The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-05-16
NEW YORK AND THE GRAIN TRADE.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE HKRALD:-
A critical period for New YORK has arrived. shc
has hitherto controlled the immense Western
grain trade with such ease that the strenuous and
well devised exertons Of the Canadian merchants
to turn the trade into the St. Lawrence route VIA
Montreal, have been looked at cOmplacently.
1t was confidently asserted that the Erie Canal
could not have o successful rival. However, the
statistics OF grain transportations for the last i've
years show that Montreal shipments have gained
on those OF New York at ratio Of ten 10 seven,
and this increase, 1t is to be remembered, is with
out the benefit OF enlarged Canadian canals. In
the meantime the Dominion government, with far
seeing sagacity, has made arrangements to en-
large the Welland and st. Lawrence canals so as
from Chicago and Milwaukee to Montreal and
quebec. BY this means the entire upper lake fleet
can steam alongside OF the ocean ships and dis
charge their cargoes with the least possible ex-
pense at the same time ensuring their delivery In
european PGrt ey .ne n ue 1ney wou Would nave
snail pace Of the Erie Canal route. Steam power
Is certainly needed on the Erie Canal but before It
can De successfully employed the canal must be en-
larged and this WORK or enlargement requires to
be finished BY the time that the new Welland and
st. Lawrence canals are opened to navigation.
Inc task Of cutting new ana enlarged water
way between Buffalo and Albany Is one OF such
magnitude and expense that for these reasons the
PROJECT should be abandoned; besides. the grain
trade should be conducted via the lakes as far as
possible, In order to save time and money. The
only feasible scheme which has presented itself
to several engineers-among them Mr.. Meal
pine--is that the shorter section Of the Erie
Canal, between Oswego and Troy, should be Inn
mediatcly enlarged to accommodate steam barges
OF 500 tons burden, and winch could attain speed
OF ten miles an hour. This shorter canal route
could be completed by 1885, or when the new
Weiland Canal Will go into oper1 ti0n; then the
New York merchants would beneft by the Welland
Canal and have their grain, TO great extent
landed in New York, direct from Chicago without
breaking bulk, and in about the same time that 1t
would take to reach Montreal. Gram Is now
eighteen days In transit by canal boat from Buff
ialo New York, at an average cost OF 1893 cents
per bushel. lf steam were used over this route
the passage would occupy 11.0t days and the cost
OF transportation be reduced to 1888 cents per
bushel. From OswegO, however. 1t would only be
6.2 days en- route and the Cost would
be essened to 500 cents. IL Is necessary
Tor Congress to act promptly IN this
matter, 80 that an enlarged 0swego and Troy
Canal may be ready TO open up direct cOmmnnica-
ton from Chicago the moment the new Welland
Canal s completed otherwise 1t 10 TO be feared that
the grain trade OF the West will be turned COM
pletely away from the Empire City. The recent
passage OF = bill through the Canadian Parliament
Incorporating powerful transportation company
to trade direct from Chicago to the seaboard Is
sign OF the times, and what Is more, II is said
nearly one-haf OF Its capital ID TO be subscribed BIZ
American f0rwarders.
Prompt action, patriotic abnegation OF self and
determination to use every necessary means OF
retaining the control OF the Western grain trade
are now needed by our commercial and political
magnates. May there be no vaciliation. ID. ID.
NEW YORK, May IL, 1874.