The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-09-11

charged by any road over which such freight
passes and fixing the maximum rate at stated
figure, securing at the same time competition,
free to work its reduction, by law preventing
an officer or director of any one railroad COR
poration being an officer or director of any
other, the word ''of6cer" being meant to apply
only to those comprising the general manage
ment The project of q government through
road is not one commencing itself to the best
Judgment. General legislation could be made
effective to secure all needed reform if intelli-
gently and Understandings applied, while it
would not be well to detach government from
its legitimate sphere of action by intruding
it into business competition with private in
dividuals. AS well might government be
asked to turn banker and loan money on the
street from day to day for the purpose of keep
ing down stringency. When we have lost
the power to regulate such direct personal
affairs as belong to our business it will be time
enough to hand them over to government
management Congress can extend great
relief, however, without going to this extent
and equally effective, both by the legislation
we have pointed out, and further by extending
encouragement TO the revival Of our merchant
marine.
It will not suffice to provide for the rapid
accumulation of grain at this centre if we be
without the means of forwarding it hence.
Therefore, while the subject of inland trans
portation is receiving attention, that Of secur-
ing means of rapid transshipment should not be
overlooked. We have already pointed out the
necessity of making provision for the quick
and cheap handling of freights here; but it is
equally important that ample freight room be
provided, in order that the cost of ware
housing be not unnecessarily added to the
cost Of transportation. Congress can help
to this by some liberal policy that
will stimulate American shipbuilding.
With the increased demand for freight
room, growing out of the fact that there is at
present very considerable diminution in the
merchant tonnage of the world as compared
with the demand, very profitable field of
Enterprise here presents itself, of which our
shipbuilders would not be slow to avail them
selves if properly encouraged by Congress.
LA1s, UeSlucS luSuIluS US Unnecessary luCLIVleS
for forwarding freight, would be of great ad-
vantage to us in giving us the freight charges
to help the reduction of our balance Of trade.
It is well to see this awakening of our citi-
zens to consideration of matters so impor-
tant in their bearing upon the future of this
city. Since Hendrick Hudson first navigated
the waters of that river which now bears his
name and laid the foundation of the present
Empire City New York has made giant strides
in the race for wealth and prominence, out
stepping all its rivals and rendering them in
a sense but feeders to its greatness. But since
that time never did it need so much it's best
effort and its most earnest enterprise to main
tain its supremacy. It is well that the mer-
chants Of New York have taken this matter
vigorously in hand at this juncture. It marks
crisis in our history, which we think can be
safely left with them to deal with to our best
advantage.
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