The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-12-13
THE BALTIMORE AND OHIO RAILROAD-ITS
PRESIDENT AND POLICY.

The Cincinnati Gazette of Friday, in an article
under the above caption-after speaking in
most complimentary terms of the qualifications of
the recently elected President for the post and of
his election as result of great Importance, not
only to the work itself, but to the commercial in
terests of Baltimore and Cincinnati, has the follow
ing general observations upon the subject of the
Road, its condition and prospects:
In taking his place at the head of the Company,
Mr.. Garrett announced definitely the general prin
cples and policy by which he expected to administer
its affairs. This programme has already been pub
lished in the newspapers, and is emnentlv broad
comprehensive and practical. 1t embodies an
economical administration in all the minutest de-
tails OF the service, and requires the srictest
countabiity by every officer and employee
Its leading feature, however, and the one to
which we propose most directly to refer, is the
grand commercial idea of securing to his road and
the city of Baltimore, the full advantages of their
geographical position, in being the shortest line
and the nearest city to the heart of the great
West
Under the influence of Mr. Garrett. as is known
to our business community, this plan has been, to
a considerable extent, already practically enforced
with the resut-both directly and Incidentally
of benetitting the business of Cincinnati and the
Ohio Valley generally. This has been done by so
arranging the rate of transportation groceries
and general merchandlse-but especially such lead
ing articles coffee, sugar. and others, for which
the Baltimore market possesses peculiar advantages
to secure considerable difference below the rates
from Philadelphia and New York, thus practically
and directly, have said, benetiting the trade
of the two cities of Baltimore and CINCINNATI
The same principle here briefly explained. is like
wise observed in regard to freghts from Cincinnati
and other parts of the West to Baltimore, by this
important line
Heretofore it has frequently happened that the
rates from New York to Cincinnati by the Erie and
Central Roads have been the same and no more
than they have charged to Cleveland, thus practi-
he mil of luz hot,
those two cities. 1t is evident that this done
merely to enable them to compete with the Penn
syIvania and Baltimore and Ohio Railroads for the
trade of Cincinnati and the Ohio Valley which is
reached more directly by them and which. with
their much shorter rail lines and their cheap and
reliable water communications between Baltimore
and Philadelphia and New York, were and always
will be able carry the trade between this region
and the seaboard much lower than the New York
lines But, however, the natural advantages of the
two Southern routes have been in great measure
restored by the adoption by the four lines in the
'New York Agreement of a proposition of Mr.
Garrett looking to the prevention Of the Northern
lines from direct and unfair competition.
BY enquiring of the Agents of the B. & o. Road,
we find that for some time past the following diff
ferences in rates have ruled, viz: From Baltimore
to all points west of the Ohio River they have
been less than from Philadelphia to same points by
their own or by Pennsylvania road-on first class
10 to Is per cents; I'd and 81 classes 10 CENTS and
4th class, 5 to cent. per 100 pounds. From New
York they have been so, %, 20 and Is by all lines
higher to Cincinnati and other points in the Ohio
Valley, than the rates from Baltimore by the Balti
more & Ohio Road. From Boston, the difference
has been greater still, thus showing the practical
value of the line in the particulars have explain
ed. On eastward bound freights the priciple,
with about the same differences, has prevailed
With reference to the passenger fare also,
find the results. Between Cincinnati and
Philadelphia it is, by all the lines, SlS two dol
lars more. Between Cincinnati and New York, by
all the lines it is SCI, or five dollars mere than the
Baltimore fare. The full local fare between New
York and Baltimore being only S6,we find that the
Baltimore and Ohio Road, in practice, has thus
thoroughly secured to itself and to Baltimore the
great advantages of its favorable position, in its
contiguity to Cincinnati and 'the Central West"