The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-05-11
THE RAILWAY COMPETITION.
THE CUTTING OF RATEs-ocEAN FREIGHTs-
COST OF TRANSPORTATION, &C.

THE CUTTING or RATEs-ocEAN FREIcHrs-
COST OF TRANSPORTATION, &C.
Yesterday there were no especially new develop
ments In regard to the vexed question Of railway
freghts, but the merchants OF Now York are happily
abc-througb tho rivalres between the trunk lines
to dictate their terms to the agents for railroad
transportation. HERALD reporter informed BY .
large shipper yesterday that contract for The trans
portaton OF largo quantity OF had been made by
a certain house hero at tho ratio OF nyseven cents
gold 100 pounds. from Chicago to Liverpool As soon
the steamship companies heard Of this their rates
stened up and tho margin Of profits left to the rail-
way carriers would not leave them sufficient to pay for
the oil that grcases the wheels Of their car axes.
As to passenger rates. no reduction determined
on in fares between this city and the Western points
An officer OF OF the rival roads said to the writer
yesterday-'You think, because tho rates OF pas
senger fares have not been made public that change
has occurred tell you, however, that there is an
actual reduction by the Baltimore and Ohio and Penn
syvana Central Of about forty per cent in fares to the
West Tho HERALD published last October tho fact
that the railroads. except the Baltimore and Ohio line
were offering to sell tickets from Cincinnati to New
York and return, good for thirty days, for $40 This
was denied at the time, but circular OF OF the
competing roads to the HERALD in which the
oner was found TO bs distinctly made.
Charles Francis Adams in his able report to tho
Massachusetts Legislature Railroad Commissioner,
lately said: --"Tho only pursue toward rail
road corporations IL 10 bring 10 bear upon them tho
power OF public opinion This should be dono by
BOARD on ARBIrRAroRs,
whose duty should be hear complaints. and II found
to DO just to suggest the officers Of corporations
their correction II this is refused then the Lcglsia
turc should DO appealed to and the people will always
sustain vigorous action !"
meeting OF railway officers at Chicago is limited at
with view 10 the adjustment OF the freight troubles
but Commodore Vanderbilt has suggested the true
OF the difficulty In the words-"There are too
many roads and too little business tor them There
fore u free fight between Massachusetts Pennsy
vana Maryland and New York. as represented by their
railroads.
AS evidence OF tho impetus given TO trade at this
port by the prompt reduction OF for wheat from
Chicago castwardly by the Central road. it may be
stated generally that ireghts Immediately ad
vanced and gram room per steam to Liverpool was in
demand, and that for tho close Of this week the
kct quite strong Ut about eight pence per bushc
under liberal arrivals OF gram per rail-
Among railroad men generally II IS conceded that the
war must DO o long and runous one AS the whole
matter OF competition Is open and the stubborn
ness OF Mr. Vanderbilt is conceded the first effect must
be to cripple tho Contrnls New England competitor,
the Grand Trunk road large shipper OF hogs said
yesterday, II could bring my hogs two weeks ago TO
Boston twenty five per cent cheaper than to New
York now can bring Thorn here ton por cent cheaper
than TO Boston"
Last year. when the freight war was not SO sharp as
present. the following rates prevailed the Lake
Shore and New York Central roads:-On wheat from
Chicago TO Buffalo, two and half cents per bushcl
from Buffalo 70 New York, seven cents, and with the
addition Of cent per bushcl- to lghtcragc and
other charges-about ten eleven cents per busheL
Now carries about 900 bushels--say averaging
from $50 10 $33 car This Is about threeenths Of
mill per ton per mile while the State Engineer in his
report says that actual transportation Is
about lve-cIghths OF a mill per ton pcr mile. This 10
startling fact, and may throw some light on the rea-
two ability of railroads to stand such destructive bust
ness
There Is another aspect Of tho question which is seri
Gus. When tho rail lines all doing healthy and
rcmuncrative business The l&ko trade 1ourishcs and
freight concentrates at Buffalo. At least about fifty
i've per concentrates there's the natural seaport
then. is New York. and over forty per cent ncs
here Now, when the lake men find Il more profitable
TO lay up than TO rum the business becomes all RAIL- aud
seaport stands equal chance for trade and
York loses certain proportion. Al least this the
view taken by the enemies OF Central but the old
Commodore told the writer few days since in
this Ict the other lines take Of their cities
Well see that New York gets her share"