The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1873-06-26
THE TRANSPORTATION QUESTION.
A Memorial to Congress.

To the Senate and House of Representa-
t'ues of the Untted States :.
We, the undersigned, citizens of the
several States named below, would most
respectfully present this memorial
During the winter months, for years
past, there has been pressing want of
increased transportation facilities from
the West to the seabord. The railroad
companies have been unable to receive
and transport all the property offered
them, and their inability to meet the de-
mands upon them for transportation has
induced them to exact exorbitant rates of
freight, with results alike damaging and
disastrous to the agricultural, mannfac-
turing, and business interests Of the en-
tire country. The immense elevators
and grain warehouses of Chicago have
been Gin midwinter) filed to overhowing,
compelling them partially to suspend
business, so that the railroads bringing
grain from the West to Chicago have
been unable to unload their cars, and
consequently they have been obliged to
refuse transportation to their patrons
The warehouses in this country becom-
ing full, farmers have, in many instances,
been unable to find market for their
grain. This winter freight embargo has
also prevented the Western pork packers
and provision-dealers from realizing on
millions of dollars worth Of property
wanted in European markets. The i'm
possibility of shipping said property
when ready for market has resulted in
severe stringency in money-matters, de-
ranging and damaging business, and
causing financial failures. We would,
also. respectfully remind your honorable
bodies of the rapid increase of popula-
tion and of the agricultural growth and
industrial pursuits of the vast territory
(more than 500, 900 square miles, between
Lakes Michigan and Superior and the
western boundary line O.. Nebraska, which
to very great exent, is tributary to
Chicago in all business-matters, and
through viii h city the major portion of
the country must pass during the season
of suspended navigation of the lakes and
rivers, to reach the great markets of the
| Atlantic States and Europe. We have
observed with pleasure the several propo-
sitions for enlarged and additional water
facilities between the East and West, to
mutually benefit the producers and con-
sumers of our produce. We are con-
vinced that water-routes. however i'm
proved and enlarged, will not fully ar
swer the purpose desired, especially in
this northern latitude, where lake, river,
and canal navigation is suspended for
more than ONO third of the year, which
turns the entire transit-business on to
the present railroad-ines, greatly over
taxing their rolling-stock, at winter-rates
of freight; the effect Of which, as has
been shown, is to check grain in-shipments
to the East, thereby filing the immense
| warehouses in Lake Michigan ports at
long-storage rates with grain at low
prices. The farmers who can hold their
i corn-crop until the next spring can store
it at home for better rates Mt the opening
of navigation ; but those who esnnot do
so must often sacrifice their hst inter.
est to meet current EXPENSE and pay
msots wbaba ss ttH shuN .z1A the too.