The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1888-05-26
II EpST cGME.

The rumor that the Lehigh Valley Transport
alton company intends to withdraw its fleet OF
laEe carriers from tho Chicago trade, and seek
for terminus at the western extremity Of Lake
superior, may be confirmed or denied. but whe-
thcr il is true false, it embodies a conclusion
that has already come home 20 long sighted men
The agencies uf transportation between the East
and West, operating either by land or water are
coming to understand that it is tie business of
the Northwest for which they must compete The
system which contents ITSELF with reaching Chi
c@g0.belongs to past age. The great through
carrying business in the future Is TO be between
the center formed between these two cities and
the Atlantic seaboard This viii become quite
as evident in relation to the lake route as It has
already become in connection with transp0rtat-
ION By rail. 1t has been realized by the progress
i've roads that Chicago is but q stopping place on
the way to the great business market of the North
west. one by one great systems have centered
here, and the fight now going forward to one of
inevitable conclusion IS for low through rate
between this point and New York. The lines OF
water carriage VIII conform to the same rule
laid dow ~ the course Of natiD nal development.
The case is MUCH palmer and clearer when
water safes alone are considered. The great
northern lakes have always been recognized as
the appropriate highway for the carriage Of
bulky commodities. and the natural regulator Of
rates by rail. By them q great part Ofthe grain
product ofthe west has found its market, while
the vessels that conveyed it returned loaded with
c al and iron ami heavy manufactured products
These are carried on line which one glance al
at the map shows ~ D. q mOckery Unnatural con
ditioas. From Buffalo the natural terminus at
the West, the route traverse is one that doubles
upon ITSELF To compass the land distance be
tween these points, a vessel must take n long dc
tour through lake Huroa to the north, and
turn tie whole length Of Lake Michigan south
ward Nothing but the wonderful cheapness of
water transpOrati N made this feasible at all.
As far as trai, west Of Chicago Is concerned, it is
absurd. Practically h cost of water transport
alton 10 Chicago is tie same as to Duluth or Su-
periuT. The business the future in which the
Northwest must have the leading place, must dis
card the Chicago route altogether As far as local
trade goes vessels viii sill ply the lowerla
Bur for everything that is destined TO pass be-
yona, Chicago is as much out of the way as St
Louis. This fac. is made all the palmer by re
cent enterprises which lit the Superior route to
the culuencC ii deserves. Already the first mem
Der Of the feet Of carriers to the western end of
the lake ana Buffalo are ready for their work
The rail lines already existing between these
centers and the head Of Lake superior are to be
doubled or quodrupled. Competition is 10 be
made complete and effective Whoever does not
wish TO be left in the rear must prepare to fol
low the new lines of travel. Lake Michigan is to
be no more than pocket, ont of and into which
may Cow the stream ota strictly limited and loo
al trade. The trunk line oftne future is rail
road from st. Paul and Minneapolis to the ocean,
aud the great water route is from Buffalo 10 the
head of Lake Superi5r-Pi0neer Press