Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-11-05
REPORT is CORRECT.
insurance Men Advance Rates Be
cause of Seasonal Hazards.

Boston, Nov. 4.--Grain shipments
from Boston during the past two
weeks have been very heavy and the
dispatch from Montreal stating that
that port was losing trade to this city
is regarded as correct by men engaged
in the grain traffic but the movement
is not believed to be one which will
extend to any other season than the
present time of year or brief period
in the spring. when the insurance men
feel obliged to increase rates on YES
sells engaged in the st. Lawrence trade,
because of the greater risks.
Grain shipments from the port of
Boston this week will reach $4,000
bushels, the greatest total in two years.
Last week the shipments were 324193
Shipping men here regard the present
state of trade as normal meaning
by that that conditions for a long time
have been abnormal At one time as
great quantity as .0000 bushels has
been shipped from this port in one
week and three or four years ago the
totals occasionally exceeded the
amount OF the shipments this week.
| The abnormal conditions of the past
two years are attributed to the grant
| ing of better rates by the trunk lines
to other sea ports and therefore to the
| detriment of Boston.
During the summer season Montreal
| gets the bulk of the grain trade from the
Canadian Northwest and a large share of
| the wheat grown in the American West,
due to the cheaper rates from Port Will
liam to Montreal The grain is transport
/ largely NV Of pat
Lakes, the canals and the st. Lawrence
river, the Canadian Pacific and Grand
Trunk Railroads entering half a dozen
states in the American West.
j. w. McLachlan, the export manager
| of the White Star and Leyland Lines at
| this port. when shown the Montreal
statement tonight said he thought that
Montreal had nothing to worry about.
He explained that navigation in the St.
| Lawrence river usually closed about Nov.
70 or Nov. 20, and that after Nov. 13 the
| underwriters advanced their rates on ac-
count OF the increased risk at this season
of the year in the gulf and river. Should
steamer meet with a mishap during No
Vember she might find it difficult to get
away from ST. Lawrence waters before
the ice formed. The government usually
picks up the buoys in the river in No.
| vember, thus adding a greater risk In
| the springtime there is also more danger,
naturally, than in the summer season.
The land traffic late in the fall is also a
| factor in diverting trade from Montreal
The reason that Boston received so much
grain recently was largely due to rush
OF vessels to Buffalo at the declining part
of the season on the lakes.
AS soon as the ST. Lawrence river is
closed to shipping the Canadian Pacific
Railroad will use st. John. N. B.. for most
of its grain export traffic and the Grand
Trunk system will divert most of its
nus, Portland
The Canadian Pacific Railroad has close
| relations with the New York, New Ha-
ven Hartford and Boston & Maine
systems and in time it is hoped part of
the transcontinental lines grain traffic
will be shipped by way of this port dur
ing the winter season, but no great bust
ness from this source is expected as long
as the Canadian Pacific Atlantic ter
minai facilities at st. John are able to
handle the Roads Western trade
The insurance rates complained Of by
Montreal do not apply to either St John
or Portland and it is understood that
those cities are receiving grain which
would go to Montreal except for the high
St. Lawrence Insurance rates, as we'll as
Boston.