsylvania
Railroad Company will open the door to the complaint of its
customers, by the renewal of any such engagements. The
origin of any and all possible complaint or discontent with
the charges imposed by this company, lie solely in the un-
fortunate fact that the railroad company could not look into
the future, and see the cost of labor and materials of all kinds
double up in value as they did after these several engagements
were entered into.

The Cumberland and Pennsylvania Railroad Company does
not believe it would comport with the State which conferred
its charter, nor its own sense of fair dealing and honor to
make any attempt to evade the exact performance of its part
of these several compacts.

It has been previously stated that its outlay, in money, to
maintain and equip the road in a manner to promptly meet
all possible demands for transportation, during the past three
years, has exceeded its income by more than half a million
of dollars, and this too upon a line of only 33 miles in extent.

Whatever may be the result in the end, the agreements
named must on their part be executed in good faith; but at
their expiration, now near at hand, your Honorable Body
may rely upon the fact that this company can have no motive
to discriminate for or against any of the many interests which
use its road, and that ultimately all such shall occupy a com-
mon basis so far as the action and policy of this corporation
may effect it.

This communication, or answer to the order of your Honor-
able Body is entrusted to the personal care of its Superinten-
dent for delivery, with instructions to appear before the Com-
mittee on Corporations, if necessary or required, and to an-
swer such questions as may be propounded to him.

In attestation of the foregoing, the Secretary has been
directed to sign this communication. and to attach the corpo-
rate seal of the company.

[SEAL.] . H. C. HICKS,

Secretary.