Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1873-01-24
AND LOCAL RAIL
eet ROAD FREH6suTs. 20

a bill to require the Railroads of this
State to make no distinction i'll charges
for the transportation of Local and
Through Freights, has given rise to
some discussion in the newspapers of
the State, and believing its passage
would not only be fatal to the building
of new railroads, but also injurious to
oar city as commercial centre and
shipping port, we hope that it will not
pass.
We believe this subject is misundcr-
stood by the public, and they are too
apt to lay at the door of Through
Freights'' all the complaints, and they
are many, which they find cause to
make against Railroad corporations.
And many suppose that their ownroad
is the only one which gives supposed
preference to distant shippers. AS
there is no road i'll this country, which
has connections with other lines of
transportation, either railroad or
steamship, which does not adopt
tariff of 60 Through Freights,' to
greater or less degree, we therefore
conclude that the system has the uni
versal endorsement of all railroad
managers, and we are forced to the
opinion that it's abuse, rather than its
legitimate effects, is the real source of
much well grounded complaint.
As we understand the difference,
Local Freight is that which passes
over one road, or part of road, and
Through Freight that which passes
over two or more roads. Thus the
North Carolina freighter has the
benefit of a through rate over all
the railroad and steamship lines
from New York, Philadelphia, and
Baltimore, until his freight reaches
the railroad Upon which he resides,
upon which he is compelled to pay
local rates. And the same rule holds
good upon the produce he ships from
home. And, indeed, he gets the ben
| eft of through rates whether he sells
at his nearest market-town or in the
Northern city, for the home purchaser
gives more for his cotton, naval stores
or wheat, because he can ship them
North cheaper than if local rates had
to he paid on all lines Of Transports
/ ton until they reache,i their final Ies-
tination.
Then why this distinction between
local and through rates?
First: 1t arises from the general
! principle that the longer the distance
/ freight is transported the less per mile
it costs the company. Any other rule
might amount to Il prohibition for. long
distances, and wonld work great bard
! ships to those remote from market.
Second Every railroad company
claims the right to fix such Local
tariff of charges for freight and pas
sengers as shall maintain its line. mod
fled as far as practicable by what may
be realized from such g through
freight " as it may be able, by lower
rates, to obtain.
Let us apply these distinctions, not
theoretically, but practically. The
Wilmington and Weldon Railroad anc
the North Carolina Railroad enter
into all agreement to make tariff o
charges on produce from all places oI
the latter road to Wilmington. as wei
as for return goods.
Take the article of wheat, Target.
produced on the line of the formc
road. The managers of the North Car
DINA Railroad say to those Of the VIII
mington and Weldon Railroad tina
they must have their local rates upol
wheat from Salisbury, Lexington AM
High Point, and also upon salt an'
molasses which our merchants send t.
these points. They hold that this
their freight exclusively, upon whic'
they must sustain their road.
If, then, the managers of the Whining
ton and Weldon Railroad would no
I
to Wilmington any cheaper than it di
the wheat of the Wayne county pre-
Queer, the wheat would go to Norfolk
Richmond or Charleston, all of wiic
are competing points. Or if the la
prohibited these through rates then h
producer in the interior would he beg
CARED while his more favored riva
would grow rich,
But the Wilmington and Wcldo
Railroad does take the wheat or sal
and mOlasses at twO-thirds or one a
of its local rates to GOldsborO, an
thus secures the trade for its line an
for our merchants. They are benefit
ted. And who is injured Not til
Wayne county producer, for he get
his wheat to market and receives hi
merchandise in return for onehaf whs
the Davidson county producer does
and he is that much better off. Nay
he gets cheaper rates because Of TIN
new business which is thrown upon hi
home road, by which its receipts az
increased.
, We aye speaking now of what Ina
. actually happened in the past. An
what in the future for our port?
, Take the Air Line Railroad, bein
. built from Charlotte to Atlanta. Fo
many miles southwest Of Charlotte
Wilmington will be the nearest Sc
port, and the natural outlet and inle
for all heavy goods for the vast sectio
of country to be opened by the compile
f ton of that road. IF the Wilmington
Charlotte and Rutherford Railroad car
not take advantage Of Throug
Rates" to bring to this city prodEc
beyond Charlotte, and return groce
ries, then we will be as much shut O.
from that countryas if there was nc rail
road connection with it. Charlesto
and Savannah would get not only thei