New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-05
NETWORKS COMMERCE.
LEGISLATURE WILL GIVE ATTENTION q.
PLANS FOR ITS INCREASE.

Albany, Jan. 4.-The attention ~ the -.
branches Of the Legislature will be taken lin ..
large measure by the considers ton Of the ou..
ton OF Improvement Of the commerce facilit,..
OF the Port Of New-York and the avenues in ~.
State leading TO II.
The Governor and Legislature. recognizing IN.
Importance Of New-York City maintaining ,,s
primacy as the chief port Of the country last
year passed an act providing for the appoint.
ment OF a commission TO investigate the sub.
ject. This commission was appointed and n
pursuing it's duties and has just obtained thu
figures OF comparison showing a large decreas.
in traffic. The total number OF tons Of east.
bound freight on all the canals OF the State
during the season Of navigation OF 1897 was
2,44S.36l: during 1898. 2.3li0JO tons. de-.
crease OF 134.311 tons. The total number Of tons
Of westbound freight in 1897 was | .lG9 i43; in
1898. 10f6Ol3 tons. decrease Of 123 430 tons
The designations "eastbound" and 'westbound"
include what in some instances might be con.
sidered north Inbound" and "southbound"
The Railroad Commission has entered into the
matter by declaring that there IL sufficient
cause, In the increase OF business at other ports
Of the country 10 render the matter scarcely
second to any which must be considered In the
administration Of State affairs The facilities
and cost Of transportation to and from New
York, with the incidental matters which invite
traffic In a general direction and 10 a certain
port merit most painstaking consideration BY
the Legislature.
In the year there were rumors that freigh,
rates were not maintained on eastbound and
westbound through business. This situation
was intensified by the decision of the United
States Supreme Court declaring the Joint Traf-
fc Association agreement to be In restraint OF
trade and unlawful, which resulted In the DIS
solution OF that association. and at the time Of
writing this report it is believed that freight
rates 10 and from the West are lower than pru-
dence in the management Of railroads would die.
tate. At the same Time the volume or ousine"
seems to be increasing. However. II this in
creased business does not bring profitable re-
turns 10 the companies its existence may not
be for the lasting good of the people The In
terest Of this State in railroad transportation Is
greater than that of any other state In the
Union. and makes apparent the importance 70
the State Of non discrimination ana STABILITY III
railroad freight rates. II Is conceded that such
competition as may be detrimental TO the In
terests OF the public and the railroads snoud
be suppressed but q method for lawfully ac-
complishng this does not appear 10 have been
devised. 1t is said that the railroads OF the
country will again urge upon Congress the pas.
sage OF a law permitting pooling Inc Board
has expressed itself in the past as not opposed
to such law. If one can be framed which, while
securing stable rates, will not unJustly anect
the interests OF the public Whether not
such law is passed. II seems TO the Board that
an open and honest administration OF railroad
affairs should result in reasonable rates ano
non discrimination.