New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-09-26
THE OOMMEROE OF PHILADELPHIA

THE COMMERCE. OF PHILADELPHIA.
A MARKED INCREASE IN HER EXPORT TRADE-A
GRAIN TRADE WHICH HAS OUTGRowN THE IA
CIIIrIEs FOR SHIPMENT - THE PENNSYLVANIA
RAILROAD ERECTING AN IMMENSE ELEVATOR
NEw-YoRK AND PHILADELPHIA.
fPRoM THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF TUE TRIBUSE'l
PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 20.-Ever since 1t was
ascerained that the export trade OF this city dur
ing the first months OF 1874 had increased about
ssOoOOo over the for the same months OF 1873
our newspapers been dreaming magnificent dreams
of commercial supremacy seeing in Imagination the day
almost at hand when Philadelphia will be restored 10
her old position OF the great seaport OF America one
might imagine. from some OF the enthusiastic Articles
which have appeared Of late upon this subject that the
yharves along the Hudson and the East River were
already nearly deserted and that the ships OF all nations
would soon be pushing their way up the Delaware
A little elation notable increase In the Guys
foreign trade at o tune when general business
was everywhere PROSTATE is natural and commend
abe but 1t is absurd to attempt to draw
from this fact remarkable though 1t be, the conclusion
that the main of foreign commerce is about to
change its course Nor is t necessary to print regu-
larly papers do copies OF the cargo manfess
OF all arriving and departing steamers, in order TO show
that trade is thriving We learn this sufficiently
from general statements without being told Just how
many bushels of grain boxes Of bacon the Pennsy-
rania took out how many hogsheads OF wine the
Faderland brought ill.,
Allowing for all the exaggerated expectations OF the
local press however the fact remains that the foreign
trade OF this port is in heathful and prosperous con-
dtion and excellent prospects for steady increase
The causes of this prosperity are worth inqurng INTO
Chief among them is the effort of the PennsylVana
Railroad to make this the shipping port Tor the gram
tobacco and provisions gathered by IL ana It's tributary
lines in the West and South and destined for European
markets. II promise Of prompt and economical Trans
fer from car ship had not been held out ana KEPT
these efforts might have avalcd; but the road was
able TO run It's trains directly 10 lis wharyes ana eeVa-
tors on the banks OF the Delaware, and transfer their
freight vessels waiting to receive it, THESE shipping
facilities have developed grain trade Wmch hae out
grown .heir capacity. A mammoth new elevator, the
largest in the world is nearly completed at the Junction
OF the schuylk and the Delaware, and will he equal 10
all demands likely to be made upon it for many years to
come It's capacity is 10000 bushels and 1t can unload
twenyfour ears load eight large vessels at the same
time Its construction is novel and peculiarly practical
The grain receptacles SO tubular iron bs % rect
high and feet in diameter resting upon DricK arches
and surrounded by substantial walls OF brick Ihe ma
chnery for elevatug is placed at the top OF the src
ture. On each side OF tho elevator are large ware
houses and IN front there wharf 500 feet long with
depth of water ut low tide OF % feet Ii Is SAID, with
what truth / do not know that this elevator could
handle az much grain daily comes to Ncw-fork Tor
shipment.
With this addition to her previous shipping facilities,
Philadelphia reasonably expect to 90 on increasing
her grain trade and Will doubt do 1t at the expense
OF NewYork unless some Improvement speedily maze
in the methods OF handling grain at that port That any
very largo amount OF the grain which goes to Europe
from NewYork can diverted 70 this place is not to be
expected however, because single road is all the city
can look to for supply The receipts OF grain cannot
therefore, exceed the carrying capacity OF this road
The ability to quick and cheap transfer OF grain
is not the only OF the encouraging growth OF the
export trade OF Philadelphia Her two lines Of foreign
steamers have contributed largely to this result and es
peciay the American line, which may almost he said to
have created its business Its projectors rightly judged
that sentiment of patriotism would lead shippers to
sustain steamers built by American mechanics of Ameri-
can material manned by American seamen, and Offering
every nducement Of speed and safety held out by the
best foreign lines. While most of the English and Ger
man lines centering in NewYork are complaining OF
lack of business the ships OF the American line are car
rying full cargoes.
II Philadelphia could reach the West by three trunk
lines OF railroad and great water highway, as New
York can the latter city might well be alarmed lest her
supremacy in the grain exporting trade should pass
away. The inland situation OF the Pennsylvania me
tropols is not much to her disadvantage as might be
supposed. II further from the than NewYork. she
Is correspOndingy nearer Chicago and ST. LOUIS wheat
has carried from Chicago to Liverpool, by way OF
Philadelphia, In II days. which Is faster time than was
ever made by any other route. As 1t s there is great
reason for the belief entertained in commercial circles
here that the trade OF this Will grow proper
tionately rapidly than that OF New-York or any
other Atlantic seaport until IL taxes the full capacity Of
the Pennsy Railroad the only ue OF direct con-
neetion with Western cities steady growth in the
shipment of provisions may also be expected. and
petroleum. which OF the most important items IN
the foreign OF the city. finds here its best
outlet European markets Philadelphia cannot hope
to both the Liverpool and Manchester OF the United
States Nevertheless it must be acknowledged that her
shipping interests in hopeful and rosperous
condition than for many years past.