The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1877-06-23
SATURDAY, JUNE 90, 1877.
Gas Coal for Baltimore.

custom hOuSe with 504 tons of gas
coal from Glace Bay, Cape Breton,
at the eastern extremity of Nova
Scotia, which was important for the
Gaslight Company of Baltimore. The
cargo was purchased through New
York, but the duty and freight
charges were paid here. Nova Scotia
gas coal is frequently sent to New
York and Boston, but shipments of
it to Baltimore are unusual. The
captain of the vessel was told when
he arrived in port that the venture
looked like sending Goals to New
eastle,,' but statement of the cost
of laying the cargo down here shows
that it was done cheaper than Allie
gany gas Goals are sold in this mar
ket.
Allegany gas coal was quoted at
$3.50 a ton last week in Baltimore.
The cargo of the Edwin cost S4.15
ton, as follows: Price delivered on
board S1.75, freight IS, duty collec-
ted at the Baltimore custom house IS
eents-total S4.15. The coal is said
by the gas company officials to be
equal to Allegany coal. The freight
receipts to the vessels were not suffi-
cient to be very profitable, butt was
better than coming in ballast, as
many vessels do come. 1t is proba-
BILE that other similar shipments to
Baltimore will be made. Baltimore
Sun, 18th inst.
If anything more conclusive than
the above can be found as to the mer-
its of the controversy between the
authorities of the canal and the rail-
road as to the increase of rates of
freight, we confess we 80 not know
where to look for it. Nor do we know
any fact that so clearly demonstrates
what we have said and written rela-
tice to the proposed resuscitation of
that defunct concern than the para
graph we have placed at the head of
this article. Nova Scotia coal, pay
ing duty of rs cents per ton, placed
in Baltimore at $4.15 per ton, while
Allegany and Garrett coal costs
$3.50 per ton, yet the canal authori-
ties crying for an increase of rates.
Is it not evident that with this policy
continued our coal mines will become
utterly worthless, and are we not as
sured now that there is danger ahead
for the material interests of Garrett,
unless we take an early stand against
this ruinous policy? Is it not time
that we should "cry aloud and spare
not" that the low rates recently in
augurated shall be promptly followed
by the railroad company by still
lower, till the safety of our coal
trade is placed beyond danger from
the competition of Clearfield or Nova
Scotia coal. We have fiattered our
selves that the superior quality of
our coal would give us the market
though other Goals sold lower, but
we awake to the fact that buyers are
neglecting our coal and buying Clear
field and Nova Scotia Goals, and we
are losing our grip even on the Bal
timore market, at our door. Let the
railroad look to it now, by such
prompt action that it shall be no
longer question as to whose inter-
ests it shall serve, those of Western
Maryland or those of Pennsylvania
or Nova Scotia.
But then say these canal men ace
shall suffer. True, but is it not bet
ter that this corporation, already in
the article of death, shall suffer than
that our whole coal interests shall be
paralyzed and ruined. Is it not evi.
dent that loaded down by State debts,
floating debts, preferred bondhoIders'
back interest, that upon any equita-
Bile basis the canal must go to the
wall. Is it not clear that the canal
cannot pay any portion of its inter
est at any rate of toll that can be
collected in present state of trade, or
any prospective rally trade is likely
to make, and shall these political in
capables who manage it, and cling to
it, and glorify it, be permitted to
carry out their policy of ruin, till
every boat is driven from its waters.
We ask this in all seriousness for to
our minds it is clear that only one
way can the canal be any longer
made useful to our interests. Let
the State at once abandon its interest
in the canal, let the preferred bond
holders, who, it is stated thought so
highly of it as an investment, take
the control upon the one condition
of equity in its rate of transporta-
ton, or if this cannot be effected let
the thing be placed in the hands of a
receiver. Let it be reorganized in
the interest of the Western Mary
land coal trade, taken out of the
clutches of politicians and when this
is accomplished, as it can and it