Page:Report from the Select Committee on Steam Carriages.pdf/24

, which the Committee beg to submit to The House.

No plan of Toll has been more frequently recommended than that of a charge in proportion to the weight of the Engine and load. As this is the most plausible, and (if it could be levied without other disadvantages) would probably be the fairest standard, the Committee have considered it right to state, at some length, their reasons for not recommending its adoption.

If weight be taken as the standard, the Toll must be a fixed charge, either upon the weight of the Engine and Carriage, without reference to the load; or, upon an estimated average of the load carried; or, a fluctuating charge according to the weight, at the several periods of a journey.

The first would be at least free from the uncertainty of the other two, and therefore, would be preferable; but what scale of charge per cwt could the Committee recommend as applicable to all roads? Their Toll should vary according to every different rate of charge on Carriages; besides, it would appear to the Trustees very unjust to exclude the consideration of that which would be deemed the most material cause of the wear of their roads; viz, the load.

A fluctuating charge on weight would be most injurious to a Carriage which will mainly depend for success on its speed; constant altercations would take place between the toll collectors and proprietors; a minute calculation would be required at every turn, pike gate; in fact, unless an accountant were placed at each, the Committee cannot conceive how the proportions could be satisfactorily arranged, nor would there be any desire on the part of the toll collector to shorten the delay occasioned by these interruptions.

Mr. Gurney has delivered in a scale of Tolls, graduated according to weight and width of tire of the wheel. As this has been drawn up by a person interested in the success of Steam Carriages, it might have been expected to be more favourable to them. The Committee, however, have not adopted it,