Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1870-09-24

ADVERSE DIsCRJMINATIoN.->Since the GdL-
LETT Bros, left town with their manufacturing
establishment upon the alleged ground of the
high tright tariff on their goods, our citizens
have shown disposition to complain that our
railroad tariff schedules should be made TO dis
criminate so unfavorably against local industry
and prosperity. They consider that any ar
rangemcnt, by which this local business is put
at disadvantage with similar business carried
on at much more westerly points both seek
ing an eastern markets. unsupported by any
argument founded on fairness and Justice
The allegations of the GILLEvTs were that
the securing of car accommodation was some
times quite difficult and uncertain, while at
such point as Toledo, no such difficulty was
experienced. 1t was also alleged ,ha, the ia
IiF rates were less from that point, uotwth-
standing the considerably increased distance,
than from this. Similar complaints are heard
from other shipT ers of bulky freight. Ii these
things are so, Ii is plain that manufacturers at
this and similar points are thereby unable to
enter the eastern markets as equal competi-
tors, and ste influence OF our railroad compa-
mics is thrown against the small towns along
their lines, and in favor of ccntralizing busi-
ness in the larger, though more distant ones.
These things 1t is said have been LAID before
the conpanies. and relief sought from what
seemed to tc an Vu iriendly and unfair discrim-
inatiop, but these representations have failed
to resaoVe the evils complained of In the alb
sence of all competition IN the carrying busi-
ness, IL was supposed that relief was hardly
10 be looked or hoped for. This hopelessness
led the establishment to which we have al
luded-a large and Important one to our vii
lage-to pull up stakes and remove its works
to Buffalo-a heavy loss to us, and loss to
the business of the Lake Shore COMPANY.
These things, dwelling upon the minds of our
citizens, very naturally lead TO general sur
Vey of the field, and TO inQuising into every
thing promising rellef-partial or possible.
Inquiry has been pressed to an extent that has
put our citizens in possession of facts with re-
gard to the ireighting traffic of the Erie line to
Buffalo, thence by propeller to Cleveland, De
troit and other western points to Chicago,
that show that fteights to Cleveland are con-
siderably less than those paid by all rail,
along the usual route of present shipment
The plasssibility and even probability of &C.
curing the Erie line, with its water connection,
TO deliver freight for this region-both interior
and lake-board--at this harbor now affording
ample water. is being mooted by our citizens
with whom the idea is quite a taking one,
There is little doubt, it is thought, that the E.
rie line would, upon application, come into
such an arrangement, and thereby the advan-
tage OF competing interest for the business
OF this region, be enlisted. Indeed, we under
stand that correspondence has already been
opened upon the subject Conversations with
some of the officers of the Erie liae of propei-
lers elicit very favorable view of the matter
and encourage the movement There are par
ties at the Harbor who would open store
house for the accommodation of Sreights and
freighters, and the saving on heavy goods
from New York, even at Cleveland rates, we
are told, would not be less than $3 u tou.-
This when spread ever the large amount of
freight coming to this place, much of which
is distributed to interior towns more or less
scattered throughout the country, it will be
seen' Is an object worthy of thought and eff
fort
we snail probably make further allusioR to
THIS matter IS We learn the result of the cor
respondence now going on. OF course, such
ON arrangement could only take place during
the season of navigation. Our Lake Shore
Company has 1t In their power to prevent such
an arrangement by a rearrangement OF it's
schedules of rates for this point; and it would
appear TO be but the exercise of sound policy
to bestow attention and consideration upon
the subject, before such competing interest
should be brought into exercise.