Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-12-24
THE DARK SIDE OF THE PICTURE.

1t is not all gold that glitters, by a
large majority. The present business
rush is immense, but there are lines
Of trade that at present realize no
practical benefit from it. Among
others who feel the increase of trade
most sensibly, without enjoying bene-
fits from it, are the river steamers.
The expenses of operating steam
boat at the present time is fully one
third greater than it was year ago
yet the rate of freight is no higher, to
any perceptible degree. Take the
steamer Henry Frank is an illustra-
ton. Her expenses for making a
round trip from New Orleans here
and return are fully $1,000 more than
it cost last year, yet the receipts from
freight are no more, because cotton is
carried at 81 per bale, cotton seed at
Is to 20 cents sack, and oil cake at
$3.50 per ton, the same as ruled last
season. The increase of running ex-
penses is due TO the high price of
fuel, coal being worth S5 cents per box
of $50 pounds, or nearly $40 per ton,
which is about double last years fig
ures. Wood along the shores is 50 to
SO per cord; deck hands get $50 to $50
per month; stores are higher, and
everything has advanced except freight
rates. But for the increase Of bust
ness the boats would not be able to
make both ends meet, and
indeed, many have not been
coming much nearer. An instance
may be cited in our local packets run
ming to the Arkansas and White
rivers. The Hattie Nowland, for ex-
ample, cannot make trip of seven
days from here to the Arkansas river
and return short of $780, and this
only includes ordinary expenses. The
dangers of navigation, which are great,
are not considered. The wages of
pilots are $3.50 per month; the en-
gineers cost sl75 per month; clerks as
much; mates 800 per month and run
ming expenses are up to the old war
footing or nearly to it, while treights
are carried from here at Zoe per bbl
and 35c per cwt. Rates in White
river are little better than this, but
not much; cotton is brought
here from all points below
Little Rock at S1.25 per bale and is
carried TO New Orleans at $3.50 per
bale. The rates on cotton are about
the same in White river. A boat, one
ofthe Kountz line, left here day or
two since for Wittsburg, on the upper
st. Francis, full 175 miles from its
mouth, to carry 1000 bales cotton to
New Orleans at the low rate of $1.90
per bale, some say S1.75 per bale.
Only the other day the fine steamer
Thompson Dean, one of the best
equipped and most popular of our
river palaces, after eight weeks of
service in the lower country cotton
trade, and carrying full loads both
ways, or at least her full quota of bust
ness, was compelled to lay up at New
Orleans, directly in the midst of the
busy season because she could not
pay running expenses Her owners
have not been able to realize single
dollar front her earnings. 1t all went
to pay deck hands at $50 to $50 per
month; coal at $3.50 to $40 per ton
and other similar items, including
heavy wharfage charges. 1t is stated
that the fuel bill of the steamer j. NJ.
White for one week in the New Or
leans and Greenville trade reaches the
enormous sum of $1,000; and the
splendid steamer Ed Richardson,
which was here few days since,
burned $1,000 worth offuel in the run
from New Orleans here, occupying
but four days. Advices from New
Orleans announce her arrival there
with a full load Of cotton
and other freight, yet she has actually
lost money on tie trip. Strange as it
may seem, too, there is no profit
promised to dealers in c6Sl and fuel
this winter. Prices at the mines are
high, miners getting 3lc per bushel TO
dig it out, and the demand has been
so heavy along the Ohio river cities
that up to this time little has been
moved below Louisville. At present
two or three tows are under way be-
low the falls at Louisville for this
port and New Orleans, but dealers
here do not expect a decline
from present prices, at least
10 this market, all because
she expense Of getting it here is SO
much greater than in past seasons. II
is probable that prices will drop at
points south Of this, but not here. The
present market rates are 65c per bbl
delivered in the city, and 30 and soc
per box to steamers. The foregoing re.
marks have been made to give those
who do not know Of it 8 chance to un-
terstand why the recent business boom
is not satisfactory to all classes, and
especially river men and coal mer,