The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1880-02-18
Boston and Portland Freishts.


The merchants of Portland, Me-, are In an excited
condition and the proof Of 1t Is found In the fact
that they have recently held sort of indignation
meeting, to devise measures to oppose the combna-
ton OF the transportation companies doing business
between Boston and Portland, which has gone into
effect within few weeks past since the new year
opened. The combining lines are the Portland q
Rochester, Boston & Maine and Eastern railroads.
and the Portland Steam Packet Company, and the
terms of the combination are essentially, that all
these companies shall receive exactly the same rates
for the transportation of freights in kind. Now,
there have been combinations of stock obbers, re-
Gently operating in railroads, which have done the
public great deal of harm and such associations
were formed for the sole purpose of enrichng their
members through Legitimate manipulation OF secu-
rites and stocks. But the Combination OF the
Boston and Portland companies was made to save the
parties from ruin, and because reckless and sense
less policy of competition was driving every one OF
them over precipice Of course while this compe-
ttion lasted all patrons of the routes In question
had laugh while they grew fat for the fun
was their own, while the companies shared the nard
blows dealt among themselves. But at last the run
by the promoters and now the Portlanders seem 10
he very much in the position of men surprised, ana
who had reckoned upon keeping up such state OF
which these four companies have now agreed are
considerably lower than those prevailing before Ine
competitive slaughter began; and in comparison sa
with other roads, both passenger and ireignt are
mo crate all things considered, But it is certain
that combination of water and land lines, wlth te
iact that so la;ge number are here apparently ~
tually sti king to verbal agreement for wnoie
month with no one to accuse either party OF break
ing faith Is, in itself, singular circumstance as
to compel the conviction that 1t had better be lett
alone: AS to another line of steamers 1t is only the
prevalence of decent rates, such are now insured
by the agreement, that will save the life OF the pres
ent llne, In short the transporting companies nave
reached the point where they must cease to throw
away, and earn something to support life; and the
Portland merchants will probably be called upon 70
enlist III regular order of things, and not expect
longer TO profit by the spite ant wrangng OF canni-
bal corporations.
Mr.. EDIroR:-The above Communication
from the Boston Herald Of q recent date has
probably met the eyes of so few Portland peo-
ale that its reproduction in your journal may
ne justified in throwing little light on both
sides of the transportation question. Thus far
he companies have made no defence to the
iniustifiable attack made on them, an attac'
hat is understood to owe its origin to the fail
ire of the efforts of certain party to procure
,e coaxing or bull-dozing lower rate than
lis neighbors had in the same business. 1t is
understood the companies have no more COM
t'ination than exists between the merchants of
Commercial street to maintain one price for
sugar or molas es, or -four. or even so insight
can't all article of use as salt. lis merely
protective tariff. Among all those who have
pledging the signers to act as unit &c., there
will be found few who have any real grievance
5ut the shiboleths of Combination" discrim-
ination against Ptorland, &C., have been used
almost to compel, in some cases, reluctant sig
natures. What avail such will be remains to
be seen. To the credit of many merchants it
IS to be said that they refuse to follow the self
imposed lead. The matter of comparative
rates between Boston and interior points in
Maine, and Portland and the same places is
one which is no more burdAnsome now than
for years past and surely Portland must have
had some counteraeting advantages to &C
count for the great growth of its wholesale
business. But as matter of fact the Maine
Central finds it absolutely necessary to comply
With the demands of its great constituency for
cheap rates to Boston. At all events it will be
found that the only grievance which now
seems to be complained of, viz: the discrim-
ination on through rates, is matter entirely
dependent upon the NJ. G. r. R. instead of the
Boston Companies. One word may be said in
reference to the revisedtariff 1t is understood
that the popular policy of allowing the mer-
done way with. and as near as possible the old
rates OF the Boston steamers should be adopted,
in most cases, to suit the changed times, chang
ing the old arbitrary rate of so much per pack
age or cuDlc loot to Its supposed equivalent per
100 pounds. As this was done without the
knowledge which would be gained in practice,
it was recognized and agreed that changes
should gradually be made as found needed,
and such changes have been and will be made
from time to time. Perhaps the article Of dry
goods has created more controversy than any
thing else: The old price of the Portland
Steam Packet Company was cents per cubic
foot. 1t was supposed that in general cent
per foot was equivalents to 81 per ton, and
hence the tariff was placed at So per ton,
which is not much above the old tariff,
but reduction in this was subject Of
consultation before the merchants meet
ing took place. 1t may safely be said
that no city is more favored by friendly trans
portation companies than Portland, and this
will be seen when sober reason is permitted to
take the lead. The following table of rates
from the tariff of the leading roads out of Bos-
ton will show better than anything else how
little cause Portland has to complain of the
new tariff, which does not average, as has been
intimated, Is cents per 100 pounds, but not
over u cents per 100 pounds.