The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-05-08
11oUT OCEAN FREtsHTs
Active Competition for Business Betwser
Rival I.Inee

Rival Lines.
The report recently started in Liverpool
that there is to he another revival of the war
OF rates between the Inman and White Star
lines recalls the bitter war that recently was
waged between these two companies. These
two lines have special rivalry for the reason
that they have tho same sailing day-on
Wednesday The Cunarders, sailing on Sat
urday. are In measure out OF the fight and
independent. Last February, when the freight
rate westward was about 20 shillings per ton Of
1850 pounds or 10 cubic feet the inman Com
pany dropped their rate to II shillings and six
pence. Then other lowering OF rates took
place, alternately, unit. the price got down 10
rs low as i've shiDings on some Of tho freight
steamers. Since then the rates have Gra1u-
ally risen on both sides as tho war abated.
and the rates have again got un to
about 81 shillings per ton OF 40 cubic feet.
OF course this is only an approximate figure,
rs tho rates vary according to the character Of
4 o goods. tho risk OF injury and tho speed
Of the steamer by which tho goods are shipped.
Merchants are not arerse TO paying tho higher
kct whore few days gain in tine gives
them an advantage. 1t often h9prens where
rival merchants are importing the same STYLE
Of goods thut me one who iirst gets MS goods
In the market secures II sale, while his rival
who has shipped by q slower steamer finds his
stock left on his hands Both companies were
glad TO discontinue the fight Of last February
for the reason that the rates were got down
below whore fair earnings could DO made.
Ii Is said that he renewal of the fight comes
out OF diSGG cement OF the question OF differ
entail rates between inst md slow steamers:
that tho lnmnn Company quoted five killings
below the White star when the lnman had
slow boat against the Teutonic aud Majestic,
hut refused TO acce 10 tho same difference whom
they have the crack City of New York against
the Germanic. Thus far the details of tho
affair arc better known on tho other sido than
they are here. Mr.. ismaY OF the White Star
line said the first he hoard OF it was from q
cable news letter to The SUN. There has been
no recent change in the White stars rates.
There ha- been a great change in ocean
freight rates since the rapid increase of the
number of ocean steamers and generally
steady lowering OF rates. 1t takes. for in
stance. enormous business to fl up the fleet
Liuiou, National, Anchor. and White Star lines.
The cream OF the freight business goes TO the
fastest shirs Of each line Tho rates paid in
the early days OF ocean steamships we're
enormous. and made vast fortunes for the
owners. Nineteen years ago. when the White
Star line started with tho Oceanic. the rat ties
were. roughly stated, about three times what
they are to-day, although the average time
consumed in the ocean voyage was couple OF
days longer than IL is at present. Il is gener
ally true that while On all limos the average
length OF the voyage has been shortened tho
average cost Of Transporting freight has been
cheHpened. There il no telling nj present what
will be- the effect of tho threatened row be-
tween the Inman and White Star lines.