New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-06-24

! RELATIONS OF FREIGHT RATES TO TRADE.
MERCHANTS INCLINED TO EXPECT FLUcTUAuNG
RAILWAY CHALGES-DULLNEsS IN BUSINESS
MAKING DEALERS SOMEWHAT INDIFFERENT
FEELING IN VARIOUS BRANCHES OF MERCANTILE
LIFE.
The condition of affairs IN railroad circles
does not inspire either the railroad agents the
chant. with any cOnad 10 the permanence Of the
present rates either for freight passengers But
trade generally dull among wholesale dealers the
certainty appear to interfere materially with
! mercantile transactions in this city
The freight agents along Broadway stated yesterday
that their was that railroad had only JUS,
begun instead Of being and that the conflict will
soon assume entirely different aspect. The railroad
managers would doubtless like to the ended, but
such i, the feeling AGAINST those who had begun the
trouble that obstacle would probably be put in the
way by the Western railroads prevent the trunk lines
again getting the control and fixing the tariff over
the Western roads.
william j. Neral OF Acker. Neral & Condt. whole
grocers said that la the present condition Of trade
tie lowering raising OF rates freight would make
very little difference shippers A. this the dull
season OF the year the railroads could afford tn make
show of conflict without materially affecting their own
interests; When the Fan trade began. he had no
doubt hat the roads would soon come to an agreement
ard raise the rates to suit themselves. re did not fear
that any sp~ria rates for Philadelphia Baltimore
would take the Western trade away from New-Nork,
"a it was and still would be the great business
center; for capital located here, and cap
ital would always concentrate trade. H. X. Thurber
said that the recent low rates of freight had
given IN impetus TO trade 10Y a while Special for
localities might divert a few small dealers but would
have no general effect Now-IOrk trade. II special
rate we're made from the other seaboard cities to certain
Western lobdng and high rate established for
intervening places the retailers might seek the nearest
ponf Ia make purchases hut this would only last for
3 .bnr fue al Baltimore
might divert the coffee trade from NcwNork the ex-
prra- Of handling coffee in Baltimore were much less
than in New York hey ond this he did not think much
injury could be- done to the general trade OF this city he
Thought the railroads would do Injury to them
selves than anything else 10y seeking 70 divert trade rom
it's proper channels.
TRBI VI reporters called upon several OF the leading
dry goods and shoe houses who seemed to have
only ono opinion upon the subject. namely. that the
trade presou in such condition to be beyond
the influence Of question OF frcghts. In the first
place they say. it time OF When business Is al
vavs dull Then while II must be admitted that Western
firms are heavily stocked with goods that under
ordinary circumstances they would he considered short
vet they arr equally short customers and they only
bmyrg from hand 10 mouth. Oft by telegraph for mme-
die orders At present there IL no prospect OF any i'm
DroyeInent in this condition OF things and while
freights have been reasonable FOR some time past.
reduction To- onehaf the present rates would have
appr care effect upon the amount OF goods sold The
extreme uciuaon in freight rates was generally depre-
Gated by the merchants. ii claimed the roads
must finally make q reasonable profit. and II the receipts
for transportation should fall below paying figure
there would bc required corresponding advance here
after all of Which tends unsette values and make the
business more uncertain. The only difference from
these opinions in the views taken by hard
,vorc dealers wa. among those who have large
coosiements OF heavy. cheap goods annually for the
West The Webush & Hiiger Hardware Company, at
No - Chambcrs-st, thought material reduction IN
rates would influence large shipments Of heavy, bulky
foods where the question Of freight becomes a large
frtor Of cost stock in the West they claim. IS very
light and must be- increased In short time whether rates
"a down or not Other houses tina; deal largely with
Western merchants took different view Of the matter.
however thought the question OF freghe would have
no NJ prcciabie effect upon business az present.
David BOWS, the grain merchant at No. 20 southst,
said that he Lad looked upon the dispatches concerning
discussions with Western railroads simply stock
the roads would occur There occasion for IL now,
that am able TO see he remarked, and do not be-
eye would be OF any advantage either 10 tie roads OF
the me chants Mr. Mccullough, VicePrcsdent OF
the Railroad yesterday and he remarked
that everything had been satisfactorily arranged. IL
must be borne In mind that there IS danger Of getting
rates too low. Companies viii not continue tO operate
their sUads unless they able 70 pay dividends,