The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1874-01-15
TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES.


Passenger Rates TO the West-.Wa ant
of Freight Accommo daIion to the
SeabOard.
The reduction Of passenger rates TO the
West by the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad
is likely to effect the traffic on all the
trunk lines leaving New York for the
West. The reduction which has been
made varies from about thirty per cent
on the ordinary rate 10 Pittsburgh 10
about ten per cent on the rate 10 New Or
leans. A new feature has been intro
duced also by this line in making the
tickets good until used. The managers
Of this road claim that when their new
line 10 Chicago is completed next sum-
mer, they will be able 10 compete with
any road for quick transit or travelling
convenience and low rates. The report
that conference was being held in Gin.
cinnsti between the Baltimore & Ohio
Railroad and tho Pennsylvania Company
is officially denied. The want Of IT,
creased transportation facilities 10 the sea.
board Is sorely felt in the West. and nc.
tltion on this subject is now In course Of
signature, to BIO presented to Congress. 1t
has already received the signatures Of over
500 members oil the Chicago Board oil
Trade, as well as 1000 signatures OF bust.
ness men throughout the country. The
petitioners say: .r. 2
During the winter months, for years
past, there has been a pressing want OF
increased transportation facilities from
the West TO the sea.board. The railroad
companies have been unable 20 receive
and transport all the property offered
them, and their inability TO meet the de-
mands upon them Tor transportation has
induced them to exact largely.inCreascd
rates Of freight, with results alike damag.
ing and disastrous 10 the agricultural,
manufacturing, and business interests Of
the entire country. The immense eleva-
tors and grain warehouses Of Chicago
have been lin midwifery filled to over
flowing, compelling them partially to sus.
pend business, so that the railroad bring.
Ing grain from the West to Chicago have
been unable to load their cars, and conse-
quently they been obliged TO refuse trans.
portation 10 their patrons. The ware
houses in the country becoming full, farm.
ers have In many instances been unable
TO find market for their grain. The
winter freight embargo has also prevented
the porkpackers and provision.dealers
from realizing on millions Of dollars
worth Of property wanted in European
markets. The imposSibiIity Of shipping
said property when ready for market has
resulted in severe stringency in money
matters, deranging and damaging bust
ness, and causing financial embarrass-
ment We would also respectfully re-
mind your honorable bodies of Inc ranid
increase OF population and Of The epricyI.
turalgrowth and indu trial pu1rits ~ + a
vast territory (more than 900, 900 sSN IN ar
mllesl between the lakes Michigan and
Superior and tho western boundary line
Of Nebraska, which, to o very great ex-
tent, Is tributary to Chicago In all busi-
ness matters, and through which city tho
major portioh1of the surplus products Of
that section Of the country must pass du-
ring the season Of suspended navigation
otthe lakes and rivers, to reach the great
markets ofthe Atlantic States and Europe,
We have observed with pleasure the sew
eral propositions for enlarged aud addi-
tionSl water facilities between the Eas,
and West to mutually benefit the produ-
cets and the consumers Of our produce
But we are convinced that water routes
alone, however improved and enlarged
will not fully answer the purpose desired
especially in this northern latitude, where
lake, river and canal navigation Is suspen,
ded Tor more than one third Of the year
which turns the entire transit business on
to the present railroad lines, greatly over.
taxing their rolling stock, at Winter rates
of freight, the effect oil which, as has been
shown, Is to check grain shipments TO the
East, thereby filing the immense ware
houses In Lake Michigan ports at long
storage rates with grain at low prices,
The farmers who can hold their corn crop
until the next Spring can store Il Of home
for better rates Of the opening. df nayiga.
ton, but those who cannot do 90 must Of.
ten sacrifice their best interest 10 meet
current expenses and payments, while at