New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-07-25
PlILyAy RECONSTRUCTION.

direct through route from Chicago and
other Western centres Of trade to Newport
News. with ample capital behind it and a0un-
dant ocean transportation from Newport News
TO Liverpool, appears to he a possible result, II
not the chief object. Of the recent purchase Oh
stock in the heasapealie and Ohio from Mr..
Huntington The buyers may not care DEFINITE
" TO disclose their plans at present and the
sellers NAV not be able TO do so. But the
circumstances strongly support the impression
that several millions would not have peen paid
for stocks of the chesapeake and ONO except
with such a plan in view.
Nor is it plan destitute of practical sense.
Ry route Of about / 600 miles freight can
lie taken from Chicago to one oil the hnest
Atlantic halbors at Newport News. and the
distance from St Louis TO that point is only
about HOO miles. The difference between
this and other great routes TO New FORK is in
distance not much greater than that between
some of the routes which already compete en
practically equal terms, while the Southern
port is one of the best in the world Is beng
furnished with admirable terminal facilities,
and BY lower terminal charges may perhaps
have some important advantages in cOmpet-
tion The Southern route may also be less
interrupted by snow and storm during parts OF
the year and in connection with steamers con-
trolled by the same capital may be able to
make as low Chicago-Liverpool rates as any
other line. But with respect TO all grain pro-
duced south of the Chicago Indiana railways
the route by Newport News will have some
advantage in distance also.
10 fbat al
this Southern route. at least in part. by capital
already invested in other Northern routes may
be found in the end an important sep toward
that great consolidation Of railroad interests
which has been discussed for months with IN
creasing detiniteness. The owners Of many Of
The important lines have become convinced. APP
paYeuty, that the Interstate Association Ut
agreement between gentlemen is not to be
relied upon for all the good results anticipated
| H. NAV be assumed with confidence that thell
minds are turning toward some form OF CO.
ope,atiou or consolidation which shall be more
permanent and effective. and by which the
relations of the different lines TO the Interstate
law may be modified.
All the discussions Of the subject thus FAR II
| is true have only served 10 make more prom
! inent the great difficulties t. he overcome. NJ
enc has been able to suggest plan TO which
there are not obstacles apparently inSnpelable
| II may therefore be anticipated that the next
! great step. whatever II may be. Will not follow
very closely any of the plans thus far discussed
! 40 one can guess. perhaps, in what direction
prcgIess toward consolidation Of interests may
| he made but it is safe to assume that in one
way or another the great Transporting com
panies will endeayor t. unity and harmonlze
their interests. SO that all may add to the value
Of their properties and share in larger pros
pelity
Whether the trade Of New-YoIk is to lose
or gain by this change must depend in grea'
measure upon the business men OF this city
| If they can systematic and reoiganize the bust
ness Of this port 50 that important economies
m handling. Wharfage. lighterage pilotage and
| time shall be effected, this is a good time fol
them to take hold Of the matter i'll earnest