Omaha daily bee., 1881-08-15
The Erie Canal Traffic

The falling off in canal traffic this
year as compared with 1880 has caus-
ed a large number of merchants to
condemn the policy of the railway
trunk lines in waging a war against
the water routes during the season of
navigation, while they affect to ''cut'
rates among themselves. By refer
ence to the statistics of canal traffic
for July, the tolls collected during the
month amounted to only S55;542 as
against S105, 541 for the corresponding
month last year, and the tolls from
time of the opening of navigation
amounted to S256,357 as against
S534,3SS for the same period in 1880.
The number of boats cleared on the
canal since the opening of navigation
is 2,S11, and for the same period in
1880 was 4,957.
1t is claimed that the prolonged
scramble for freights 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 to tie
up their boats, and in many cases
offer them for sale, simply because
business has deprecated far below a
paying business that forme ly went
by the canals, but it is not a business
hat is profitable, and the railroad
war, as it is called, may be terminated
at any moment. 1t is asserted that
the present ''cutting" of rates is not
alone a fight for the canal business,
but is principally carried on in compe-
tition with the Mississippi river route.
1t is stated that the fight has been
prolonged to bring obstinate members
of the pool to terms. 1t is predicted
that when the railroads again come to
"amicable terms" in the ''peace con
gress," to be held at Saratoga, the
freight which they now carry for al
most nothing will find its way back
always been transported cheapest.
From present indications it is pro-
bable that the canal traffic will again
resume its Importance. Individual
boatmen are discouraged and many
will dispose of their boats at the first
opportunity. Others are determined
to practice the most rigid economy
and will dispose of their ANIMALS and
use the cable system. Boatmen have
accepted the cable c%ompary's offer to
buy their animals at a fair valuation
and take pay in towing. they find
that the increased speed of the cable
towing gives greateY progress, the
Abandonment of animals reduces ex-
penses, as no driver is needed, and
all expenses cease while receiving or
delivering cargoes or waiting for bet
ter freights. Moreover, the space
heretofore used as a stable can now be
used for cargo.
The cable company began business
in April, 1880 The company intends
to build a large feet of boats and
make itself a strong competitor for
prain-carrying trade. One of the evils
of the Erie Canal route is that grain
cannot be shipped direct from Chicago
to New York. 1t has to be shipped
to Buffalo, where it is reshipped, and
the chances of the market rate ruling
there have to be taken. The Enid.
dlemen" at Buffalo are much com.
planned of; their fees for securing
cargoes, insurance, ETC., are very
great, and much reduce the profits Of
the boatmen. The boatmen, there.
fore, have no alternative except to run
their craft at a positive loss until they
are relieved of some of the burdens,
or tie up by the wayside until the
pool lines discontinue the annual
practice of ''cutting" rates during the
season of navigation.
1t is also asserted hat a stronger
effort will be made to secure a ''free
canal bill at the meeting of the next
legislature. The Welland canal route
is feared as a competitor of its Amer.
lean rival.