New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-08-07
THE CANAL TRAFFIC.
EEEECTS OE TILE PA
RAILROAD WAR.

EFFECTS OF THE RAILROAD WAR.
HEAVY DECLINE IN THE BUSINESS DONE BY TIE
CANAIs-THE LOSSES SUFFERED BY THE BOAT
MEN-EFFORTs TO SECURE FREE CANAL BILL
CANADIAN COMPETITION.
The falling off in canal traffic this wear as
compared With 1850 has caused large number of mer
chants to condemn the policy OF the railway trnn liues
IN waging war against the water routes during the
season OF navigation while they affect cut rates
among themselves BY reference TO statistics az
canal traffic for July collected during the month
amounted to only $55,5i2 as against SlO55tI
FOR the corresponding month last year. and
the tolls from the time OF the opening Of
navigation amounted to S25GS57 as against
$53i,3SS for the period in 1880 The number OF
boats cleared on the canal since the opening OF nvga
uon Is ISL, and for the period i'm 1850 was 1857
is claimed that the prolonged scramble for freghts
on the part of the competing railroads has reduced the
volume of canal business largely below the average and
that many Of the boatmen have been forced tic up
their boats, and In many offer them for sale s,py
because business has deprecated far below paying
pass Inc railroads. are attracting a great deaf
Of business that formerly by the canals hut il
Is not business that IL profitable, and the railroad war
rs is called, may he terminated any moment IL is
asserted that the present cutting rates Is not alone
fight for The canal business, bar is principally carried
on IN competition with the Mississippi River rourc Ii is
stated that the fight has been prolonged 10 bring obs
nlto members OF the pool TO terms. Ii is pre-
dicted that when the railroads again come 10 amicabc
te1ns IN the Peace Congress-" to hc held ut Saratoga
the freight which they carry for almost uotiip
Will hnd It's back To the water route over which il
has always boon lnsporied cheapest
From present indications probable that the canal
tIanic viii asliu resu:ue its Importance. individual
b,atmen axe discouraged and many VIII dispose
OF teir boats at the first opportunity
Others are determined 10 practise the most ri,id
economy ana viii dispose OF ther animals and use the
cable system. Boamon have accepted the Cable Com.
pany oa,r 70 bay Choir animals al flir valuation and
take pas IN towing IAey End that tn, Increased s.al
Pos cable towing E;Nta greater profits: n2fp ,nrf
al expenses cease Willie receiving DELIVERING
or waiting Tor better elghs. Moreover the space op
tolore uscl as stable can now bc used for cargo.
The Gable Company began business in AnIil. 1851
make Itself strong competitor fOr the gran-carraug
t le one az the evils Of the Erie Canal tlaf
grain oauGot DE sdppod direct from Chicago 10 New
York II has 10 be snipred TO Buffalo, where II h. re-
have To be taken. The middomea" q. Buffalo are
much com planned OF thCr fees for securing crsoes in
srance etc, very and much reduce the nroRs
az the boatmen. The boatmcn, therefore, have DO er-
native oNcep TO run ber craft at positive loss until
they are relieved ~ pue of the burdens, up bv
Tie way side until tho pool lines dscOnsnue the aunii
practice OF cutting rates during he OF Aayi-
CATION.
II is also asserted that stronger effort win be made
70 secure Tres canal Dll at the neetipg OF next
Legislature Tho Melaud Canal route is feared as n
competitor OF lts American rival. As
sSsippi rouc, 10 is reported that the AOcacd barge
les ae 70 ee extended 10 81 Paul in order 10 give te
Northwest the benefit OF CHEAPER iraaSlortatiou
building o. barges OF 1900 tons each IL is believed viii
seriously affect New IOrs grain trade, as viii the lower
ltteS nom 81 Louis 10 Liverpool by
Inc rate hy tins route is II cents b,.stol Wniie
by way Of New-1orh il is about % ccuts