The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-05-07
RAILWAY FREIGHT RATES.

GRAIN SHIPPERS ON THE INTERESTS INVOLVED
IN THE DISPUTE or THE RIVAL RoADs-IN-
CREASED RECEIPTS OF GRAIN-ExpERr IA
BLEs &C.
Tho freight question remains the uppermost topic Of
discussion among railroad men, merchants and
shippers and the HERALD has from day to day afforded
a faithful reflex Of the opinions OF those classes most
affected by the great struggle for supremacy among the
great carrying corporations II must be admitted that
far the sympathy Of the merchants in this
seems to be with tho New York Central management
its tight with the great rival corporations, which
alleged by every trick and device to have sought TO
divert trade from this metropolis 10 other seabosrd
cities. The managers OF the great network Of roads
diverging from this city, shown In these columns
have from time 10 time endeavored to establish
and maintain ratios OF freight between tho
East and tho West which would be equitable
between all concerned. which would not unduy tax
the producer shipper, and would ut tho Same time
AFFORD far profit TO the but, often there
has been compact" like that at Saratoga a
s'pool' like that at Chicago conference agree
mcnt" like that al the ST. Nicholas Hotel just often
has there been .cuttng under" and unfair distrbu
ton of business Baltimore and Philadelphia at tho
expense Of New York. until Mr.. Vanderbilt and his
thrown INTO confusion tho whole railroad ircightng
tcrcsts the country No matter what tho discussions
Of detail are Mcssrs Scott Jcwett Garrett and
others whose interests coincide with them the
one side and tho Vandcrbilts the other, the
sharply defined Is whether Baltimore or Philadelphia
shall wrcst the commercial supremacy from Now York,
or whether the New York Central Railroad with its
connections which New York has done much TO
foster and build shall its great advantages OF line
grade and equipment decide tho contest without de-
ferii lug 10 the wishes consulting the interests OF
rivals Central has already decided and New York APP
plauds.
In order to elicit the fullest expression from all
classes OF merchants 10 tho effect oil the continued
s.cuttng' of freight rates on business HERALD re-
porter yesterday visited tho Office Of David Dows
4 Co., No. 20 South street, Tor expression Of
opinion on the situation. This lrm perhaps largely
engaged in tho transportation and shipment OF grain
as any other in tho United States. Nr. BOWS alb
sent, but his partner said IN enect-"Thc change
OF the low rates OF freight from the West was directly
observable in the large receipts OF gram in this city
receipts which were constantly increasing The action
OF the Central road in cutting loose from combina-
which was antagonstic to New YORK interests was
certainly commcndablc and must receive the support
Of all merchants As to the steamers now loaded
on UPPER LAKES WITH GRAIN,
which was awaiting transportation 10 the scaboard 1t
was presumed that The irclghts already agreed
upon with the railroads, otherwise the Shippers would
frcights out there they might just well sell buy
options A business man, acting on business princl
pies, viii, before he loads his gram on vessels,
agree with the railroad Tor its transportation. AS
the story afoat that many persons the Produce
Exchange were making contracts In advance for the
cevery of gram, in view OF the present low OF
east bound freight but little crcdcntc could be given
this, It was noe business like transaction. The
OF empty vessels waiting to be loaded on tho
lakes however, were anxiousy watching The freight
question and according 10 tho terms they can make
with the roads will they load their vessels or let them
swing IDLY at anchor. As 10
OCEAN rREICITs,
undoubtedly there has bccL more inquiry within the
past week because OF additional export demand.
Owing to many steamers having been withdrawn from
service diversion OF others to foreign ports
ocean frcights were not abundant They got good
cargoes out but bring scarcely anything back Alto
gether, hopefully look for better business from
determined action on tho part OF the New York
Central Railroad. As to the special rates made by
the company are not ut present fully informed but
II wanted to contract Tor 900 or 1000 cars next
month could doubtless make good terms ~
Mcssrs Jesse Hoyt Co., a house OF ancient good
Standing No. 10 South street, next visited. One
OF the partners told the writer New York could DC
on the increased arrival Of grain at this
port. II would certainly improve business. The cx-
port demand grain had already increased and
1reiehs had slightly advanced As to the quarrel bc
tween the great trunk lines he has opinion TO
press except that he thought every New York merchant
should hold up the hands oil the managers ot the Cen
road tor their determined stand against the ag
grcssons OF the rival companies who WISHED TO build
up Baltimore and Philadelpha to the detrmcrt Of tho
commerce OF New York Why Erie had struck hands
with the Baltimore and ONO and Tcnusy lvania rail-
roads not conundrum 10 him.
CENTRAL ERIE WERE ALWAYS RIVALS,
and ever since the regime OF Jay Gould in the latter
company there had been determined hostility between
the two corporations SO was perhaps but natural that
Erie should welcome any alliance by which A. could
hope to cripple the New York Central
4 prominent shipbrokcr in William street called
turning activity in business growing out OF the
railroad rates yet he thought the tendency was 10 such
Improvement
Mr.. $. H. Grant, tho Secretary OF the Produce Ex-
change said the merchants generally, who
ncc,ed with their organization, seemed think tho
lower rates would stimulate business, and should
especially create larger export demand for grain, but
the war seemed TO especially upon the canal men,
VITO have had contend against all sorts OF Ill luck Tor
two years The writer then referred to Mr. Walker
the statisticn OF the Produce Exchange facts and
figures bearing tho great question, which had
before been given to the general public in relation to
the movcmentof grain, &c.
Mr. Walker found at No 80 Whitehall street, aud
chccriuy communicated the following niormation:-
s.Thc Pacific coast including California aud Oregon,
will not have much wheat for export before the middle
OF July and although this may not seem TO bear imme-
diateiy upon the present freight question: stu /, has
reference 10 the great export problem with which
are all concerned. | may also mention, en- pdssaaf
thar the Russian wheat crop 1876 bad one and
her In 1876 small that this will be among
her years Of minimum export The extent of tho sur
plus of our country III not yet detcrmna pc Tho
winter wheat regions may require considerable spring
wheat TO bridge over their deficiency, and now here
the freight question as TO the future OF values
and IL is 10 be considered In
A GREAT NATIONAL, ECONOMIC SENSE
II freight rates continue low 10 The scaboard and
there should hc poor crops abroad an export de-
mand would spring up which would probably effect
change the whole outlook OF business The question
OF has and will have some Influence less,
on all the grain marts OF the world Turkey has per
Official statement, men and ships enough number
and efficiency 10 shut In tho Black Sea- the Russian
navy and the commercial fleet. and thus OF sup
plics on which France. switzerland and other Con-
tncntal countries especially dependent for their
brcadstuis.
The visible supply OF grain comprising the stocks in
granary NJ the principal points OF mutation at lake
ana scaboard ports, and IN transit on tho lakes, by
rail and New York canals was, on the 18th Of April,
1876, aud other named datcs.-
1875. 1870 1876.
May ]. April - April 20.
Wheat. bushels. 10.s4s,lo5 IL, $50 Ii 544 III
Corn bushels. 925S, z0j 4.GIi,52l 5,139 or
Oats bushels... 2,23l.lU0 27ls,1u $500 III