New-York tribune., 1875-01-30
EFFORT TO DIVERT OIL TRADE TO BAL
TIMORE.
THE PIPE LINE BILL IN THE PENNSYLVANIA LEG1
IATUaE MAGNITUDE OF THE INTERESTS L
VOLVED

THE PIPE LINE BILL IN THE PENNSYLVANIA LEGfs-
LATURE E. MAGNITUDE OF THE INTERESTS IN
voLvED.
The contest In the Pennsylvania Legislature
over the socaed Pipe Line bill" the features o when
were briefly outlined in the dispatches Of THE TRIBUNE
Of yesterday promises TO be exciting and event
full one In its bearing upon the carriage or petroleum
it involves the interests of the Baltimore and ohio Rail
road In favor OF which is said to have been conceived
as against those OF the combined railway lines OF the
North and indirectly 1t a,cts the prosperity OF the
cities which compete for supremacy in the petroleum
trade.
The prime mover opposition 10 this bill, and per-
haps tho most interested Of all the carriers Of OIL Is the
Central Railroad but in tho event OF any
prospect OF the part OF the Baltimore Koad
as represented in the corporation called the Columbia
Conduit Company, the other parties 10 the combination
formed in Saratoga 1874 will take some decided
action Tho provisions OF the bill call for free pipe
line through Allegheny County, by which the OILS anu
natural gas shall be conducted from Pittsburgh ana the
wells in Butler County TO point upon the Baltimore
and Ohio Road and thence by that road TO Baltimore
The linear distance from Pittsburgh to Baltimore being
much less than to Philadelphia the advantage that would
accrue 20 the new pipe from this economy OF dis
tance and consequent reduced rate OF transportation
would seriously impair II not entirely destroy me Oh
traffic OF the Northern lines, wei as divert tne
enormous export trade In oil OF NewYora and Phila-
delpha Baltimore. Some idea oi tn ccea interests
at stake and monopoly that the former cities nave
enjoyed the latter be obtained from tho sta
tIstIcs of expectation for tho year 1874.
The total exports from New York were 22OOO barrels
and 800 900 cases from Phiade phia 16G Darr is and
20? 900 cases while from Baltimore only 10000 barrels
and 400 cases were exported The great disadvantage
against which the Baltimore merchants would be com
pelled contend would be In the difficulty or obtaining
return cargoes from foreign ports while for New YORK
return freghts would be very easily obtained. Not
withsandng this. and tho disadvantage OF greater dis
tance, tho Baltimore and Ohio Road now
issue through bills of ladlng from Hamburg TO
Chicago. at "a low q rate as general merchandise
can be laid down in EewYOrk The great market for oil
in Northern Europe. while cases are chey
shipped the East Iudies, Australia emma Japan ana
Mediterranean ports. The supply IN Pennsylvania IS
thought be ineXnausDie "a the coal, though
rumors are that within three weeks the produc-
ton OF oils has greatly decreased Tbs may be partly ac
counted for by the low market, whcn has DISCOURAGED
development The crude oil can be delivered in New
York in bulk for CT cents per gallOn and refined OIL
ready shipment lcludng cost OF barrel for II cents
per gallon When the oil sold for 80 cents gallon
Canada aud foreign oils could compete but now Ameri-
can petroleum enjoys the monopoly OF the world.
There present from 300 to 800 miles or pipe line
in operation IN Western Pennsylvania the most pron
uenf being the Union and United Companies. The OIL
merchants this city perfect confidence I'D the
action OF the Pennsylvania Legislature and feel assured
that IL will take no acOn detrimental to the inter
ests Of It's own aud railroads Us to pass ths Free
Pipe bill.