Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1890-02-06

ware, but In Pennsylvania have reason
TO believe that coal is being mined and
sold within the state at 81 60 and $l,70
per ton from tho Clearfald region to
points In the Schaylsill valley. That re-
suit exists because the railroads aye priv.
iieged TO make any rate Of freight that
they may think will advance their own
interests. The Maryland manufacturers
have the same advantage IN their favor
for the coal Is mined aud uold in the same
state. Wilmington manufacturers, how.
ever, are Disseminated against to. the e1.
tent Of 30 to so cents per ton.
The rate on anthracite conl from the
schuylkill or Lehigh mines 10 Whining
ton is 81 So per ton as against 81.70 TO
Philadelphia or Trenton. Despite the
fact that Trenton ia further froul the
mines than Wilmington, the former has a
uniform rate Of 81 10 from oil the mines
except from the Lohigh and Wyoming
regions. The Philadelphia j. Reading
railroad must haul it there at the Same
figure in order 10 secure ita shars OF the
coal trade. CheHier'B rate Is five cents
lower than Wilmington's although it is a
greater distance from tho mines. MGssa.
ohusotts, Rhode Island, Connecticut and
other senboard steteq oan have competi-
ton by boat from Baltimore hut Della.
ware has to ue content with whatever the
big railroad companies choose to charge
her. The Interstate law can not make
. lower rate unless other points are sacri-
feed. Tho law has been datriment to
business oil oYcr tho country and the
proper remedy il to repeal it,
htn rNNg - a
ern railroad, who Was asked in reference
tothe matter, said; ave Nre ready to join
in reducing the rate to Wilmington to the
same basis as applies to Philadelphia,
but the matter reefs with the initial roads.
u would neceHsitate similar reduction
70 oil intervening points on orr line, but
We are willing 70 make that sacrifice for
the benefit OF Wilmington consumers
know Of no place better adapted Tor q
manufacturing centre than Wlmington.
II hos the benefit OF three trunk lines,
the Pennsylyania and baltimore ~ Ohio
sys'ems direct, and tho northern route
by %ey OF the Wilmington & Northern
and Philadelphia IL Reading railroads.
lts connection with the South Ia also
good Besides 1t has ire water front.
aga BY which there would be no difficulty
in max ng shipments by water.
The business men Of Wilmington have
waked up to the fact of this discrimina.
ton and many OF them strongly advise
an appeal for redress to the Interstate
Commences Commission, which body, ii
IL claimed can remedy the difficulty Now,
that individual concerns have tried in
efectually to get redress from the rail.
road companies, 1t is suggested that the
business interests OF Wilmington, through
their acknowledged representatives, the
Board of Trade, urge their protest
against such discrimination, and, il nee.
essary. carry the complaint to the Inter.
state Commerce Commission for ndjudi-
cation. There are good grounds for their
cause, In that the Pennsylvania and
Philadelphia & Reading Railroad Com.
panies discriminate against Wilmington
in tho rate of freight on anthracite coal
and that such rate Ia unjust and unrea.
sonnble, compared with rates to other
points, and because it discriminates
against district in favor OF other local..
ties which are in direct comp stition and
not 80 great o distance from them. The
matter il worthy immediate attention,
and in the interest OF Wilmington in.
duatties and their prosperity, considare.
ton of the subject should not be post
poned.