Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1886-03-13

a@' SScsCOSS WhAAo AZ ~
is scarcely half the higher figure. The
proportionate charge by rail for the
transit of a bushel Of wheat between
Chicago and Buffalo would be in the
winter from 6 to 8 cents. while by lake
it is generally two cents, and often less
than that. The freight on a bushel OF
wheat between Saint Paul and Chicago
is from 10 TO II cents, whilo Major
Benyaurd has shown that b. the Mis-
sisslppi and the Henncpin cana, !:
would not exceed six cents. Now why
his ditlerencep We answer that it is
owing 70 the existence of the Great
Lakes and of the Erie canal, a free
waterway on which heavy articles can
be carried at loss cost than is possible
by railways, and with which pooling
and combination to maintain prices is
impossible
Take another illustration, furnished
in the transportation Of anthracite coal.
This fuel is wanted for consumption in
almost every city and village in the
great northwest, and il the rates Of
transportation were reduced, as would
be the case if the Hennepin Canal was
in operation, the market for this mine
product would be increased many fold.
This coal is now taken from Erie, Pa,
and from Buffalo TO Chicago for 60
cents per ton, while the railways west
from Chicago charge 50 per ton freight
from that city to the Mississippi river.
Now il this canal was in operation
freight on this coal would not exceed
80 cents per ton, thereby saving $3.50
per ton over present railroad rates,
and the saving on salt, iron, nails, oil,
glass, paints and all heavy merchan-
disc would be equally great.
Not alone in grain and coal will the
construction OF this water connection
between the two great national water
systems of the country prove beneficial
to both producers and consumers, but
it is believed that il will prove a sub.
~stantial blessing to every manufacturer
and emp!Oye in all New England. New
York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania ana
Ohio. In short, it will be the great re-
Queer and regulator OF freight rates
from the Missouri and Mississippi to
the sea coast. 1t will enable the manu-
facturer 70 obtain a larger and u better
market and the producer a higher
price-a benefit to all.
Is further argument necessary to
convince the most skeptical that the
construction of this canal. thus form
ing a link that will connect the great
Mississippi river with the lakes, there
by furnishing an all-water route to the
commerce of the east and the produce
Of the west and northwest, is urgently
demandedp AS it may be asked what
relief would that afford, we answer,
what relief do the lakes, Erie canal,
and the Hudson river atfordP Let us
see: All-water rates on grain from
Chicago to Buffalo, a distance of 1000
miles, are often but II cents per
bushel. and contracts have been made
from Chicago to New York, including
transfer charges, for 6 cents per
bushel. Hence, is not the conclusion
inevitable that if the Hennepin canal
is built and an all-water communica-
ton furnished from all points on the
Nj Mississippi and Missouri rivers to the
lakes the present freight charges will
be reduced more than 50per cent? The
railroads are charging from the Missis-
sippi and Missouri valleys to Chicago
from II to Is cents per bush el. Now,
il this canal was constructed, wheat
would be carried 10y water at from 3
to 5 cents per bushel from correspond
ing points, which would be a saving
over present railroad rates of from 8
to 10 cents per bushel; and the saving
would be equally great on oats, corn
and other products. But suppose the
saving to be only 5 cents per bushel
over present railroad rates, there
would be a saving amounting TO mill
ions OF dollars annually, which would
be left in the pockets of the people,
and not find its way into the pockets
of railroad magnates. 1t is thus clear
ly seen that the saving. over present
railroad rates. in one yea would
widen and deepen the Michigan and
Illinois canal and construct this canal
over and owe again.
Your committee, in giving this ques-
ton that careful thought and consid-
GRAFTON which it merits, is not unmind-
full of the fact that this question of in
terstate commerce has been agitated
by the public and On the floors of Con-
gress for years, In the vain hope that
some relief would be furnished the
people by reduction in transportation
rates. and we are sorry to say that SO
far no practical good has resulted;
hence we think it would be an act Of
wisdom on the part Of this Congress if
it would improve and extend u water
communications, and thereby furnish
q little practical relief.
Your attention is called to q COM
munication on this subject addressed
to the Legislature of New York by that
distinguished statesman, Ex-Governor
Seymour.
INTE IL STATE COMMERCE.
The question of Interstate CON-
merce and of cheapening transporta-
ton has engaged the attention Of the
whole country for years. This agita-
ton led the Senate in the last Con-
gress to appoint a committee of able
and experienced Senators, who have
recently reported the results of their
Investigations in an able paper. A
careful examination OF that report
fully discloses the difficulties that lie in
the way Of so controlling railways as
to permit of no injustice being done to