New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-04-13
Difference against New-YOrk

Ii other words blow is aimed at New-YOrk In Two
ways First ton of metal or ton Of chemicals can be
landed By steamer in Boston, Philadelphia or Baltimore
cheaper than In NewYork and can be landed IN the dis
tant port of NewOrleans fully cheap Thus direct
preference is given the merchants OF four cities
agants the mcl chants OF NewYork which Is proving
serious injury 1t already resulted in opening and
developing Of distribution quite independent OF
NewYOrk for many important classes of goods for which
the country has heretofore depended upon NewIorS en-
tirc and which merchants could still supply upon
equally favorable terms those Of other cities except
for these injurious Determinations. Secondly the freight
on metals chemicals and various other lines Of goods
from Liverpool is absolutely cheaper 70 Chicago and
number OF interior cities than IL is TO NcwYork
merchant here pay lbs. I'd. per H. with 10 per
prmage added. Yet the same ton vii! DC sent for
los Cd without prmage, through EewfOrk TO Detroit,
Joliet Port Huron, Chicago. Milwaukee. Cleveland Gin
cinna Louisville, Pittsburgh, Buffalo, Toledo, New
Albany, and many other interior cities.
This state facts is utterly DeApicabe to merchants
II does not appear what interest benefited by it, The
steamer companies running from Liverpool 10 NewYcrk
apparently have object in dver.ng business from
this port; aud the railroads. notably the Central, which
having built up by the trade Of Sewiork, would
seem interest apart from the prosperity Of the
city to which theyUwe their being and present welfare
let the present piracy could not exist without their
active cooperation it, and they have jointly con-
strc,ed freight hch div erts business both from
the metropolis iron themselves. Merchants are be-
ginning to inquire whethe hie extraordinary action Is
deliberate.
The diversion in metals and chemicals il attributed in
part TO the singular position of the Government under
the revenue laws. By building custOm-houses IN the
inland cities the Government entails upon itself the
cost of expensive extra establishments to do what can be
better the original ports OF entry Quite as large
force Is required the coast for entry for inland trans
noraton as for entry for payment of duty No smaller
force il required at any Atlantic port the Government
il co,npclled TO keep an extra number OF inland officials
and 10 take the risks OF custody and inland travel of the
goods New-YOrk is injured, and the Government not
benefited. This IA not the most serious cause oi
diversion of import trade, but it is one Of them.
To ann il all I'D az Mr. Bruce Of Bruce Co. pits il,
IL amounts to this: The English steamship line will give
the inland merchant his inland freight and 10 per cent
on tho gross IL he viii buy MS metal az lYerpOol instead
OF New York and our own Government VIII hahde the
coods and care for them at great expense to itself
the whole inland route in bond also taking the business
from United States coast merchants and giving 1t 10
English merchants and their agents. NewYork is fur
Their wronged by the discrimination Of these steamer
conpauies and tho railroads in favor OF other coast
cities discrimination without apparent cause or rea-
son which would to be much against themselves
as against New-iork.
One OF the results OF this injurious policy is already
seen in the action taken by Phelps. Dodge Co Tho
firm has been compelled 70 open agencies in Boston Bal
tmOre Philadelphia and Chicago for much OF ther pns
pe,s since they can transact it cheaper in those cities
than here and such firms I. b. CoddingtOn & Co.,
Bruce & Co., and others in the metal and chemical
trades will be Obliged to follow tins example, and posi-
bly transfer their business entirely to more favored
morris unless there Is change In the policy OF the rail
roads and steamers and something Is done To protect
the metropolis and its trade.