The Saint Paul globe., 1899-12-13

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It is not long since the city of New
York was engaged, and it may still be SC
engaged, for that matter in making in
quiries through its representatives con-
cerning the steps most likely to put an
end to the inroads which are being made
on its supremacy as a great center of for
etgn shipping commerce. 1t has received
some excellent advice in that behalf which
it may or may not benefit by On the
direct proposition of the continued as
cendancy of New York as the great depot
Of marine commerce the Globe has
really but little concern whether the
advice will prove of value or otherwise.
We would all, of course, like to see
New York, as we would every other
American pert, maintain its prestige as
against any port outside the limits of the
United States. We are not likely how
ever, to see any ssuch state of affairs
maintained for any considerable period
Of time as matters are at present or
dered by the legislation of that state or
by the public policy either of our ma
tionat government or of the government
of the state of New York.
Within a day or two a distinguished
merchant and grain shipper of Buffalo.
n. Y, has paid a visit to these parts
The object of his visit was the promo
tion of a new steamship line running
from American lalya rorts +o NToo+rool
for the conveyance of grain to the sea
coast. He brought with him the informa-
ton that contracts are under considera-
ton for the construction of some twenty
steamers for the trade in question. They
win be 2l0 feet long, forty-two feet beam.
and will draw fourteen feet of water
through the canals. During the open sea-
son it is contemplated employing these
vessels in carrying grain from our lake
pcrts to Montreal and in the winter they
will be engaged in ocean and coasting
traffic
Doubtless this news will interest New
York. 1t ought to do so. But the small
est fraction of the grain shipped from the
West over the lakes to Buffalo has found
its way to tide water at New York
through he Erie canal. The great bulk
of it has been carried by rail. The in
creased charges Of transshipment and of
overland transportation have not, of
course, concerned New York so long as
the grain reached its docks The longest
&c OfSn
est route to a given point, as Montreal
is just about to demonstrate to the in
sular minds Of Gotham. We sincerely
hope that the demonstration will be of
when it has been made.
The foresight Of the beginning of the
nineteenth century is the hindsight of
the opening Of the twentieth. De Witt
Clinton was far-seeing man in his day
but he probably wouldn't be put in the
same class today with the present board
OF directors of the New York Central &,
Hudson River railroad corporation. or
the other public influences which have
been effective in satisfying all concerned
that the invaluable service which he rem
dered his native state by connecting the
waters of the lakes and the Hudson was
so we'll done that it will suffice for all
time. A ship canal between the same
points may be worthy of consideration
according to such prescient mortals
about the beginning of the century after
next
Meanwhile Chicago, Cleveland, Buffalo,
Duluth. West Superior and the other lake
ports will find it easier sailing by far to
get their grain out on the bosom of the
broad Atlantic through medium of the
st. Lawrence than through either the
Erie canal or the Vanderbilt system.
And New York will still continue to