The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1874-11-25
New York and Cheap transportation

New York and Cheap Transportation
New York has apparently become very
much excited, and, We conjecture, anrea'
sonably SO. We have no idea that any grea
inroad IS to be made BY any other Atlantic
city upon the position Of that great en'po
rum as the point Of concentration OF com
merce and The settling point for this cont
ncnt, The facilities Of New York are incom
parably above any and all others, ana nei
position is beyond the reach OF conpet'''ot
save ONLY TO u limited extent.
The merchants of that city are, however
rcrv much excited, and are studying The
questions Of freights and shipments very
earnestly. A combination has been tormeo
there bv the Cheap Transportation Society
and the various Commercial boards to de-
wise means of iberating the trade OF Ne"
uYork from those monopoies railroads.
switch have operated so ipjuriously TO
"the growth and proper development " Of
New York.
One Of the steps contemplated by the mer-
chants is "the improvement of the water
IS front, and all that relates to the fscilltaiion
"of loading and unloading Of goods" Our
readers will see that the distinguished mer-
chants of New York give proper considera-
ton 10 the ways and means for shipment of
for the goods that come into their city.
This will be to US here word Of cheer to
go ahead with our effort 10 deepen the
- sr;y on1 fhn n.
commodations for our maritime trade.
The merchants of New York hope to de.
yelop such agencies as should break down
the present railroad monopolies and compel
such reduction of rates as I" will maintain
" New York in her true place as the great
"cen,re of the trade of the United States
One poin: brought ont in discussion is, that
under the Saratoga compact Baltimore has
the advantage of fifteen per cent. in mileage
over New York. The alternative left New
York merchants, according TO one promi.
nent merchant, is that they must be ready to
sell their goods at a price as much below the
quotations OF other cities as will make up for
the difference in freight charges.
The great expedient suggested, however,
is Il double-track railway from New York to
the West. This, it is argued, would be a
relief from all perils and protect New York.
The wealth of that city could readily build
such road.
Whatever New York may do to cheaper
transportation will be good for the country :
but we think there is an unnecessary fuss
made over the question. Nearly all the bu>i'
ness OF the interior tends to New York. 1t
may pass through other places, but it reaches
New York at last. Still, we admire the
spirit of devotion Of citizens TO their own
town. They deserve well for standing up
for the good Of their community.
The double-track railroad spoken Of we
do rot believe in much. Its construction is
predetermined, at least. We believe that the
Central water-!ine, by the james River
route, would be of more benefit to New
York than such railway as is talked Of.
Nevertheless, let New Workers do what they
choose. They pay their money, and they
should take their choice. But if they eX-
pect the Federal Government to build such
q Dad we hope they will be disappointed.