Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1874-01-12

satisfied that congress would act upon
this subject, under the power TO regulate
commerce between the States, and gave
his views in favor Of q freight railroad,
thirteen hundred miles long, showing
the great advantage which would result
both to the western producers and the
eastern consumers, while the road itself
would be 3 source Of great profit. He
could see that, with All extra enterprise
Of this character, there would be sueh
reduction of transportation rates a.
would enable rs to successfully compete
In European markets with the wheat Of
tire Black sea and Mediterranean. A
proposition TO construct = dOuble-tFack
road from some point on the Hudson to
Council Bluffs, with branches to st.
Louis and Chicago, had been made, but
the projectors require the United States
to guarantee payment of interest on
certain OF their bonds. He hoped, in the
course of a week to prepare a bill EN-
bodying its pledge of credit of the
United States with such guards and
guarantees as would prevent the occur
renee of such impOsitiOns, by railroads,
as those to which they were now sub
ject.
Representative Hereford said thai in
stead of voting to reduce he should vote
TO increase the appropriations for rivers
and harbors.
Representative Mckee explained
that when there was so much talk about
retTencbment, all he knew was that a
good deal of money would be spent, for
many members of congress had bills
prepared for buildings for their respect
i've localities, and they would resort to
lOg-rOlling to pass them. The pOsto4fice
building in New York cOIld be stopped.
It cost four times as much rs was re-
quired to complete the Fort st. Phillip
canal, so that the commerce of the Mis-
sissippi river could reach the sea. He
would say, in the words of another,
''Let Us place the money where it will
do the most good" Laughter.
representative Bass spoke of the i'm
portance of immediate relief by deepen
ing the st. Clair flats and the channels
of the lakes and the mouth of the De-
troit river, which, in all, would not ex-
ceed two million dollars.
Representative DObbins declared him
self in favor heavy appropriations, and
complained of delays and the ineffi-
cheney of accommodations for stock
from the west to the east.
Representative Lutterell was for COM
pelling railroad companies to cheaper
their freight, and would vote for every
proposition to open up important rivers
to commerce.
Representative Stanard felt gratifed
with the discussion; they had all re-
ceived the light for which they came.
Representative Sewer said his State
had long been committed to cheap
transportation, and would indorse any
and every proposition having that Ob-
jeet in view.
The meeting then adjourned, to meet
two weeks hence, when the committee
on railroads and scanals wi have ma
tured some practical measure which can
be considered.
WASHINGTON, January IL Rep
resentative HurlbuTt, of Illinois,
member of the committee on railways
and canals, will probably tomorrow in
trOduce bill, the features of which he
foreshadowed at the meeting of the
friends of cheap transportation last
night, for the construction of double
track freight railway from New York to
Council Bluffs, with branches to Chicago
and st. Louis, the same to be construct
ed and operated by corporation under
the auspices of the general government,
and controlled by board Of
government commissioners. The
rates for transportation on cereals
are to be fixed at five mills
per ton per mile for any distance over
seven hundred and fifty miles, the en-
tire length of the road being fifteen
hundred miles: for shorter distances
than seven hundred and fifty miles rates
are to be little more than five mills
per ton per mile. The road is to be
operated exclusively as q freight road
for cereals, stocks and other produc-
tions. Trains will run at the quickest,
but most economical, rate of speed,
which will be at least ten miles an
hour. The cost of the road is estimated
at one hundred and seventy-five million
dollars, including necessary rolling stock.
The government aid suggested is a
guarantee of five per cent. on thirty mil
lions of dollars worth of bonds. The ca
pacity of the road will be sixty thousand
tons a day each way. The commission
ers are to fix the various rates of trans
pOrtatiOn and make suitable provision
for the care and safety of freight carried.
When the road can earn beyond what
is necessary tor the payment of the in
terest on the capital stock and eight per
cent. dividends, the rates of freights
originally established, will be reduced.
Colonel D. R. Anthony, Mayor of