New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-05-25
UPS AND DOWNS OF GRAIN.
ELEVATOR CHARGES BEFORE THE Gov
ERNOR
NEW-YoRK SAID TO BE LOSING GROUND AS A GRAIN
SHIPPING PoRT-THE CANALS HURT.

NE"-YoRK SAID TO BE LOSING GROUND AS A GRAIN
SHIPPING PoRr-THE CANALS HURT.
ALBANY, May "a (Spccial.-Governor Hill gave
nearing this afternoon upon Assemblyman Nc
Hoy Dill reducing the charges for grain elevating
10 hve-eighths of a cent. The canal boatmen for
years nave been attempting to pass bill lowering
uhe 1ates OF the grain elevator men, declaring that
uhc nigh rates prevented them from getting good
prices Tor transporting grain from Buffalo to New
iorH. The owners Of the elevators have fought
the bll stating that their rates as low they
couid prohtably carry on their business. But this
year the Legislature at last passed the bill, and it
mas been before the Governor for fortnight The
ffoduce Exchange, Of New York. has passed reso-
iutlons in opposition to the bill and appointed
committee to come to Albany and make argu-
ments before the Governor against it, In Buffalo,
also, the grain elevator men selected strong dele
CATION TO 60 before the Governor and oppose the
Dill. This action aroused the canal boatmen and
thelr sympathizers, and they appointed commit
tee to favor the bill.
The. Executive Chamber in the Capitol was
crowded with the members Of these conflicting
delegations at p. m to-day. The canal boatmen
ana their friends who appeared to support the bill
here were l.. B. Sherman, of Rome p. G. Doyle
chairman of the Legislative Committee of the State
". +.
president OF the Canal Protective Union: William
IT,. IT,. Cieary, OF Newly ork, president Of the Canal
BOAT Owners Association, and e. NJ Clark, of
oonstantia, secretary OF the same organization,
ana the following canal-boat captains: L. w.
DAVIS of Lockport; G. L. Brooks, of Buffalo; L. A..
james and William Curren Of Montezuma; John
La Point, Of Newark. and ]. Barber, of Gasport.
sented by its president, Alexander f.. Orr, of Brook
lyn +: Woodruff, leading elevator owner, and
General Francis E Pinto Of BROOKLYN; F. W. G.
Knapp John B. McCue, Stephen W. Carey and
4. X Cray. The Buffalo delegation consisted of
George Clinton president of the Canal Union c. A.
sweet Charles A. Boomer president of the West
Merchants Exchange; c. L. Abell r. r. Evans Of
the Anchor Line, S. s Guthrie, Leonard Dodge,
~. Z. Jacqs, Henry J; L; Swartz, Senator Laugh
prietor Of The Buffalo Courier" George F.
Lowerby, S. V. Parsons, p G. Cook and NJ F. Con-
neyi president I Of the Grain Shovellers Union,
resolutions passed by the Produce Exchange
against the bill and read them to the Governor
Mr Orr said the Exchange had 5000 members
large proportion Of their business was the hand
ling Of grain.
Governor Hill interrupting What is the charge
noWP | am the person who is to be convinced
Mr.. Orr-It is 6-lO cents; it is divided up
among various people.
Governor Hill I read in The Albany Express
this morning that the grain elevator charges were
lower in Baltimore than in New-Yorlz Is that
true?
Mr.. Orr 1t is not All that there is in such an
assertion IS that the charge for railroad elevatine
Is less in Baltimore; but this bill does touch
the railroad eevating in New-York. | tell you
Sir that our elevators would not be worth kindlinG
wood If it were not for the canal. We the
silent partners Of the canal boatmen. We wish
them TO be prosperous. We do not act against
their interest We deny that the port OF New-Yorls
is suffering from our elevator charges.
Ex-Judge George W. Smith of Herlximer, said
that statistics showed New-Yorll was not ADVANCING
relatively to other cities in handling the grain Of
trust" to force up prices and maintain them
Many Of the elevators were idle but by combi-
nation they were paid as much as though they
were at work. They had watered their stock and
expected the public to pay for the water. They
could make profit If they charged only one-eighth
Of a cent bushel. Fiveeighths of cent was
generous compensation
Governor Hill said that he wished Mr.. Smith
would furnish him with statistics the sub ject
taken from public documents.
Mr. Smith replied that such statistics could be
found in the report OF the Hepburn investigating
committee TO the Legislature in $40.
George Clinton said in opposition to.the bill,
that the interests Of the canal boatmen and the
elevator men were identical 1t had been said
that there were thousand canal-boats idle at
Buffalo II there were idle boats it was because
the canal boatmen had refused to carry grain
for less than cents o busheL The railroads had
taken the grain for less and consequently the
cana-boats without cargoes.
Governor IIill-What profit do the elevator men
make?
Mr. Clinton-The owners Of the railroad ele-
vators make per cent the other elevator men
5 per cent on their investment.
Senator Laughlin appealed to the Governor not
to sign the bill and then the hearing ended