Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-02-24
TRADE WITH BRAZIL.
Possibilities of Big Business Opened
Up Under Blaine's Treaty,
ESPECIALLY In PITTsBURG COAL.
A Broken Shaft at the Sligo Rolling Mill
May End in Strike.
ONE OF THE PENNSY MEMS GRIEVANCES

Inc pr0Spectvely immense advantages
likely to accrue to Pittsburg from Secretary
Blaine's reciprocal treaty with Brazil seem
to have been nearly overlooked. As re-
suit of this treaty with the chief among the
South American Republics, it now becomes
possible for Pittsburg and its neighboring
section to supply that country with its re-
quirements in coal and machinery, to say
nothing of the smaller products which
would follow the establishment of business
relations between this city and Brazilian
ports.
Dealing first with the question of coal:
From figures obtained yesterday, at the
office of leading operator, 1t is found thas
the cost OF a ton of coal OF f2, 240 pounds,
placed on board ship at the New Orleans
jetties. and including loading, trimming,
towage and insurance, is S4 81. The distance
from New Orleans to Rio Janeiro is $500
miles, and to Montevideo 1000 miles.
Latest advices from New Orleans say that
freIghts can be secured by ordinary sailing
vessel to these ports and Buenos Ayres,
from S. to 81 a ton, according to season.
These ports have deep harbors, and if trade
were established, steamers carrying from
5000 to Z, 900 tons of coal could be put on at
freights from Sc TO SS ton.
How a Difference Could Be Made Up.
As the distance from New Orleans to the
points mentioned is about the same as from
England, and the freights are identical S4 81,
coal at New Orleans would be above that of
Cardiff or Welsh coal, which is placed on
board ship at 81 IS ton, of 2, 240 pounds.
1t is held that this difference against Pitts
burg coal could be made ur in reducing the
cost OF wharfage dues at New Orleans, by
using special wharves. and that vessels en-
gaging ir tine trade would charter at much
less rates if they were guaranteed return
cargoes. That return freights would follow
on regular communication with New
Orleans being established, seems tolerably
certain. At present. of the 1000, 900 bags
of coffee annually consumed in the South
west, not one fifth, it is stated, is received
direct, and this amount would naturally
travel over the nearest route. And this
source of return freight would be derived
from the South American products shipped
to New Orleans for transmission by river
and rail to railroad points, for if communi-
cation were established, these goods would
be delivered here by the shortest aud cheap
est route.
1t is possible, too, that the cost of ship
ping coal to tidewater might be reduced by
the tows taking return cargoes of such South
American products as would be shipped tor
midland use. The boat that carried coal
from Pittsburg on one trip might return with
coffee, sugar, rubber, lumber, etc., an
other.
When it is remembered that coal finds a
ready market in Brazil at from S14 to SIG a
ton, and that England and Belgium last
year between them supplied that country
with $780, 900 tons, it is easy to conceive
what matter for consideration this possible
trade with Brazil is.
The South Awake on This Question.
Southern capitalists last year did not wait
for Mr.. Blaine's treaty to recognize the i'm
portance and necessity for direct and elfec-
tive line of communication between the
points referred to. just before the late
financial furry a company with a capital of
S100, ,000, 900 had been organized for this
purpose, but the application for charter
was postponed in consequence of the crisis.
Should it be clearly demonstrated that coal
and produce from this and the Kanawha
districts can be sold in South American
markets, it would afford strong argument
for undertaking a thorough improvement in
the navigation of the Ohio. 1t would also
offer substantial reasons to those already ad-
yanced for the construction of the Erie
Canal.
If coal can be sent from Pittsburg to
Buenos Ayres by direct water communica-
tion, machinery and other products can also
be shipped with equal facility. Operators
and manufacturers were spoken with yester-
day on this possible addition to Pittsburg's
trade. There was a general expression of
opinion that if such communication with
the South American States could be es-
tablshed as would make it possible to COM
pete with Europe the city would strike an
era of prosperity alongside of which her past
record for substantial success would pale.