New Orleans Republican., 1873-07-25


are taking the trade from the canals. The
total tons moved on the canals and rail
roads to New York was as follows:
1867. .........s .5ss.:Ss ,:,sos;a ,i.s5s sss
It will be thus seen that while the canals
have within ten years increased their ton
mage about eighteen per cent, the railroads
have enlarged their business about $50 per
cent OF course there is much additional
rail, and this adds to their formidable
power Of competition. 1t may be stated
as significant Of this power that the GUAM
tity of grain moved by rail has increased
within the decade 300 per cent, or from
less than 100000 tons in 1862 to 3,O57,-
1GS. The canals within the same period
declined twenty-five per cent, or from
2.494. .O36 tons Of grain to 1,SG3, ,s6s. The
whole increase of this business has gone
and will go to the railroads. It may be
added that these canals have lost the -four
trade almost entirely. There was formerly
shipped from Buffalo to Albany, by canal.
or in 1862, 1,S26,509, and in 1872 only
l4S. .431, chiefly manufactured in the State
of New York.
The Baltimore roads brought las. year
1882. and the Boston roads 9SS,
barrels. besides other quantities delivered
direct.
These figures bear directly on New Or
leans. because it shows that railroads can
take trade from canals. and even across
the Mississippi and Ohio rivers. 1t may
be well to examine the reasons for this:
I. The rapid and certain delivery Of a
commodity enables the shipper to COM
mand market prices and realize on pro-
duce bills. This is really decisive as
against any indirect or slow transporta-
tion. in respect to any commodity having
much marketable value. or subject to tluc-
tuation. 1t. indeed. even affects coal,
stone or lumber, if the owner needs his
money.
2. A railroad company. as the common
carrier and owner Of the way, can so adjust
its freights as to carry any special CON-
modify for very small profit, relying Upon
other sources for indemnity and revenue.
3. The principal items in the expense
account Of railroad are interest on cap
ital stock. wear Of perishable property
and wages Of employees. These may
be safely estimated at seventy-fve per
cent OF its expense account. If, then.
in addition to these commodities whose
transportation pay good profit on the |
whole investment, there can be added a |
transportation. as of grain. which will pay |
more than mere running expenses, it is a
profit which costs the road nothing and
can not be dispensed with. Hence an
on which we have drawn fo-
many Of these tresher facts, says:
Even when the canal is open. if necessary.
the railroads, rather than let their locomo.
tives stand idle and to avoid discharging
their employees, will carry grain at canal
rates. Though the business is said to be
We have shown that it is not unprofta-
bic since it may aid in paying expenses
which are constant and must be met.
That the reader may See the compound
which these roads are pre-
oaring for each other and for New Or
cans, We may state that Boston has CON-
'leted the Hoosic tunnel which gives her
lirect connection with the grain fields.
The New York Central is laying down
wo additional tracks exclusively for
reight. The Erie railroad has doubled
is track. Philadelphia, Baltimore and
Iew York have each improved facilities.
nd the capital to be invested in railroads
bis year is estimated at from ffty to
twenty-five million dollars.
This extended statement OF facts has
cen made to remind our citizens of their
ctual condition and the competition with
hich they are threatened. 1t is to show
lem that their political evils, however
reat. are by no means the principal. s
he political embarrassment: may, by the :
nifcation Of all interested in the common t
elfare. be arrested. The reparation of
II commercial disasters is, We apprehend, {
SO entirely within the capacity Of our a
erchants, should they devote themselves !
the study and its remedy. We may '
pplement this long article by explaining e
e commercial policy necessary in re- .
acing this trade, if We may not in G
cd part regain it. I,
mean thing should be put Off until to- u
4 sla L / Y