The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1873-01-03
From the United Presbyterfan.f :
CHEAP TRANSPORTATION.

The growth of our railroad systeI
is marvel. Railroad facilities sr
demanded by every community, ant
marrow gauge roads are crming int
use, that the market may be brougb
near to every farm. Still, that whiel
the producer requires has not ye
been attained, viz, renumerstivC
Iprices, because, of the very high
freight tariffs There are railroads
in everv direction, but the benefits oI
compt tition have not re Called expect
atoms, for the reason that all the
main lines are in the hands OF half q
dozen men, and whatever quarrels
they may have, they are careful not
| to lose their profits. The great grain
fields of the country are steadily
receding from the principal markets,
owing to the cheap land, but the
gain is balanced, and more, by the
cost of transportation. The produc-
ers must, in the first instance, pay
this in diminished prices. They re-
ceive the msket price, less the cost
OF getting it to the market, viz g, the
freights aud commissions 1t is said
that at the present time it requires
two bushels of wheat to transport one
from Illinoi, to New York, and in
many places in the West the corn is
burned for fuel, being cheaper than
coal or wood.
The result is that men abandon
farming for more lucrative employ
ments, and, as q further consequence,
the amount of grain raised is short
Of the demand, and spectators make
spoils, while the consumers pay un-
reasonable prices. The producer
and the consumer suffers, but the
parties between them are enriched.
From all quarters we hear com
plants of the exorbitant rates
charged by railroads, and earnest de-
mands for some remedy. We do not
know how much these rates could be
reduced, or what would be efficient
remedies. Railroad companies have
right to fair profits. and the eexpens-
es of operating roads are necessarily
heavy, but there appears to be ground
for the belief that in many cases the
rates are unnece ssarily and oppres-
sively high. 1t is much easier to see
and feel the evil than to propose the
remedy. Greater economy in the
managemeutof the roads is necessary
end would secure fair profits at lower
rates. The amount OF freight 10 be
transported has become so great
that leading lines should have
tracks to be used exclusively by
freight trains. 1t may be necessary
to have national legislation on the
subject, and we observe that the
question of the power OF Congress
over the interstate commerce has
already been raised. And finally,
great water highways should be pro-
vided. Our rivers are neglected,
while railroads are subsidized they
are bridged and obstructed, but rail-
ways go everywhere. They should
be protected, and, by Whatever
means necessary, made more servi-
ceable. Canals do not belong to the
past, but in the future will be more
used than now. We see that bill
has been introduced into Congress
for the construction of the "Atlantic
and Ohio'' canal, from tIde-wate on
Tho Japnaa Rivor tn the Ohi0 at TIL.
mouth of the Kanswha. We do not
know the merits OF the plan, but have
no doubt the i1es will be carried out
sooner or later. Whatever question
there may be as to the power or pro-
priety of Congress doing this work,
there can be none as to the improve
ment of the rivers. The 10000, 900
appropriated for gun-boats would do
immeasurably more good if spent in
improving natures great highways Of
traffic.