The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-09-20
RAILROAD DISCRIMINATION.
\ Question In Which all Cities of the
state are Interested.

have read with great interest the letter
of Mr.. +. G.. Leigh, Jr., to Mr.. W. ;. Ira
yers,published in your issue yesterday morn
ing. The letter is very suggestive and in
the direction TO accomplish much good.
There is no matter that more directly con-
Germs the trade and future prosperity of
Richmond and other portions Of the state,
than the matter Of railroad connections and
rates now being considered by the Chamber
of Commerce.
Whatever may be said, pro or con. as u
the natural tendency Of trade to and from
the principal cities of Virginia along the
line of the different railroads from points
within the state, there is certainly one thing
that ought TO be settled, if it can be, and
that is that the natural tendency of trade, II
unfayOrable TO the Virginia cities, shall not
be made more so 10y railroad discrimination
in the way of intentional miscOnnectlOns OF
high rates OF freight to and from these
cities: and, if the tendency is favorable, II
shall not he INSTRUCTED by like means
The argument by the railroads, that
they must aid the natural market
by artificial means, Is vicious III
principle and practice; yet that Is the ar9u-
ment advanced by MIR. Thompson (see Mr.
Leigh's letter., when he said that erich.
counties along his line" But not only do
the railroads aid the natural market, but IN
many instances in this State they have di-
yerted the natural market from the Viz
ginia cities 10 Northern cities by systematic
misconnectiOns among themselves, and by
discriminating rates against the former
cities in favor Of the latter. The real reason
for these determinations and the principle
upon which this natural market argu-
ment proceeds. in justification or excuse Tor
the action of the railroads, consists IN the
fact that il is TO the exclusive interest OF
the railroads to concentrate and consolidate
their carrying trade upon one, or as few
markets or points reached 10y them as posi-
bic, and i'm the selection of this or that mar
ket they will select the largest city in pOpu-
lation, &c. The railroads that run through
Virginia seem TO have concentrated Their
carrying trade anywhere else than In the
Virginia cities. This ought not to be al
lowed where it can be legally and reasOna-
bly, prevented. | believe this can be done.
Tie city Of Richmond is deeply interested
in this matter, as indeed are all the cities
of the state, because Richmond and other
cities want and need as much Of the trade
fthe country folk as they can get; in the
acquisition Of that trade they demand 10 be
placed on equal terms as TO railroad con-
state. Equal terms consist simply in good
connections between the country people Of
the state and the cities therein, and equal
rates of freight between our country friends
and their city tradesmen, as are maintained
between the farmer and Northern cities on
the basis OF distance; for instance, II Baltl-
more and Richmond are equally distant
from any point in Virginia, then the same
rate of freight shall prevail between either
OF those cities and that point.
That is the principle on which rates
should be regulated as between the country
people and the city tradesmen Of the same
state.
As il is now, however, the rates between
Baltimore and many Virginia points are
much lower than between Richmond and
the same points although the distance is
the same or less; this, OF course, shuts Rich
mOnd out from trading at those points; there
is surely no justice in this, aud no reason Tor
1t except the selfish purpose Of the railroads
to concentrate their carrying trade without
regard TO the rights OF the public or the
state that created them. The practical
working of this condition of affairs
Ndetrimental Ia both the city trader
mn the farmer Of Virginia; il ex-
.maeN he city trader from selling TO and
,uvins AOm the farmer of his own State:
ID excludeN farmer from selling to and
Duying from ihe city trader of his own
state. This dekroys the natural and COM
mercial reIationA that ought 10 exist be-
tween those who support and are protected
by the same GoyernmApt; il prevents bota
The city trader and the, farmer from that
freedom of trade MSich is It's life. Both
ought to be allowed wane wherever and
WIN "homsoever they pNSrs.,,
what are some Of the hucai opera
ions OF these railroad restraiN Srpn Trade
II the farmer has an article Naits 10
veil me railroad company confN avn 10
m outside (Baltimore) market. ~ W.
;haser by discriminating against The ~
Virginia. market in the way of high n.y.
MAKING the rate 50 much lower 10 HaIXN
more lhan TO Richmond from point