The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-01-02
New York and Her Rivnls.

Four scaboard cities handle, sell, and dis
tribute the crops Of tho great West. These
cities Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and
Baltimorc-arec competitors for the business
of shipping grain to European markets and
for the forwarding OF Eastern manulac-
lures and imported goods 10 the West Bal
timore has largely increased her exports
New steamship lines. through special ar
engagements with the Baltimore and Ohio
Railroad, are carrying large quantities of
through freight from Western cities 10 Eu-
rope. The receipts Of wheat in that city for
the first ten months showed an increase Of
70, 27o, 3j3 bushels.
Boston and Philadelphia, by similar
railroad policy and extensive terminal facil-
tiles, have also largely increased their out
ward commerce. The lack Of such facilities
has forced New York merchants to make
their through shipments by way OF one Of
the three rival cities. The policy of the
New York Central Railroad has been adj
verse to the interests Of this city. The COM
pany has been accused OF assisting to send
daily grain-loadcd steamship from the
port Of Boston. These shipments have built
up the LEYDENs OF Liverpool the most sue
cessful shipping firm Of the day. The Cen
trail loses $50 miles OF frcightagc on every
car load Of through freight that passes TO
the seaboard over the Boston and Albany
Railroad.
Philadelphia Is pressing her claim TO the
grain business. Foreign steamship service
Is fostered. and through rates have been
established at such figures as to attract
large export. Col. ScoTT has guaranteed
full cargocs TO seven vessels Of the new
Philadelphia line for one year Within a
few weeks thirteen extra ocean steamships
will be employed in the commerce OF that
city.
These rival cities are doing their level
best to augment their foreign trade Their
success shows that, TO successfully compete
with them, New York must supplement its
natural advantages by terminal facilities
and steamship connections equal TO those Of
the rival ports. This is now being done. A
line OF fourteen iron screw freight steamers
averaging fourteen knots per hour has been
established. II will carry through freight
TO Europe through special arrangements
with the New York Central Company. The
freight Is 10 be delivered at Liverpool, Ham
burg or other Continental or British ports.
II the volume Of business warrants, other
steamships will be added to the fleet. Tho
immense elevator at the foot OF Sixty-third
street will be used to raise the grain from
the cars and pour IL into the vessels at the
least possible expense. The company, il Is
understood, will charge a uniform rate Of
freight, including transportation, wharfage,
loading, and berth room abroad.
Tho problem OF freight transportation lies
in handling bulky goods with the greatest
expedition and cheapnoss. Heretofore New
York has done little toward solving It,.
Boston, Baltimore. and Philadelphia could
not have so enormously increased their cx-
ports were 1t not for the shortcomings OF
this city. Terminal facilities, light port
charges, and low rates for transportation at
tract trade. Our municipal authorities and
our system Of taxation have had much to do
with the diversion of trade from this centre.
But under this new arrangement il is
thought that the New York Central will be
able to make through rates lower than they
can be made elsewhere. II so, this city will
steadily Increase both her exports and i'm
ports. The new movement must have n
direct bearing upon the competition be-
tween trunk lines for cast-bUund freight.
The rivalry will be intensified. The pooling
system may be abandoned and the business
Of the future in bulky exports must be con-
Quoted almost entirely on through rates
from the West TO Europe