Evening journal., 1901-12-30
INcnEAsn ERURAL TRADE

INCREASE THE RURAL TRADE
A day or two ago since we discussed
the problem of securing a closer trade
union betweeR Wilmington and lower
Delaware. We are aware that the
matter has been under consideration
at various times. but we believed that
II might be settled in manner highly
beneficial TO all parties. We have said
that It Is a matter Of transportation,
and any investigation of the subject
must bear out that conclusion. The
people of the lower counties should be
induced TO trade with us. to send a
much larger share Of their produce to
our markets. and do a great part of
their shopping here.
There is little probability of any in
crease in railroad mileage, and com
peting lines seem at present out Of the
question. But We do not need new
roads half so much as we do lower
freight and passenger charges There
is an inclination to bny and sell in the
sells his corn and potatoes, his peaches
an tomatoes in Philadelphia he Is apt
TO journey there TO make his pur-
chases.
II the railroad company could be in
duced 70 give lower freight rates to
this city something would be accom-
piished Following this there should
be inaugurated n system of excursion
rates for travellers. If not Thought
desirable 20 sell these tickets every
day in the week. then they might be
good on certain days. This would
bring the down-state people to VIII
mington almost as cheaply as they can
go TO Philadelphia by boat Then IL
would be a point in our favor if all
tickets sold 20 points beyond the city
had stop-over privileges. enabling any
one to spend a day or two in Whining
ton when passing through. We be-
lieve the railroad would lose nothing
by granting these concessions, as they
would increase the volume OF business,
and minimize competition by boat and
trolley lines.
Then something must be done to
enable the boats plying between the
various points in lower Delaware and
Philadelphia. TO discharge freight and
passengers at our wharves. If there
were a fine wharf on the deep water of
the Delaware with a good street with
an electric line on il leading into the
centre OF the city. an enormous
amount Of trade would come to us
without further solicitation. The
boats from the streams down the State
pass us by stopping whenever they
have freight. at New Castle and reg
ularly at Chester. There is no reason
why. under these conditions. the lines
between Philadelphia and Baltimore
should not avail themselves of the on
portnities which stoppage at oui
wharves would afford.
The third problem of transportation
is in the extension OF electric lines
II seems certain that ere many year,
have passed, these lines will be equip.
ped to carry freight as well as pas
sengers, and they may also run betl
accommodation and express cars.
these lines should be extended unit
the people of lower Delaware arr
reached. and the tarin rates were rea
sonable. It would mean great thing
for our city.
Il Is perfectly clear that we hay'
certain natural advantages which hav
not been properly extended and ther
are disadvantages which may be over
come Our great factories are employ
ing many persons, and there are man.
mouths to be fed. Il is natural tina
the produce OF the rural part of tn
State should find It's market here.
return it is only natural that our mel
chants should sell much more of N
goods consumed by the people of thos
communities Shall we take advaI
tage of our opportunities?