New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-04-13
Meeting of Bulk Grain shippers.


There was quite large meeting of the
the office of F. A. Seavey & Co, commits
sion merchants, yesterday, at one o'clock,
to consider what means for increasing bulk
tonnage could be most speedily and ef-
fectively obtained. 1t was stated that the
tonnage Of the present barge line seemed
wholly inadequate for the business, and
that since the bulk grain trade of St.
Louis had grown SO much beyond the
storage facilities of the St. Louis elevator,
the st. Louis warehouse and the East st.
Louis elevator, as to demand the immediate
erection Of several other elevators, it could
not be thought strange that the river
transportation Of bulk grain needed enlarg-
ing. One shipper stated that he had pur-
chased corn as early as last December
along the line Of the Illinois Central rail-
road which was still in store at Cairo for
want OF bulk transportation, and that he
was carrying An immense quantity Of corn
here at heavy expense, also for want of
bulk transportation at prices which would
enable him to come out without loss.
Another shipper stated that he had sold
large quantity of corn, to arrive in New
Orleans, upon an implied promise Of its
transportation from here at a certain price,
but that he had been unable to procure
the transportation, and had lost the trade.
He was still carrying the corn, and ex-
pected to make heavy loss upon it.
Another shipper stated that he had met
with an experience somewhat similar. He
had lost trade by being unable 10 get bis
corn in New Orleans on time, and had been
obliged TO sack the corn in New Orleans
and put it upon the market. Luckily the
market was good at that time, and he
suffered no great loss. But he believed the
future of the grain trade of this city de-
manded, not that we should have an in
crease of the capacity of our present barge
line, but that We should have competing
barge line. He believed that we should put
movement on foot to join New Orleans in
the esta blishment of new line, and thus
secure the lowest paying rate at which grain
could be carried.
Another grain shipper said that he be-
lieved money could be made carrying grain
at eight cents per bushel between here and
New Orleans.
Another shipper believed it could be done
with profit at six cents.
A Chicago man present stated that the
propellers engaged in the grain trade be-
tween that city and Buffalo had 1l0O miles
to traverse; that they could not carry more
than 10000 bushels on an average, and that
six cents per bushel was high average for
the season. They could only run five
months of the year. They brought back no
return cargo of consequence. They. were
compelled to be idle in port, under heavy
insurance, seven months Of the year. 1t
cost them nearly as much per day as it need
cost steamer or tOwbOat on the river,
while any towboat owned by the Missis-
sippi Valley Transportation Company can
take 300, 900 bushels to New Orleans against
the 10000 Of the propeller, distance being
the same. The towbOst, moreover, can get
sufficient up-cargo to pay for the home trip,
while the propeller can not. He believed,
therefore, if the barge line could get all the
bulk grain they could carry between here
and New Orleans, during even navigable
water periods, they should make money
at six cents per bushel, or even FIVE cents
per bushel.
A Pittsburg man present stated that coal,
weighing eighty pounds per Bushel was
carried from Pittsburg to New Orleans.
400 miles, for four cents per bushel on five
feet water in the Ohio.
A Mississippi river boat owner who was
present said that he had been running boats
for many years. He had also run barges,
and was now running a tow into the
Ohio river. loaded with iron ore I'D, and
general merchandise down, and he believed
that barge transportation could whip any
other method for cheapness Of price, pro
vided no insurance rings were formed
against it. Here in St. Louis the interests
Va SCit uOdU O"ucIS WtTc
SO interviewer with the insurance COM
panies that many outside boats were re-
fused insurance, and could not transact
business at this leyee in certain trades. He
believed the most serious draw back to St.
Louis commerce to-day was the unfair dis
elimination against outside boats in the
matter of insurance.
A New Orleans underwater was present,
and said that in future much of this evil
would be remedied, as he would soon he
to take cargo risks to any extent
upon boats that should pass inspection in
New Orleans, and he should endeavor, if
the promise of business was good, TO pro-
cure resident inspector, upon whose favor
able certificate he would take risks on any
boat or barge.
A steamboat owner from Dubuque pro-
posed to build a propeller and have il ready
to launch by August, capable Of carrying
$4,000 bushels Of corn in bulk on seven feet
Of water. Cost Of the boat. 10000, one
third of which he would subscribe himself,
balance to be placed here and in New Or
leans. If the boat was success, line of
six could be built, which would give US
line. This proposition seemed to
meet with good deal of favor, and it was
hoped that immediate steps for the organiza-
ton of the company would be taken. After
more discussion Of similar nature as the
above, the meeting adjourned to meet again
upon notification.