New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-09-05
CANAL TRANSPORTED TON.


DIFFERENT ROUTES.
Since the action of the Canal Board at AL
bany recently. adopting committee report declin
ing to recommend that the Westbound freight
tolls on the canals be reimposed, there has
been considerable talk among merchants canalboat
men about the origin Of such suggestion. II there
likely to be deficiency in the there would
be remedy in curtaling expenses the manner OF
other public departments when In financial trouble
The New-York Post Office, for instance. Among group
OF merchants day two ago the suggestion was made
that the public service needs u few more such
Postmaster General James, who looks after the depart
ment in his charge the he would his preate
business IA TO the future of the their man.
agement the following interview obtained from
prominent merchant, who has made the subject per-
sonal and prac teal study for years:
what is your opinion to the future Of the Erie
Canal In view Of the competitor OF the Canadian the
Mississippi water-routesp
1.-The Erie Canal with the great lakes, make the great
northern water route Of the United States While water
navigation open this is the national outlet for
the products OF the large territory adjacent lakes
and delivered to their shores by continental lines of rail-
roads and their branches Only water route
exists In this country which nearly equals northern
and that is the Mississippi River This southern water
route is only available during the winter as climatic
conditions prevent its in summer Therefore the
seasons OF the year control the usefulness
water routes, preventing actual competition between
them The Mississippi Is the better of the two being
open, deep stream, without to navigation
except by snags and shifting channels
The lakes and Erie Canal afford nearly these natural
advantages OF the Mississippi for lakes are better
navgabe waters, and improvements OF their outlets
when INSTRUCTED by shallow narrow channels
make them nearly perfect q continuous
route. The Erie Canal constructed between the
lakes and the Hudson River, Ia virtually a stream of
water 345 miles long 20 feet wide and feet Deep
~ locks to supply the great advantages OF water level
II would be useful and very interesting 10 be able to give
statement based on State statistics, of the tolls trade
and tonnage OF the Erie Canal, more intelligent
idea OF its business might be had by the public and es
peciay by individuals whose interests are directly
benefited and conserved by the facilities
OF transportation offered by this greatest
artificial water route in the world. II would
then be known that nearly $40 900 had been expend
ed In the construction of this enlarged aud ditch
OF ClNons original conception that 5000 canal
OF an capacity OF 200 each are registered
doing the business OF the season.
to 100000 tons in, say seven months Of the year;
q greater average monthly movement than that of
the .NewYork Central Railroad"
"What the advantages of water ~
The cost OF transportation by is cheaper than
by railroad The only are the longer time
consumed and the inability deliver freight except by
water connections These disadvantages neutraized
where large quantities delivered by water between
far distant points without handling with the saving
OF some terminal expenses The transshpment grain
ut Buffalo from vessel to elevator beneats
the quality OF the grain equal To the of such eleya
Is that unlike the railroads. ship grain by the
canal direct from Chicago 10 New York but must ship
To Buffalo, where II has to he roshpped and
chances OF the market rate ruling there thus creating
element OF uncertainty that when rail rate is
exceptionally low the shipper will take advantage OF il
instead OF the water route The ability water routes
To transport grain cheaper than railroads is proven by
the fact that propellers belonging trunk lines
OF railroads do prohtaby transport grain between
Chicago and Buffalo Mt equal one-hfth OF a cent
IA Of pght hin ha
tween Duluth and Buffalo is usually the same rs eween
Chicago aud Buffalo. although Duluth is several hundred
miles further west than Chicago. Hence growers OF
grain the line OF the Northern Pacific Railroad can
ship cheaply from Duluth Buffalo IA can
the Chicago merchant, with the great advan
tage In inland railroad freight equal to the
distance from Duluth to Chicago. Although further
west than Chicago, Duluth Ia quito as distant from
Buffalo by water trans portation.
again. the present wheat by canal from Ruff
fao to NewYork OF cents bushel pays little profit
an gives the boatman home for his family on board
canaboat cargo of 5000 bushels. $40 TONS wheat.
pays $500, $40 tons OF grain, equal to "a car
loads. are carried 500 miles for 1920. equivalent
to 10000 tons carried mile for $500
which Is cost Of r., 60 mills per ton mile. The
sss, the Sorn 1 aSe to
move freight at rates che per than the railroads.
Erie only % ts ns capacity of the
state this to be fact. what prevents the Erie
Canal from peng OF the greatest benefit to individual and
worldi' '"'-p '''' W '"e
is the want of the same kind OF administration ~,
trunk railroads. and other transportation lines There
between those engaged u canal business
making result ~ profit and management equal the
system and economy Of the best Kind the sdoS
tIon OF improved and tested mechanical appliances
s tr snd sso sns % y
tonnage through the making of through freight
from lake pors to the ssaeoard and the abolition
extortonate charges Of middcmen and soapers. Such
should have the support of the State first making the
canal ree OF all tois the cost OF its maintenance
taxation which, as has been estimated, would amount
only on those able to pay the tax and cs apa eaf
by free canal leaving the humber poorer classes of
taxation second by keeping canal in perfect repair
and working condition, leaving available the legal d.
use of Its water for Industrial sewage third
by supporting every known that facilitates or
mnlsraion OF the canal business, fostered aud
supported by the State must be supplemented
boats Next to free canal nothing so necessary to
Ghsapep transaoraton on the oanafas steam
power III practca ana satisfactory ami
MAJ P1% n ana OF cheap application TO the cauaboas
be doubled only that boats are towed three e.
an nour the oenefts arising from an would
be immense English grain MERCHANTS recognize this i'm
already estimating saving of Interest on their hnsi
mess WIN ,hs country In buying and porting grain by
IN having their grain subjected shorter time To- thc
warmer Waters OF the canal compared with the lakes
great deal of grain to Montreal for export "'"
great need OF greater speed the canal IL evil
especially stimulated by the prize law of this STATE
Efforts to accomplish this by constructing very mero
limited success The of these m use cannot com
Pf g T.m animal power and are only profitable
DAILY operation on the canal between Buffalo and Roch-
but is easily controlled to meet their wIshns @
M w. Do Eehsriy adopted by the boatmen to