The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-01-01

both her home products and those OF the
West.
At that time the method OF making
through rates from ahe West TO the cot
ton region gave Richmond merchants the
advantage OF being able to actually ham
die and reshp Western products with
out making the cost exceed the through
rate: and all rates from Richmond to
points South were made lower than from
Eastern cities. so as to allow proper DIFF
ferentials i'm favor of Richmond. and place
her on an equal footing with other South
crn ports
NEW OWNERS-NEW COMBINATIONS.
As years rolled on the ownership or con
trolling interest in transportation lines has
passed to other hands. new combinations
and consultations have been made. new
railroads built and old ones extended; new
routes established. and with these changes
traffic. which formerly flowed through
Richmond, has been directed 10 other
channels All that was material OF the
Richmond and West Point Terminal Com
pany was comprised in its terminal facili-
ties, and they are gone; the wharves at
west Point are dismantled. the ware
houses have been pulled dowa; the tracks
torn up. The Richmond and Danyille rail-
FOR commerce. has become a mere branch
OF the Southern railway. on which Rich
mond is denoted by its distance from
Danvile.
The Richmond and Danville railroad has
been so intimately associated with and
such an important element in Richmond
prosperity in the past that her merchants
and manufacturers must view with con-
Germ the great change which has taken
place In its relations 10 other lines or
transportation. for when it was the domi-
nant interest in the Terminal system,
Richmond interests were assured or pro-
lection. but now that IL is only branch
of the through line from Washington
through Danville TO the South. the in
terests OF the main line predominant. and
unless the Chamber OF Commerce IS
watchful and active 10 secure rates that
will protect Richmond's interests they
may suffer. Formerly when Richmond
was Disseminated a-ainst by the other
transportation routes. the Richmond
and Danville. as an independent corpora
tion, suffered also and its management
sought relief for Richmond in the Interest
of that road. but now there is no separate
management OF the Richmond and Dan
Vile 10 look after the interest Of that
property. and Richmond must take care
OF herself. or be cared for only as any
other station on a Subordinate line Of the
Southern railway system.
Formerly the management OF the
Richmond and Davile Company was In
daily contact with the business men OF
Richmond. and. therefore. in closer SYM
pathy with them than now.
INJURY OF UNEQUAL RATES.
The relations between trade ard trans
i. al ha
least inequality In the adjustment Of rates
may operate injuriously in ono direction
or another. and such inequalities are la
bic 10 occur at any time. The managers
Of great systems want revenue but II IS
tho general result that particularly con-
Germs them, and not where the traiiic
comes from end gees 70. One place is as
good &c another 10 them. provided u FUR
nishes the revenue they want. but their
ears are always open 20 any proposition
for new business that will increase the
volume OF their traffic at even low rates
FOR there is profit In new traffic at what
would be considered very low rates for
regular traffic
Rect SUGAR.
The movement % inaugurate the max
ing Of beet sugar is sure TO command the
cooperation u the railways, for 1t VIII
create a new traffic IN large volume that
car. be TRANSPORTED al small additional eN-
pense and so also with any other new
enterprise that may he started in Rich
nond that offers the some inducement;
but I'm starting any new industry the
question Of transportation will have 70 be
considered. and It is this that has In
duced me 10 present my views and some
historical facts bearing upon this question.
r. VI. r. TALCOTT