New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-04-24
COMMERCIAL RELATIONS WITH CANADA
THE DoMINION's SUBSIDY POLlCY-GAIN TO ITS
RAILROADS IN NOT BEING BOUND BY THE
INTERSTATE COMMERCE LAW

INTERSTATE COMMERCE LAW.
Washington. April Ex-senator Culom mas con
Guided his report upon the investigation MADE by 'he
Committee on Interstate Commerce into the relations
OF the railroads Of the United States and Canada ana u"
what extent il any, the commerce OF the Ohi'eo states
is diverted TO Canadian lines and also, whether 'herc
is any discrimination in the charges maze lor 'oIiS
against United states vessels passing through inc
welland and St. Lawrence canals. The report Is now
under consideration 10y the committee the recommen
dations proposed by senator Culom awaiting the APP
prevail of his associates.
The report states that the Grand Trunk Railway
operates, by lease or otherwise. 911 miles OF railroad
In the states of Maine ewllampshire. Vermont New
York, Ohio Michigan. Indiana and Illinois. The
Canadian Pacific Company'S mileage In the Onl'ed
states is not given but the report shows that 1t has
harmonious operation relations with roads In Maine
Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont. What
the 500 Line. the report SAYS, was pro
noted and aided by friends and stockholders OF the
Canadian Pacific. who hold controlling interest IN the
corporations Of which the 500 Line Is composed.
Comp1aint was made that the operations Of the
Interstate Commerce act placed the railroad lines
Of the United states at a disadvantage as compared
with those of Canada. The committee heard
the testimony Of many witnesses, including ralro id
officials Of both countries shippers ana representa-
tves Of commercial bodies and other similar orSaiMa
tons. East and West. In summing up the ~,uho'l
this point. the committee SAYS h"' '"'' %
for the regulation of own internal ana foreign
commerce, which has accomplished much good j. 10
some extent nullncd by the fact that many of The
chief lines of transportation in the United states
meet the competition Of Canadian lines which are mo-,
so regulated In competing with American raiir'a"N'
not only does the Canadian Pacific Railroad company
enjoy the advantages Of enormous 'oVcrhheh'ai sui"
ventions franchises and privileges by whch lt' roa'
was built and the advantages derived from th' hN'N
subsidized steamer line which forms it connection u
China and Japan but IT is aided by express proViso'
of Canadian statute by being relieved from the haohN
10 conform 10 the principle enuncated IN the fourth
section OF the interstate Commerce act, commonly
known as the long and shorthaul clause
The report shows that the Dominion Of 'ahsha owns
vs,e ~ canals that has cost SOD 900 600. aud The
Interroonial Railway. which has cot Si7,ooo'ooo
Besides these Canada has given to the CANADIAN
Pacific which was begun az a Government me- ED
600 OOO the total cost of the road having Dceh oN
S161, 900. 900. The Canadian people the ooihn''oo
SAYS and especially the political party 20 long III
power in Canada, have not attempted 10 o'ss"so '''
fact that il was their deliberate purpose 10 secure
railroad across the continent of commanding Influence
which in connection with the subsidized steamer INES
would be able 10 dominate the tfdnscontlnenhi COZ"
mercc Of the United and 10 defect from NmcFl
can vessels, seapOrts and American far""u
q large share of our commerce with the countries oi
Asia and with Australia and New-lealand THIS has
10 considerable e>tcat been DOM already ana ule
work Is stu going on.
Canada also subsidies two lines Of steamers from
Vancouver, the western terminus OF the Canaan Al
Pacific with $4,000 year. and one line from ~.
John, y. IT,, IT. eastern term.nu- with S1oOo" (,
wear. This layter Inc receives also S3Ooo'O from
England.
fhe committee refers 70 the proceedings Of ron.
ference Of the commercial and Industrial boiie, 40
the Pacific Coast hcld at san Francisco III JUN ;
1c-g the report Of which conference declare. tii'
with such special advantage. the CANADIAN racine
afford to quote rates which must drive the Amen.
can steamer line, out Of the CHINA trade. ara lin'
an almost rrcparahlc injury upon san Francisco
The report of the Commercial Conference also pro
diets the destruction Of the American steamer lines
now running on the Pacific ocean 10 Australia NeN
Zealand, the Hawaiian Islands. the FL ana samoan
islands. and 10 Mexico and Central America b' sub
sidIzed British steamer lines.
The committee assert. that an unjust dis'r'minn
ton is made by Canada against American YES u on
the lake, in the matter " entrance and ceartn'.
fees. This. the committee asserts. D. ln violation 81
the provisions of the Treaty II Washington.
In conclusion, The committee say. " All ta' i
necessary for tie Governments 0f Great Britain or
Canada do. j. 10 throw sufficient advantage ii
favor Of British steamers. Canadian fishing vessels.
and Canadian railroads. 20 turn conmcrc" from
American railroads. and American scap'n-. ms.
a. already shown. is hcing done not ouly hY sub
vention but also by enabling statutory provision:
which 60 in The face Of the Interstate Commerce at
o! the United States