Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1853-07-19
railroad Discrimination.

First Branch of the City Council yesterday after
noon resolution was adopted, by nearly unani-
nous vote, requesting the directors OH the part of
the city in the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad to urge
the prompt abolition of the present passenger
through-ticket system, and also such arrangements
| in the transportation of freight us discriminate
against the interests ofBatinIore. During tile de-
bate on the resolutions, Mr.. Luckett the member
from the lth arl, read TIE following letter, adj
dressed TO him by number the prominent bu-
sness firms of the city:
BALTIMORE, July IS, 1853.
| Mn. JAMES H. I.UCRETT:
Dear Sir-Permit us 10 address you upon the
subject OF determinations that now exist, and have
been i'll existence for some months, by thu Balti-
more and Ohio Railroad Company, against the in
tereSs of the City of Baltimore, and Ill favor OF
| Philadelphia. a, F4r@, -,--5.--
list We state that the Company will carry goods
from. Philadelphia 10 Wheeling at the same rate as
they carry from Baltimore, and pay bonus oil saw
en- az cents for every 100 lbs. transported from
Philadelphia to Wheeling, which, with the pay
ment TO the Baltimore and Philadelphia Railroad
Company, their proportion of the fieightwill make
a discrimination of about 8 cents for every 100
pounds against the city of Baltimore.
| I'd. We state that the Company will carry n
barrel of flour from Wheeling to Philadelphia, al
The price as they will bring 1t TO Baltimore,
and other produce in the same proportion, and pay
a bonus of cents per 100 lbs, or about III cents
per barrel, for the procuring such produce, which
we believe Is more than the full commission charg
ed by the merchants there for selling flour, there
by actually offering inducements 10 carry trade
from the city OF Baltimore.
Sd. We state that the Company has given pr-
gritty 10 freight sent from Philadelphia over freight
sent from Baltimore, Us will be sustained by the
enclosed letter from one of tue argesl houses IN
Louisville The effect OF this would be 10 literal
ly destroy all the trade we have with the West.
WaS fa To in ha ~ tfu ~ IN.
Calhoun & Co., the company's sub-agents, both
here and in Wheeling, had no knowledge OF It,
and that it was impossible further 10 determine
whether the first class of freight was charged as
second class or not. This was admitted by Nj.
Parker General Superintendent of he Company.
9Th. II was admitted by MIR. Harrison. President
of the Company, that the Pennsylvania Railroad
Company had 10 conform to their prices because
they were losing their trade.
9th. 1t is our opinion that if the Baltimore and
Ohio Railroad Company will make their termina-
ton in the city oil Baltimore (not Philadelphia
they can take an independent stand. and that the
superiority of their road over all other avenues 10
the West las been SO clearly demonstrated that
they can maintain that Independence without
forming any connections with any othef coInpa
MES, and that the trade of the West will naturally
flow over their road, which must make Baltimore
large commercial city, thereby carrying out the
design of the city when The road was chartered.
7th. All we ask as merchants who have deep
interest in the welfare OF the city and WHO are
deeply interested ourselves, is simple justice;
That Is 10 say, we want no determinations "a
gainst Baltimore, and are ready and willing 10
pay pro rata per mile for freight over the road,
whether the terminus be in Philadelphia, Balti-
more, or elsewhere, n a.
9Th. We would state that in order 10 concen.
trate trade in the city of Baltimore, we make it a
practice TO guarantee that the price of all domestic
fabrics shall be as low with us as they are either
in Philadelphia or New York
9Th. In conclusion are OF the opinion that,
ifthe Pennsylvania Railroad Company should at
tent to make their terminus in the city of New
York, instead of Philadelphia, that The people Of
P Philadelphia would not submit to it one hour.
May we ask of you your influence before the
Council, 10 abolish the present unjust discrimina
tons. and TO look to and protect the Interests of the
city.
Here follow the names of sixteen firms, embra-
cling some of the largest houses in Baitnnore.1