New-York tribune., 1900-01-26

Of its chief city.
CONCLUSIONS SUMMARIZED.
The Commission presents a summary Of hs
conclusions and recommendations as follows:
Flrst-The decline in New Yorks eomnsrca
has been steady and continuous for many years-
II has been more pronounced during reeens
years, and has now reached serious proportions
in actual loss Of exports This loss has been
largely in exports OF grain and flour While
New York has been steadily losing, Montreal
Boston, Baltimore. Newport News and the Gull
ports Of New-Orleans and Galveston have made
substantial gains.
Second-The loss to Nev-York is due in zreas
measure to a discrimination against New-York
in railroad rates imposed BY an agreement
known as the differential agreement, between
the trunk line railroads Of the American At
lantic seaports, including the NewYork rail-
roads.
Third-While this dinerentiaI agreement nv
it's terms. gives preference in railroad rates only
to Philadelphia. Baltimore. Norfolk and New
port News, the port OF Montreal and the Gulf
ports are benefited to the injury Of New-York
TO full an extent as II they We're parties 10
the agreement in view Of the fact that In +ba
competition with the Gulf ports and with Mon
treal the differentiai agreement alone prevents
the NewYOTk roads from giving New-York as
low rate as is accorded by the agreement %
Baltimore and 20 Newport News. and the
same differential agreement. while providing
the same rate for Boston as for New-York. per-
HltS the BoSLcn rOads 70 a4IoW Iree insurance
and free storage to an extent that amounts 70
as substantial a discrimination against New
York as IS Imposed by the discrimination in the
rail rate in favor OF Philadelphia. Baltimore
and Newport News
Fourth-As a result Of this situation in which
New-York is prevented from receiving the bene-
fit Of her natural advantages, in competition
with those other ports each Of the ports named
has made gains. while New-York has continued
to lose.
Fifth-Whle there are port charges in New
York that can and should be reduced. IL win
be lmpracticable TO assure to New-York any
benefit from such reductions so long as the rail-
roads are permitted 70 offset the saving in ex-
pense thus secured by correspOndinSly increas-
ing the differentiaI against New-YOrk. That
such is the principle Of the diferentiaI agree
, ment and the policy Of the New-YC roads, as
well as the roads to the Southern Atlantic ports
was conceded by the officials of the New York
roaos when they appeared before the COmmis-
sion.
Sixth-The theory Of such discrimination Is
that under natural competitive conditions New
York would maintain its pre-eninent position
IN the export as well as in the import trade OF
the country, New York under such natural con-
ditions being the cheapest route to the foreign
markets Ior the products or the West To the
extent that this diiferential agreement requires
the New-York roads to charge a higher rate
than otherwise would be imposed upon the ex-
port products Of the West IL is in effect an ex-
port tax upon such products.
Seventh-To abolish the differentiaI therefore
would not only result in New-YOrk regaining
the commerce now diverted to other ports but
It would also benefit the producers and export
markets This is explanatory of the fact that
the Western exporters express themselves as
equally concerned with New-York regarding
this railroad discrimination against New-York.
Eighth-The principle OF the diferentiaI agree
ment Is inequttable and unjust in theory and
in practice. New-YOrx has suffered much there
from. and should use every means within her
power, not only to have it abolished, but also
to render Ii impracticable Of restoration The
diferential rate applies not only on products
destined for export, but also destined for local
consumption by the people of New-York CHtv
Nfnth-The fact that the New-YOrk Central
and Hudson River Railroad Company has re-
ceived exceptional benefits from the State OF
New York makes that corporation exceptionally
culpable for participating in the discrimination
to the serious injury Of New York
Tenth-This railroad discrimination against
New-YOrk would be impossible without the par
uclpatlon or the NeW-TOrk Central and Hudson
River Railroad Company and the demand that
II Withdraw trrevocaby from the differential
agreement is now made understandingIy.
Eleventh-The State has it within its power
through an adequate Improvement OF the Erie
Canal not only to apply the remedy that viii
secure II against further loss Of its commerce
but that will secure to 1t as well the restoration
Of that which has already been diverted
Twelfth-This result may be achieved through
canals contemplated by Chapter 70 OF the IaTvs
Of 1898, at an expenditure not exceeding SIS
100000 To receive full benefit from the com
pletton Of such improvement canal terminals
should be provided by the State both at Ruf-
falo and at New-YOrk for the receipt safeguard
ing and delivery Of package freight transport
Canal
Thlrteenth-while thus providing for com
petition with rail rates sufficient TO render
difficult, II not impossible, a discrimination
against New-York, certain high charges at the
port Of New-YOrk should be reduced. including
the charge for elevating grain, and also fnclud-
ing the excessive rentals imposed for the use
of public docks
Fourteenth-The Commission. therefore 49,
ommends for immediate legislative action:
THE COMMISSIONS RECOMMENDATIONS
First-The passage Of bill providing for the
earliest possible completion OF the Improvement
Of the State canals contemplated by Chapter 10
Of the Laws Of 1895 and providing for bonding
the State in the sum OF S15OOOOOO or so much
thereof may be necessary. the proceeds to be
applied to such improvement said bill to be
submitted to the people for their approval at the
next general election.
Second-The amendment OF Chapter 494 OF the
Laws OF 1899 to authorize the designation
for canal terminals OF public piers in the city OF
New-York, and suitable locations upon the Erie
Canal lands at or near Buffalo with power TO
cause to be erected thereon proper Enclosures for
the reception. safeguarding and delivery OF
freight transported destined for transDOrta-
tiOn the State canals. and further provfG-
ing that said piers and said canal lands when
so designated and so improved shall be set apart
exclusively for canal terminals under such rules
and regulations may be established Said
amendment should further provide for the an
pointment Of two residents OF the city OF BuP-
falO as members Of the Commission
Third-That Chapter go OF the Laws OF 1883
entitled An act 10 regulate the fees and charges
for elevating, trimming, receiving, weighing and
discharging grain by means of floating and sta
tOnary elevators and warehouses within this
State" be so amended TO make il more dif-
hcult of evasion and TO provide for q maximum
rate of One-haiS cent bushel for all services
performed in and about the elevation of grain
and providing a penalty for any violation OF the
act.
Fourth-That Section >. Article II Of the
Transportation Corporation law (beins CbaDtsr
40 OF the General Laws) be amended bv striking
out the words and no corporation Organized
under this act and designed to navigate any OF