The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-09-19

beyond these instances think l am per-
fectly fair in saying that there has been
no cutting on rail rates east of Chicago
this season.
"West Of Chicago. however. and on
roads running South to the Gulf of Next
co, the grain rate situation has been one
of absolute decentralization. This has
been due 10 the rivalry for expert grain.
the Southern roads having determined
to get 1t at all hazards this season. while
the lines West of Chicago have done
their best by cutting rates to force the
business by the old channels of Chicago
and the Atlantic seaboard. The latter
named roads have, however. been very
heavily handicapped by the determine
ton of the Joint Traffic Association
roads to maintain rates az all hazards.
think It is no exaggeratfon to say that
since June / rates West of Chicago and
West of Mississippi River points have
been cut anywhere from % to so per cent.
For instance, the rate on June ! from
the Missouri River points to the west
bank of the Mississippi was Is cents.
Now It is l. and cents by the various
roads. Just as fast as reads that run
only to Chicago reduce their grain rates,
the roads that run South do the same
thing, basing their reduction on the
mileage. For instance, as low a rate as
Is cents has been made from Kansas
points to the Gulf on export corn, and
the effect has been to deluge the ports
of New Orleans and Galveston with ex-
port corn, far in excess of their export
capacities.
AT the present time II is fair to as
sumo that the trunk lines have not felt
the effect OF the low rates to the Gulf
as much as they Will when lake naviga-.
tion closss, as the lakes furnish such q
cheap mode of transportation to Buff
falo. Under ordinary circumstances II
would seem natural that the Eastern
lines would not be able to meet Southern
competition when the grain has to come
all by rail, but this s. ason the conditions
appear to be SO favorable for full move
mert of grain and flour that it looks
as though all the routes to the seaboard
will be freely used.
81 am not one who believes that New
York can be the only large port for grain
nearer a large part of the grain pro-
duction, and their increased business is
to n considerable extent natural. I do.
however. bsleve that the Joint Traffic
Association has since its organization
been. in many instances, antagonistic TO
the trade OF the port of New York. I
am not saying that a reduction in grain
rates would have been advisa BILE for
it is evident that the Gulf roads would
have gotten the business II they had
been compelled 10 take it at q loss. IL,
indeed. they are not already doing it
AZ q loss. One example of the Asso-
cations dulings, however, was their
order preventing two deliveries on
went into effect the provision export
business loft this port altogether, and,
while owing to the resembling OF this or
der, we have been able to get part of
the trade back again. we have not got
1t all. as shippers have become accus-
toned to sending their goods by other
routes
A Washington dispatch states that
petition has been filed with the Inter
State Commerce Commission by thu
New York Produce Exchange, through
its president, Henry ID. McCord, as
plaintiff against the Baltimore and Ohio
railroad and all the other different rail-
road companies. thirty-five in number,
70 the Joint Traffic Association,
charging that the rates established by
this association OF railroads for the
transportation of freight from interior
cities TO the seaboard are mot justified
by the circumstances and conditions un-
der which said freight is Transported,
and they unjustly and unlawfully nullify
the advantages Of the port of New York
and divert from II the trade and COM
MERGE which would naturally flow to 1t,
ana un1ustly and unlawfully stimulate
and build up the commerce OF compet-
tive seaboard localities"
me report further alleges that the
ports Of Newport News and Norfolk are
being given unjust determinations
against New York, and prays that the
New York of its natural trade" may be
| restrained from so doing.
In all this there Is one fact which New
YORK business men overlook a fact the
perfect realization OF which Is sure to
come soon or late-that there is not on
all this Atlantic coast city possessing
finer harbor than Norfolk, nor to no
seaport does the Immense corn exports
OF this country so naturally drift.
Taken In time Hoods Shrsaparilla pre-
vents serious Illness by keeping the blood
pure and all the in