Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1874-05-06
TIE TRANSPORTATION QUESTION

LEI CHARACTERIZATION QUESIlON.
In the midst of the excitement over the
currency question, the importance of the
report Of the Senate special committee on
cheap transportation is likely to be over
looked. For nearly twelve months this
committee has been busy gathering infor-
nation concerning the great question of
ransportation-how it can be expedited
and cheapened. A few facts presented by
the committee in their report are worthy
Of consideration at the very threshold, to
show the magnitude of the question in
volved. The exact value of our internal
trade can not be accurately estimated, but
may be inferred from a few facts as follows:
In 1872 the value of commodities transport
ed by the railroads of the country exceeded
100000. The gross receipts of
all the railroads in the same year was
SAB, 241 ,055. The Committee estimate
the commerce of Ohio river cities
alone at $1,000, 100000. Referring to
the commerce of the Lakes the Cons
mittee say that the entire season of navi-
CATION, in 1872, an average of one vessel
every nine minutes, day and night, passed
Fort Gratiot light house, near Port Huron.
1t is probably safe to say that the value of
our internal commerce is ten times great
er than our trade with all foreign nations
and that the amount annually paid for
transportation is more than double the en-
tire revenues of the Government.
The general plan by which relief against
oppressive charges is to be secured is ao.
First. Competition between railways
and its promotion, by additional lines
without regulation. .. I'D
Second. Direct congressional regulation
Of railway transportation, under the power
TO regulate commerce among the several
States.
Third. Indirect regulation, and promo
ton of competition through the agency of
one or more lines of railway, TO be owned
or controlled by the Government.
Fourth. The improvement of natural
waterways, and the construction of arti-
fetal channels of water communication.
Senator Window says that the history
of railroads in all countries is the same,
and that when combination of interests is
possible, competition in carrying rates
is impossible. The great lines from
the West carry grain cheap, when
water navigation is possible to compete
with them, but when winter closes
navigation on the lakes, the roads
charge higher prices. The committee, de
spairing of finding relief through compe
ton, proceed 10 discuss other suggested
remedies. Equal mileage rates." Mr.
Window thinks, impractical. Such Law
would ruin the producing classes of the ia
West. The average charges on leading
trunk lines from Chicago to New Yorl
in 1872 was II cents per ton per mile, which
would make A cents per bushel on wheat
but the average charge is but 33l. Enforc
the equal mileage rate and the Yves
in that year on the grain shipped over
few lines alone would have lost 10 cent
per bushel on corn and wheat, or $2l 900,
900 with no compromising gain to the con
sumers. The loss to the West by such
law in that year would have been 800. 900
900, and the depreciation in farms by sucl
an onerous transportation tax would alon
build all the trunk lines from Chicago {
New York.
At great length the Senate reviews in do
tail the comparative cost of water and ra
transportation, showing that while it cost
Dog NShS PSA Dusl4oA ~ SoiIJ "hee1 ny ia
from Chicago 70 New York, ii costs lei
than 3 cents per bushel TO float it on watC
from Cairo 70 New Orleans.
As 10 the policy Of eXpending one hun
dred or more millions TO open up our il
land rivers and develop the great agricu
tural interests he has no doubt. He say
that while, for public buildings at Wasl
ington and elsewhere throughout II
country we have expended S82, 900 900, u
Government has expended but sll, 1889