Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1860-02-02
TIC Railway,

THE PRo-RATA WAR.-The Legislature of New
York is engaged in discussiag the prO-rata tariff
for her railroads. The subject is of general inter
est to railroad men and all shippers of goods east
or west, and we give brief statement of the
matter.
On Thursday, January 26th leave was given in
the N Y. Assembly to report a bill to levy tolls
upon the New York lines, or in other words, to
establish prO-rsta tariE, by which local freight
should be transported at the same rates, in pro-
portion to the distance, that was charged upon
through freight. Heretofore through freiRhts have
had greatly the advantage, the same price being
charged per barrel or cwt. from Rochester or sy-
raeuse to New York City as from Buffalo. Busi
ness men in the former cities were dissatisfied and
hence arose the discussion in the Legislature, and
the Introduction Of the above bill A remonstrance
to the bill was presented from the New York
Chamber of Commerce At the meeting Of this
body the President said that the bill struck direct
ly ct the railroad interests of the State and the
City. Mr.. Opdyke said it was more worthy Of the
dark ages than of civilized people. The genera
feeling was, that unless some check could be put
upon the movements of the Grand Trunk Rail-
road of Canada, or some counteracting influence
brought to bear upon Western merchants, itWould
take but a short tine 10 drive the trade of the
West through that channel to the East, and thus
iDiure the currency of New York. This bill, by
depriving the through lines, the Central and the
Erie, from under bidding, at competing points in
the West. the agents Of the Grand Trunk line,
would tend greatly to divert trade to the latter
line.
One gentleman said the only way to meet the
operations OF the Grand Trunk road was 10 fit the
Canal for steam navigation. 1t was also stated
that the Grand Trunk Railroad was making con.
tracts to convey freight FROM the West to Portland
at from FIVE to six dollars per ton less than the
same could be transported by the New York roads,
and in that way was constantly taking the trade
from New York; that the Grand Trunk was ne
gotiating for the pu chase Of the Michigan
Northern Railroad in order to make great chain
from the heal of the Mississippi TO Portland,
and that they should soon be completely hemmed
in.
On Friday last Mr.. Brooks, OF the Michigan
Central Road, Mr.. Hubby, Of the Cleveland, Co.
lumbus & Cincinnati road, Mr.. Phillips, of the
Boston & Worcester Road, Mr.. Brady, of the To-
ledo & Wabash Road. and other prominent railway
officers, appeared as witnesses before the Select
Committee appointed by the Legislature to report
upon the expediency of the pro rata bill Their
testimony fully established the fact that dscrimi-
nation n favor of through freights is unavoidable
in consequence of the greater cost Of transporting
way than through freight. Evidence was adduced
to show that the way freights of the New York
Central Road are lower than the local rates cor
responding distances on most of the principal lines
in the country. 1t was also shown that the adop-
ton and passage of the pro rata bill would tend
to divert the traffic to the Northern and Western
foreign lines thus iniuring both the Canal and Rail-
roads Of New York.
Thus the matter now stands There Is prOba-
bility that notwithstanding all the objections urged
TO the bills there will be enough influence brought
to bear upon it in the Legislature to pass and its
evil effects upon the trade and commerce Of New
York City, and the prosperity of not only her
Railroads, but also the Erie Canal, will be seen
too late. 1t has been charged that the whole plan
is plot of the Grand Trunk Railway of Canada.
Certainly it win be for the interest of that line as
well as Ot the FennsylVahla ana baluLnore EOuIsa
to have the bill become law.
Rates OF FARE.--On Monday q bill was intro
duced into the N Y. Senate making 1t penal Of
fence to charge more than two cents per mile upon
the N. Y.&E Roadfor Passengers.
The ATLANTIC & GREAT WEsTERN.-It is now
confidently stated that the Atlantic & Great West
ern Railroad (ex:ension of the Erie Broad Gauge)
viii be built, and the lake terminus be at this city
The line crosses the Cleveland and MahoniDg Road
at Warren, and the Pittsburgh at Ravenna. A
third rail will be laid from the point of intersection
of one or the other of these roads to this city
The Mahoning is preferable, being few miles
farther eastward, and consequently nearer, butt
is objected that the track at this city does not con-
meet with the other roads This will be obViated,
probably, by extending the MahOning track, as
was at first contemplated, around the bank Of the
river and crossing the river at the foot of Front
street. Such connection must be made some
time, and this arrangementwill probably be made
If it cannot be, and possibly at any rate, the Pitts
burgh track viii be used.