New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-12-31

Chicago to Baltimore at less real cost per ton per mile
than either OF the roads but that It cannot
carry at az low rates. Especially 10 this true OF the
Pennsylvania line, and this Is due to the effect cost
Of transportation caused by the above factors.
But it Is argued that the cost OF the line OF the Ball.
more and Onto Railroad is represented by so much less
capital or stands at so much less cost per mile than
the other roads, that be worked at lower rates
and yet paw satisfactory dividends Now grant that It
is true that the capital Of the Baltimore and Ohio Rail-
road proper represented by less cost per mile than
the other named roads, that the Of the capital
much less than the real cost Of the road that in the
Sresate only loi per cent and that its surplus profits
were devoted to the Improvement and extension OF the
roadway To bring the Baltimore and Ohio III is track,
grades and appurtenances to the level Of the Penn
syvana Railroad will require the outlay Of very large
capital account. This deficiency IN outlay the road
Ia large element in the cost OF transportation, and
capital In the comparison OF capital between the main
lines OF the Baltimore and Ohio and the Pennsylvania
tween these lines The only possible advantage which
the Baltimore and Ohio can have will be IN the cost OF
forming an opinion. When this new liue IL completed
and equipped, with capacity equal TO the Pittsburgh
made but at present we are safe questioning whether
any possible advantages which the ewy,constructedd
Illinois may have the Western connections OF either
the Pennsylvania the New-Y0rk Central VIII coun-
terbaance the ability OF either Of those roads TO trans
port eight their main lines more oheapy per ton
per mule than the Baltimore and Ohio 80 TAR tn ah az
transport Rraiu east are concerned the great unK
lines are on very close equality: ...,,,o ,oo,,,.
ties OF handling grain and transferring 1t ON board snip
ut the eastern termin Of their roads III the ces 81
Baltimore Philadelphia and New-YOrk. The cities OF
Baltimore aud Philadelphia have equal conveniehces
for handling grain cheaply. As tho vessels can be
brought into immediate connection with the elevators
which the grain directly from the cars the cx
penso OF transferring s reduced almost to minimum,
quality In the port Of NewYork it is different the
North River barrier to the Pennsylvans ana t ano
the elevators OF the NewYork Central away from the
steamship wharves. A charge OF from three 10 four
ppnfS a hush IL
lighters and floating elevators from the cars TO the
have over NewYork and this cost of transfer is the
bone OF perpcxity between the merchants OF NewYork
less freight, and the drawback the port is avoided II
the shp pays It, he has much less chance OF profit
adcpnia II the merchant pays 1t, he makes
much less return TO the farmer, and the farmer
is no such charge. The difficulty is real one. and not
easy solve II the other ports were equal to New
York IN other respects, The position would indeed be
dangerous.
Changes in the method of conducting the export trade
in grain be noted. Grain being used largely to
I'LL up the cargo the natural endency is to buy IL
The ships account and whether shpped IN THIS way OF
very successfully introduced plan by which orders are
sent TO Western grain centers Tor the purchase and ship
ment OF the OF grain required I'LL the vessel,
winch be delivered at any OF the great cities within
twelve hours previous to the tue required for load
ing the ship thereby saving time, storage, waste in
teest ard cost Of transportation; for generally these
orders enable the railroad to make up full trains winch
can he moved least cost. II also changes the
profit of the mlddlemdD, through whom the purchase
and delivery effected to 4 brokerage place OF
full commission, i'll former tues. This change will
tendency TO produce other results 1t will lessen
the necessity and expense OF large warehouses III East
cities, and save Ill waste and cost OF handling, and
will also tend greatly 10 equaze the transportation OF
grain throughout the year, thereby enabling the rail-
transport IL at lower rates. account OF a
greater uniformity i'll the business. To extent this
will decrease the amount sent by lake aud canal.
The cities of BalilmOre and Philadelphia having equal
facilities Of to the West and possibly better facll'
lics for handling grain viii increase their shipments
grain exactly in proportion to their ability to obtain
other better paying freight eastward and return freight
and eniglants westward. This kiud Of trade cannot
reasonably expected to increase rapidly but
there will be steady and healthy growth both OF
cities. The cess to tue port or New.fork by
rail from the grain Of the West being the same,
as IN case Of the cities of Baltimore and Phadel
phia and the small difference that may exist In the
cost handling the against New York. Will be
more than made up by the cheaper rates OF freight
via canal and the many decided advantages which the
port of NewYOrk has III controlling freight destined
eastward III bug the great Importing port and none
ary center OF the country, and III possessing an un-
rivaled haruor London may control the money OF
EHgland, tut Liverpool from the situation aud char
acter ita harbOr, has the commercial supremacy
The City of New-YOrk commands both the capital aud
the nar1or, and her position cannot lie seToNy al
focted JOHN A. Wright.
phiLadflIhin. Nov, 80 1874.