The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-05-25

In the aggregate, paid handsome re-
turn on the money invested. II must be
| remembered that the Central controls the
| only roads which cross the river and have
their tcrmini in the heart of this city.
, All other roads stop on the opposite shores.
and arc forced to gain access to the city
| proper by steam IeiT,s boats.
But the Rdiltcdv world does not conine
itself to pointing out how ignorant ."e
| VANDERBnTs are of the business In which
| they have achieved such success. II is con-
| cerned for the future industry, commerce,
| and prosperity OF Buffalo, and looks upon
the low rates on the Central road as an al
most fatal stab at the Erie canal Buffalo
can take care of itself and the enormous
daily shipments Of grain from that centre
via the Erie canal, with canal freights to
New York for wheat 81 cents, for corn 81
055s cents, tolls inclnned, in face of the
lowest rail rates ever yet made, should
tranquillize the RdtlWdU WOrld on the
score OF the canal On the 23d of May the
lake receipts at Buffalo were: four, 200
barrels; wheat, l43, 500 bushels corn, 107,-
900 bushels. The railway receipts were:
-four, 1900 barrels; wheat, $500 bushels;
corn 1880 bushels. The canal shipments
for tide water wheat, 1880 bushels. Rail-
road Shipments wheat. $4,000 bushels.
The merchants of New York fully recog-
nize the fact that the movement OF the
staple products OF the West to the seaboard
has controlling Influence over the various
trades and industries; and without attrib-
uting TO the VANDERBIfTs sentimental mo-
tives In the management Of the affairs of
the Central road, 1t Is quite plain that any
policy which secures increased shipments
over their road likewise promotes the gem
eral business welfare of the city.
The imbroglio in which Mr.. VANDERDILr
Is '"iu " nav .uyoivcd himself, is simply
his declaration that he will manage his road
as he deeds best for the interests of those
whom he represents, untrammelled by
compacts with rival roads. He believes
| he best studies those interests by carrying
the great staples from Chicago to New
York at as low rates as any other line Will
carry them to rival Atlantic cities. II is
understood that he will make no compact
except on basis of uniform rates from
Chicago to the Atlantic ports, irrespective
of mileage.
1t is alleged that the trunk lines are now
carrying freights for less than cost, and
much has been said by interested parties
about the damage done, not only to the
roads, but also 10 mercantile interests by
this unusual competition. 1t Is, however,
not clear to us that the assumption Is cor
rect, for this competition happened just at
a time of unusual depression in business
here, and when the foreign demand for
our principal staples was wholly depend
ent upon our ability to lay them down in
European ports at low prices; aud the low
rates Of transportation from the West de-
cided the question in favor OF American
markets. On the majority of through
| freight II was not n question whether the
business should be done at rates largely
remun erative to the railroads. but whether
II should be at rates which would admit
of its being done at all.
The statement that the roads are neces-
sarily carrying at a loss must be accepted
with some grains OF allowance. During
the railroad war of last year between
SCOTT and GARRErT, the latter gentleman,
in a statement To his Board of Directors,
claimed larger net earnings than for the
corresponding period Of the year before,
when the roads were at peace, and said
that the net earnings for the month of
April. 1875. were 100000 more than for
any month since the organization of the
road.
We are OF opinion that with elevating
warehouses at the termini OF our rail
roads, reasonable terminal charges,
and uniform rates from Chicago to the
seaboard, the great staples OF the West
will flow rs naturally 20 New York as
water does TO the sea. While the WANDER
BILTs and the Central road do their share
toward accomplishing this much desired
result, il remains for the merchants OF
this city to take the matter Of terminal
charges vigorously in hand, and not &c
rest till they have broken up all rings
cliques, combinations and organization:
seeking to serve personal interests by
maintaining IA scale OF terminal charges
which in point OF general interest is sui
cdal. Easy access to the great Western
States originated with the Erie canal
whereby the Hudson river was connected
with the lakes and for "a long time any
considerable diversion Of the immense ono
rapidly growing trade of the Mississippi
NdlltJ sttHltu lhc iohB
tiers Of this climate, by closing the naviga-
ton OF the canal and lakes during half the
yea, have enabled railroads, even with
all their imperfectlous aud abuses, to plac,
the other Atlantic cities nearly on tn,
same footing as New York in relation t.
the internal commerce OF the Western
States.
Through a mistaken policy, our trunl
lines have heretofore fostered the com
merce Of Philadelphia and Baltimore. b,
: agreeing TO "a schedule OF rates which
enabled them to underbd US to the exten
of Ave cents on every 100 pounds OF grain
In the transportation Of cereals from Chi
cago to their respective cities. This sched
ule no longer exists, and grain now flow
3 much more freely to this centre.
IL IL objected by the RattOdy World tina
Mr.. VANDERBILTs course will endange
, the whole railway system, and inhc
q serious blow on the industry, pros
3 perty and credit of the country. Thes
are well worn phrases, which have lon
since lost their charm. This is sea
, sou of liquidation, and we believe railwa
| mnauiaa In candQlV aOceDtiDg the stu