The New York herald., 1869-12-10

1t will be seen from these figures that the average
rate Is about So rs. 1t could be easily demonstrated
was, In fact, recently demonstrated by a practical
railroad man In somewhat exhaustive paper-that
at halt the present rates OF transportation railroads
tapping the coal regions might declare large diyi-
dends; but the fact that certain routes hold mo-
nOpOIy OF the business has Kept the experiment from
being tried. proposed through traffic railroad
from the Schuylkili region TO New York bay was
surveyed In 1905 and pronounced practicable; but.
70 Tar as learned, the project has never
been practically endorsed by capitalists
TO the extent OF paying in the needed moneys. The
distance TO the bay by tins route from Mount Carbon
Ia only 127 mics, with only two points involving
q train OF i20 cars carrying four and half tons
per car could be transported over at expense OF
three and hall cents per ton. The application oil
steam to the PROPULSION oi canal boats by the Phila-
deiphi0 transportation and Freight Company last
year was also interpreted u.s. iorerunner OF IAN
connection with the Schuylklll Canal. The result
was demonstration that boats could be propelled
BY steam at as low rate as ninc cents mile against
twenty three cents by horse power and with gain
IN speed OF six miles an bour. rms would nave rem
dered possible deliver coal this city at about
eighty cents per tOn and would nave kept the first
cost OF coal IN the New York market under S4
Atom. The great drawback TO reduction in coal is
found m the transportation companies and these
are loagued In practical combination, besides own
ing large coal properties. there Is no remedy,
tuVsO dkdlusL ulIu PRICES except economy Oh con-
sumption. with proper economy coal can he mined
prohtably ut 50 75, or perhaps at 81 60 ton; with
proper economy OF management 1t can be delivered
IN THIS CITY at SO 10 or So So the present cost al the
Mines and Of these TWO facts every practical
mist who has looked into the subject at all Is per.
fecty aware. The American railroad interest IL on
she eve OF an agitation relative to the question OF
oight and passenger tariffs which cannot but prove
beneficial TO the business circulation OF the country
The agitation OF the subject has already begun in
England, ana vast amount OF material has been
coilased In France and Belgium, where the roads
ment OF low. tariffs has been tried, with
the result OF rendering the roads more
Sse ounS thai ea snd ana
ton increased more than IN Just ratio to the redlc-
ton. Those who are curious TO pursue the investi-
cation may consult the oflca reports OF continental
fatr0 IDS or give weeks study to English expert
ments on small scale looking to the determination
Of the question; and, in the meantime the topic
may DO reserved for the subject OF a separate paper
In the present condition oi tho mining interest ib
Is probable that, with economy, coal can be mined
At ~ 30 per ton furnishihg a5 mas been remarked,
16tr wages TO WOrKmen ana fair profit to capitalists:
and there rs certainly no reason why II should not
be retailed in the New York market at five dollars
per ton IN the present condition Of transportation
routes. The putting OF the rAlr0ad interess unuer
the supervision OF The general government would
AfOrd remedy for the gore OF one horn OF the evil,
which adjusted, the otner aud min n cause would
adjust Itself easily enough The question OF tarin
could then he maze the subject Of rigid invesga-
tlOn ana settled upon oasis OF Justice to pubic
interest aud the interests or trade wei as sticc
80 the stockholders. IL Is dlmcuit to Understand
what eject q repeal OF the tarln could nave ~ Con
gress other than to stop American product,on II
England without tariff, deliver coal IN the New
York market 1t i've dollars per ton, then at the
present rates OF transportation II English coal
comes into the market me American interest must
be abandoned. The great anthracite region OF Penn
sylvana, east OF the mountains, could no more
compete with English coal producers than with
producers OF English iron. The reason IS
foun0 In the relative rates OF wages paid,
and not in any want ol skll on the part
Of the American producer. The natural aivan-
tsges for inexpensive production are about equal
In oil respects. Eleven days labor produces a ton
oi iron IN England ON the average; and ON the ave-
rage. the same labor produces % marketable ton
mere. The difference IN the cost OF production is
caused by the small remuneration or the labor In
England and the large remuneration IN TINS country.
Inc production OF tine Schuylslll BASIN this year
mas exceeded that of 1868 by 100000 tons; ana the
ASSERTION tnat IN general the production rs snort or
the demand ana less than that oI last year Is not
true ss y proved by the staisHcs. OF the i've great
cxohs east oi the Atlantic rim the following u the
latest geological eslimate:-
r., Ctf.t4 has