Baltimore commercial journal, and Lyford's price-current. [volume] (Baltimore, Md) 1840-1849, 1848-11-18
100

From Baltimore to Pitsburg, by the Balt-
and Ohio Railroad via Cumberland
and the mouth of Savage river (Southern
ronte) ...... .......... ........ 1856 miles.
From Baltimore to Pittsburg, by way of
the York and Cumberland Railroad and
Central Road of Pcnsy lvania. .....3I6 "
From Philadelphia to PittSburg by Central
Road ........... ....... .33I5 {"
1t will thus he seen that, by the Harrisburg route
Baltimore would b. 40 miles nearer to Pusburg than
by the Cumberland and Savage river She
would also b. Is miles nearer than Philadelphia.
If the Northern CaStlrmans river be adopt.
ed by the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company,
the difference in distance OF the routes from Bal
tmore would not b 50 great; but it would still be
in favor of the York and Harrisburg route. These
advantages could not fail TO large portion of
Western trade and travel TO this road.
The committee do not wish TO be understood as
opposing connection h'twcen Baltimore and Pitts
burg by means of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad.
AS Batimoreans, they earnestly desire to that
great work extended to the banks of the Ohio river,
lis only profitable terminus. Whether Pittsburg or
more Southern point should be chosen for the CON
nection they leave be determined by those having
the management of the affairs of that corporation If
a connection be made al Ptsburg, it would not ne
cessarly follow that the interests of that work and
of the York and Cumberland road would be conflict
ing II we regard the rapid and daily increase of
the western States in wealth and populations and
innate from their past progress what will be their
future greatness, we will find that in few years,
the business OF that wonderful region will furnish
amount OF freight and travel sufficient to give
slant and profitable employment to both works. In
$50, the population of the Mississippi valley was
l,06i 1903. In 1910, it had reached $685., 57S. BY
the same ratio of increase, in l77O-(w twenty
three years Dit will b. % ZOO 0O0 Some idea may
be formed of the value of the agricultural products
of this region from the estimates furnished in the re-
ports of the Commissioner of Patents for the year
1915, by which it appears that, besides other staples
the corn crop alone for that year amounted to 273,-
$4,000 bushels, and the wheat crop to 1854 bush
els considerable amount of these products is sent
annually to the Atlantic cities for foreign exporta
ton. Increase of facilities produces increase of
trade. If greater facilities of internal communica
ton offered, and the expense of transportation
thereby lrSScncd, how much greater amount of
western productions would annually pass the Ale
ghanies? And which of all the cities of the
board is more adyantageousy located for the West
crn trade than Baltimore: Nature has done much
for her. 1t only remains for her citizens apprec
ate her advantages and to improve them Human
art and enterprise may perfect what nature has done,
aud the monHnrntal city may TO herself the
larger portion Of the trade Of region able at all
times, from its surplus products to supply the
ing millions Of Europe with food!
The Committee, therefore, think that both connec-
lions with the Ohio might very properly be made.
The construction Of the York and Cumberland road
would cost comparatively small sum. This can be
spared from Maryland aud Pennsylvania capital and
auaIancc of means lcll for the completion Of the
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad.
In conclusion Of this part Of their report, the COM
mittcc would rrcapulatr the following important |
items from which the profits of this road might be |
expected to arise:
l. THE PRODUCE TRADE OF WESTERN AND SOUTH
EEN PETSsYLvASIA.
The amount Of this trade would be large and its |
nearest market Baltimore
}. THE LUMBER TRADE.
This road would being Baltimore in direct commu-
ncation with the pine forests of the Upper Susque
hanna, aud with MiddI,town. the greatest lumber |
market in the Southern or Middle States.
3. THE IRoN AND COkL TRADE.
Tn" anthracite and bituminous coal basins Of Dau- |
phin county would soon supply this road with trade
which Of itself would render it a profitable invest
mcn From the great Differences in the cost of fuel
upon the routes coal could be carried at much
less expense upon this than upon the Reading Rail
road
4. THE PASSENGER TRAVEL OF WESTERN PENN
sYLvASGA.
This road would furnish the shortest and cheapest
route to Washington for three ourths of the counties
of Pennsy ivana, and to many Of the Southern coun-
ties of New York, containing together population
amounting TO two millions. Passengers could leave
Harrisburg at four o'clock in the morning, reach
Baltimore in time for breakfast and thence proceed
to Washington where they could arrive by eleven
O'Clock.
5. THE FREIGHT AND PASSENGER TRAVEL OF
THE WEST.
When the Central road is finished this must be |
very great. This road will possess advantages which
enable it to compete successfully for this trade with
any other work
Ill. ADVANTAGES TO RESULT TO BALTIMORE
AND MARYLAND FROM IT'S CONSTRUCTION.
The Baltimore and Su>qnahanna Railroad extends
from Baltimore to the Mary land line, and thence by
of the York and Maryland line railroad to
the borough of York. distance of IS miles. In this
work the State of Maryland has invested s. ,SS4,-
05i.25-busidcs large arrvaragJs of interest due
from the company, and Baltimore city $500 900
Nearly every ton of freight, and every passenger
passing the York and Cumberland railroad
would also pass this road The former would
be about % miles in lcngth; the latter just twice that
lie 9Th. The trade Of the York and Cumberland
Railroad would thus swell the receipts of the Balti
more and Susquchanna road, and would soon render
profitable the large investments of State in that
work-and eventually enable the company to make
dividends TO the city and the private stockholders.
Another result even more important would be the
creation of and valuable trade for city, af-
fording employment for her capital, field for the
enterprise Of her merchants, and strong and last
ing impetus to her growth and prosperity.
Nor would the advantage arising from this work :
result solely TO State. Pcnnsy vania is
equally interested in its completion. BY this means,
the citizens of many of her congressional districts
will be benefited by having nearer and cheaper
route TO the National Capitol and other Southern
Cities. Thousands of the farmers of her interior
counties would find their lands increased in value
from the increased convenience for sending their =
crops to the markets of the Atlantic scaboard Coal
fields and mineral lands neglected and value
less would be opened and give wealth TO their pos
SCISSORS Thus, while part Of that State would be :
injured, thousands of her citizens would receive i'm
p0rtant benefits from this proposed connection with
our cty-a work which would create business for !
itself by producing trade and increased travel
The committee therefore think, that the agrcultu-
raj interests Of Pennsy vania and the commercial in
tcrests Of Baltimore would alike be promoted by
the construction Of the York and Cumberland rail-
road They also believe that it would be profit =
able investment for capitalists.
The committee have thus cndeayercd TO discharge
The duty imposed upon them. II will be for the "
Board TO take such action upon the subject Of this
report as to its members may seem proper: :
COLEMAN YELLOTT,
II. NJ. MAGRAW, .
WILLIAM p. POUDER,
Committee. {