Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1888-10-11

asked II o pool could Be formed. The
railroad representatives claimed that
while two railroads could not form pool,
railroad line and steamboat line
could pool their rates. Mr.. Stamford
said that there was no real competition
between the Norfolk water lines prior TO
the opening OF the railroad, ss each had
its own natural division of territory, to
Boston, New York, Philadelphia and
Baltimore. The business was conducted
10 the satisfaction Of the shippers In and
around Norfolk. The different lines
acted as check upon each other that
tended 10 prevent any undue freight
charges. The condition OF affairs then
did not tend TO any oppression OF the
clippers, and the public was very well
served.
In response TO Judge Logan's quss-
items, Mr.. Stamford said that the railrord
became competitor OF all the Norfolk
steamship lines. Az the New York con-
ferences, the principal request OF the
water lines was for differentials, which
the railroad representatives voald not
agree TO. They felt that they should not
be on par with daily all rail route OF
the same rates OF freight. He was under
the impression that the water lines made
no proposition to concedc any proportion
Of business to the railroad
Here the oomplainants rested. For the
respondent Judge Logan said that the
peach, berry and other perishable traffic
Of the Peninsula had given the railroad
company much concern for years IL did
not comprise more than one. fourth Of the
traffic while Its receipts were not more
than 10 per cent OF the entire freight
receipts of the road. But II required
SPECIAL facilities for transportation, and
the railroad companies made special
arrangements for it. FIRST, an estimate
OF the crop Is OFT aimed, and cars taken
from other points on the line and freight
equipment bunobed at a convenient
point for the traffic. LRst year 200
freight cars were taken from other roads
OF the Pennsylvania system and assigned
TO the peach service after bong specially
fitted up for the traffic, OF considerable
expense and Inconvenience. 10 addition
to the expenses incident to this particular
service, the question Of movement ia an
important one. The peach ard berry
trains are started at the latest posi-
hle moment and run % great
rate Of speed, 10 that In many
instances passenger trains are laid
out OF the way to accommodate aud
accelerate them. To avoid the difficulty
of getting these trains through Whining.
ton the railroad company, az great ex-
psnse, built cutoff around Wilmington
/ In order to facilitate the traffic. With
the greatest expedition possible tho trains
arc pnt through Philadelphia and on to
New York, frequently overtaking and
passing regular freight trains. At New
York special facilities are afforded for
unloading, and particular information Ia
telegrsphedfrom Wilmington as to the con-
signnent of the different cars on the
train. The railroad company considers
tho present rates inadequate oompensa-
ton for the service rendered, and IL Is q
question whether q continuance of the
service is justihsble. The objections to 8
late arrival in New York can only be OBJ
waited by an earlier departure from the
Peninsula, but this difficulty may be ad.
iustad by consultation with the
growers as 70 the time of starting.
The company Is content TO consider
any proposition relating to this point.
Judge Logan said that during 1887 the
Pennsylvanle's railroad properties south
OF Wilmington were operated at losg Of
Sl29 sos 30 These roads, particularly
the Delaware road, arc operated under an
ngtet ment with the owners, az o rental OF
per cent oa their indebtedness and G
per cent on their capital stock Frequently
tho Delaware rond has made earnings less
than the amount OF the rental. while come
g .La ulHhet roofs bring no revenue al
I'll. Ne aatd tho yalEOad ooupary had
nogn sstaapN1r, Gad WIS anIturs. IL
render satisfactory service 10 the
growers OF the Peninsula. he move.
.nent OF perishable freight is twice %
, fest ~ the movement OF ordinary freight
over the road. AS to tho Norfolk compe.
titiOn the railroad found the steam boat
lines carrying all tho freight irptfc Of tbs
, city to different and diveTgirg poiats and
, became competitor with ali Of them.
, The first witness called was j. M,
Wallace superinter dent OF motive power
, Of this r., W d 3. railroad He said thai
7l5 freight cars were spsien'd to The
, peach trade in 1897, and 273 in 1898 al
, Of which were drawn from other lines
4 Most Of them were taken 10 W iminRtou
y mouth in advance Of tho opening Of the
I season and fitted mp for tho business
/, The GAYS we've frs, thoroughly inspected
aad repaired to make them safe for run
ming +; @ high ratio Of Hpeed, and ther
fitted with shelving, The ecst OF pre-
pairing Ia SiS FOR small Cur and S2A iei
a q large car The Gers were Ia thig service
l from Jnly 10Th 70 :hs middle al Sap,era
hes. In 1888 there we're II eddticne
locomotives tGken from tn pcnnsytyapi;
and Northern Grnirrl ROADS 70 trGnsfe,
peach trains to Grsys Ferry. Peech ant
berry trains arc yuu 1t high Iate O.
: speed, ana tho eppinfe raunot lako NOR,
than rs era without lceicg time On th,
D SLOW mnving trains the Rvec3Re rumbei
/ Of cars is SIS per train. Thn tatel cost o
: preparing tho cars tlr The tTa fi!c th,s yea,
was about $4,000 Higher .need i'm
I poses greater expense 80 10 wear erd Tan,
D of engine, en- 2 fnd tfbgk. Il ia seldou
+; that moro than 50 per ron, OF Cha ey,ri
q equipment Of these cars is yqtn-HCd 10 tt.t
/, end Of the Beason, rs the shelving 10 con
4 StGntly lons. Seven extra Or iusat etor
Y arc als1 emplo5 d during .he ueGsuu, a
Z an exp naY Of $i5 per month each,
Bradford Murphy. tTaju masttr o
3 tho Delaware railroad, gave o desctiutlo,
9 Of the p nch and berry arryica on bis dj
r vision. The initial point is D-imar an,
= as ths bUsine,H increRsos, trina NJ
. started from Gaprgetown, etaford CMy
d ton and cthsr points end ron TIA. hrnprl
s lines These trAipa are rnn az Az ayf5sc
y speed Of from 80 to 81 miles For hour a.
p tween stations, and other freight tr in
ere laid of 70 lot them paHa Mr. Hurph
!. said tins aro|ers had always stSed for a
b much time as possible in getting psaohr
i On tho trains, which prevented al asr 40
4 stais No more than rs cas- are put on
I peach tram it il Can be avoided. Som,
u times there are less, and the average
% shout 90 cars. The average nul bsr {
J. cara on IN ordinary freight train IN n