Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1860-08-16

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Virginia rather than by the shortest route in
Maryland. And by charging thirty-fve cents
more from Piedmont to Cumberland on coal
| to go by canal, than on the same coal to go
by railroad, to Baltimore. But tho main
question is, will the increase of the toll in
crease the revenue Of the canal2 To this
question, we reply: Cumberland coal has to
compete with Broad Top coal, in Fhiladel-
phia, and New York, and with Pictou, and
Sidney coal in Boston. Broad Top sells in
Philadelphia at $3.50, and in New York at
$500 per ton.
Under the present rates OF transportation
by the railroad and canal, the trade from
Broad Top increased, fifty per cent, in 1859,
sending 10000 tons, and is increasing at
the rate Of fifty per cent, in 1860, while the
increase of the Cumberland coal trade in 1869
over 1868, was about eleven per cent, and
the most sanguine do not expect as large an
increase this year. Showing, conclusively,
that Broad Top has great advantages over
Cumberland, Notwithstanding, the difference
in quality in favor of the latter, which are
enabling it to work its way to market, and
take the place of Cumberland coal
The anthracite trade, also increased, nearly
800 900 tons in 1859, and is estimated at an
increase of 100000 tons in 1860. THIS
facts show that Cumberland coal is laborng
under some disadvantages, which ought to be
removed rather than place others in its way
and we most respectfully ask whether a re-
duction might not be made Of the freights On
the railroad, which would turn greatly-to the
advantage of tire State, the Railroad Compa-
ny, and especially, to the city of Baltimore
Such a reduction would send to that city,
portion Of the trade which she ought to have
and which she never can have by an increase
Of tolls on the canal.
The railroad now clrries coal TO supply its
own consumption, the city of Baltimore,
points along the road, and manufacturing and
other establishments in the neighborhood of
Baltimore, besides the Cuuard steamers and
other parties who prefer Cumberland coal to
Broad Top at higher prices, while the trade
by canal supplies different class Of consum-
er., to whom the difference in quality is not
| of so much Importance, aud who would not
pay an advance over the present prices, unless
there should be Il corresponding increase in
the price OF Broad Top and Anthracite Goa,
of which there is no probability.
| The increase of the Anthracite trade over
ours, which has already been noticed, is ow
ing to the fact that very large portion ofour
coal goes to furnish the European steamers,
| running from New York, whose boilers are
built and adapted to its Use, while all the
steamers built, or owned in n. York, consid-
err Anthracite coal the more economical fuel,
and prefer it to Cumberland at the present
| prices.
! If this cause continues to operate. the con-
SUMPTION of Cumberland coal must decrease,
| and the consumption OF Anthracite increase,
in proportion as the commercial marine oil
tins country Is enlarged, and taxes the ocean
trade from 'oreish vessels.
1t has been contehded that the present rates
OF toll VIII not produce revenue enough To
keep the canal III repair out we most respect
fully dissent from That conclusion.
| There are now Zoo ooats on the canal, Win
an average capacity OF liz tons, and allowing
o months OF navigation Per.ahhum, they eau
| carry 50o,oO0 tons OF coal to Alexandria
Al 4G cents per this would yield $780,
900, to which add seven cents per ton lor
| boat tolls, S55,ooo, ana you nave an annual
| revenue OF SZGo,to0.
The Company estimate OF annual e1pen-
scs does not exceed SlZo wv II we adj TO
this Tor breaks, etc, S5o,0oo, 1t gives ns
Sl.o,0 oo, ana leaves surplus OF S9o'ooo,
and III corroooiation OF this, we may here oo-
serve, that IN the spring OF 1907, wheh the
lce-iresliet destroyed Dams 4 ana b, ltLo
cause OF an subsequent tro"pies,l THAT Inc
Company haa at tho same rate oil tolls, and
much lesstnhhage OF coal, actually accumu-
lated large sum OF money III their treasury.
FROM al these CONSCIENTIOUS we are lea to
The iherltaoic conclusion tha' an additional
export duty OF 70 cents per Ton imposed on
coai carried on inc caha', "ou.u diminish tiIe
trade ny that avenus 10 the ,u'l extent OF the
capacity oi Droau Top anu o'her Goals, 70
supply the deinah" Tor that ine' IN the North
erh cues without any corresponding auV"h-
taSe 10 the raiiro",'' the '''' Oh oa''nlofe' CT
the state 81 Maryland
hut on thS ctHer hah'i' !" "ou''i ariVo me
capitalists VINO are interested III the co"i heIoS
oil alrSany, 10 hho new outlet ior their
trade ny S"hhecthg themselves with the rail-
roads OF fehnSylVahia' oy means OF ran,
road from Cumberland % i,eaioru. winch VIII
require the construction OF ano 20 miles OF
road, over an easy route ana when adopted,
| Will enable them To- deliver the'r coal IN fhli-
adelphia and New YORK on terms oil equality
WIN DInau loP anu o'her Nol'nc'n c'as'
The difference IN the cost OF tranShipments,
handing commissions ana 'hc condition OF
the coal ON It's ARRIVAL IN INC market, would
more tian pay Tor transportation from Gum
GS y""r serious censerao o Whether !" yea
|