The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1907-05-07

cihlv recall the old fabl>of the Gamer
which was permitted to put its nead
into the tent. The range of topics dis
;cs discussed in order to show the de-
plorab!e state of affairs gives the rea-
der many suggestions of the compli-
cations in modern industrial condl-
TONS There may be points capaple
of controversy in the magazine article
AMI plausible explanations may be
made of others. But taken as 1t is
written the story is full of interest.
If natural advantages, priority of de-
velopment, and early economic history
are of value in determining the course
of trade, Philadelphia should stano
first. 1t was known abroad long before
New York secured the primacy. IL
has a water front of 33 miles and a
deep channel all the way to the sea,
100 miles distant, along the best
buoved and lighted waterway in the
world, with one exception. It's loca-
ton. lake and middle western COM
merce being considered, is strategic.
The notion that it is too far from the
ocean has little Importance when New
Orleans and Baltimore are mentioned
or the transcontinental cities of Ham,
burg or Antwerp, or numerous others
far distant from the sea. Phila delDhla
is a great manufacturing: center. 1t Is
in the second manufacturing state in
the union. That state has more rail-
way mileage than any, save Illinois
and Texas. 1t has great coal fields
rich mineral deposits, marvellous in
dustrial enterprise. Yet Philadelphia
shipping is steadily decaying.
The blame for 1t all is declared to
rest upon the Pennsylvania company.
When the Erie canal project became
prominent Pennsylvania saw a chance
to defeat New YOrks ambitious plans
in that direction. her own territory
bordering the lakes and touching the
Mississippi valley. The development
of the Pennsylvania railway seemed
the salvation of the commonwealth.
Every sort of favor was freely granted.
The people were so generous that flu
ture competition was practically
barred. Then followed a period in
which the railway influence was al
lowed to grow steadily until it DOM
mated state legislature, city council,
and even minor official tenure. The re-
suit has been that one step has fol-
lowed another until shipping interests
have been deliberately paralyzed
through railway influence. and there
seems no way out so complete is the
railways control of the situation.
Through the influence of the Penn
sylvania railroad canals were crippled,
the river trade discouraged. the coast
70
York, the wharves were leased and
then either subrented or allowed to
fall into decay Expected cargoes of
grain were not ready at promised times
and ships sailed without their loads.
Merchants all over the country learned
that they could get freight more quick
ly through the port Of New York than
through Philadelphia. Annoying regu-
latiOns were made about wharfage, use
of lighters, and hours of wharf bust
ness. No elevator facilities were pro-
vided for grain shippers in Philadel-
phia. Even immigration was disciur-
aged by shameful inattention.
For all these reasons business houses
have moved to New York or Baltimore,
enterprise has been discouraged. and
the city which has grown steadily in
population and wealth, has been Grip |
pied by the railway which it fostered |
and to which it looked for commercial
salvation and Industrial strength. New |
York and Baltimore have prOfited at
the expense of Philadelphia. The COM !
petition excluded by early favoring |
grants to the company has made itself |
felt at the other places and given them !
their marked superiority. and the Penn
sylVania railroad itself is now spend !
ing $2OO,0O0OOO to complete it's ter
minal facilities in New York.