The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1884-03-16
COOPERATING CANAL BoATMxM
An Associates 60 Ne Away with middle
men and Save Money

Chief among the evils that afflicted the
canal boat owners during the past few years
were counted the tolls. the scarcity Of water
the scalpers. and the blsckmailers at the locks
The blackmaiisrs have yet 10 DO dealt with.
The tolls have been abolished. The canal men
hone that further destruction OF the forests
will be abEted. and they have already on one
very important route succeeded In emancpat-
ing themselves almost completely from the rule
Of tho scalper The scalper is usually known
by the name OF broker He serves as
middleman between the boat owner and the
shipper. He contracts to tako cargo from ono
place. to another and gives the job to boat
man. who pays him commission for getting
the cargo. On through freight from Buffalo
to New York. or from ottawa to New York. this
amounted to an average OF $40 a load whore
the scaper was honest.
We never kicked much on that" said
boatman yesterday. but 1t cost US over 800
year. The nip came when scalpers contracted
for cargoes TO be shipped month or more after
the contract; and then turned TO and pounded
far AS TO increase their gains from $40 10 81!
above the Legitimate commission. 1t was ou
Why did You patronize those fieeo;wsa"
Had to. Poor freight was better than mona
but i kept our noses on the gnindstone."
cha%pIain roate said Mr. q. FIJI Hastings S S q Is
South street
by forming cooperative association. Last
spring lot OF boat owners trading chiefly with
o on 2ne6se and M9nrea E9t together
driven to 1t as much by insoent treatment az
anything. the scalpers having q fashion q
freight. Besides. when the freight was accepted
the boatman got his pay in orders on grocsrs
We called the association the Northern
ssrg Is our o%%ssRhsd wv
capital was $4,000. in shares Of $40. No one il
for carsoes. We put the boats on q list and
for s ssd tas
Shsss snsy %ssasd it, 'S We A I'D Ills WisS S
There was an expense. however,"
Certainly, Our comnany's capital is fund
yances; ! was made the general agent at a sal.
airy Of 5000 a yenr out OF which pay my own
pay All dues Tue % n ysy Hs
monthly dues Of 81 during the season Of seven
months TO meet other expenses. The $40 COW
for 10! witch they paid say si5o" ''A ''"'p'''' A'0
why should bOAtman with money take
more than one share in the company. since
ee sb bn a o prSS%Hnt OF dues will
Because we. charge 5 per cent, on the ad.
vances made to boatmen. and that interest goes
| to pay dividends on the capital. As the cap
ital Ia likely to be- turned over several times
| every season the stock is good investment
How many boats are in the association 7"
We have $50 now. Others are anxious to
| come in since we have succeeded. but we have
| not yet decided on what terms we will take
| them. We will not boycott Them though"
Can an association bont take q load outside
| OF your office II u chance offers ?"
mo. That would not be fair to the other
boats. Each must take its turn In the order In
| which it's cargo Is dischnrged here. But tina.
such good despatch as they. had last season.
| other end OF the lines2
We have agents at oil shipping points"
| How does II affect the shipperI
| not content where would We be 2"
TO what extent did no show his content.
| ment last year?"
He shipped G3. 395. $50 feet Of lumber. 40. 21s
| tons OF general freight. and 126. 900 bushels Of
| potatoes with us. We consider that very
| in an entirely now field"