The Washington herald., 1921-12-06
LAKES OUTLET
Held PRESSING
NATIONAL NEED
Reps. Nelson and Chal-
mers Declare Further
Neglect Crime.
Continued from Page One.

Conttrted from rage one.
ward to meet the movement of the
center Of population and to obtain
greater business for the railroads
themselves. Eventually the trans
continental routes were construct
ed. providing US with rail- transpor-
tation from sea to sea. As a result
of this progression the direction OF
traffic has always been largely
East and West Later We built the
Panama Canal. and although this
canal involves the passage of sew
eral locks, overcoming q total ele'
walton OF SIS feet and the tolls have
amounted to approximately 81 per
cargo ton, the economies of the
route as compared with transcon
tinental lines have resulted in
marked diversions OF traffic to the
water route. and lately the trans
continental lines have been obliged
to make important reductions in
freight rates with a view to meet
ing in some measure the compeu-
tion of the water route. As IT Is,
the rates by water are in many
cases less than half the rates by
rail. although the distonce is ap-
proximately twice as far.
At Unfair DISADVANTAGE.
The benefits Of the Panama
Canal extend from the Atlantic
coast westward as far as Indiana,
from the Pacific coast eastward as
far as the Rockies, and from the
Gulf coast northward as far as st.
Louis, leaving the great North CEN
trail and Western area OF the coun-
AiGa6uo in
respect TO both foreign and domes-
tic trade and imposing restrictions
in commercial intercourse which
are Injurious to the entire coun-
try"
The Wisconsin Representative
said that the United States as a re-
suit of a particularly favorable po-
sition, has developed a vast trade
for manufactured goods in South
Amsrica and the Orient, and that
the return Of peace has brought
keen competition among all nations.
American goods are popular, he
said, but deliveries notoriously un-
certain because of frequent conges-
tion and delays at terminals. Dis
tances to seaboard from industrial
centers Of England. Germany. Bel
gium, Holland and other countries
are one-fourth to one-tenth less
than from Industrial centers OF the
Great Lake regions in this country
In addition to this handicap pro-
duction costs in many lines are
higher than abroad.
Compare Rail Rates.
Rail class rates between Chicago
and New York on exports in cents
per hundred pounds are 1871 first
class, 1881 second class, los third
class, 1914 fourth class, 63 fifth
class. and 52h sixth class" said
REPRESENTATIVE Nelson. "Beweer
St Louis and New York they are
1914. 162, 123. Sc, 731s and 61k. re-
spectively: while between st. Pau
and New York they are 216h, 1884
1431a, 100, s61z and 72, respectively
On frst-class freight these rate,
are equivalent to $3.50 a ton from
Chicago. $3.50 a ton from St Loui.
and s43.30 a ton from ST Paul, the
distances being 912. 1.065 and 1,32.
miles, respectively From New York
to Australian ports the rates range
from SIS a ton for unpacked freight
10 $50 a ton for fine cargo. The
rate is less from New York to Au-
tralia, 1900 miles distant, thar
from New York to Chicago, sOC
miles distant Adding the terminal
cost at the seaboard, IT is very
much more expensive to place high
class goods from the West on board
vessel at New York that to trans
port them by ship to any part OF
the world Our foreign competi.
sA1
board can place their goods on our
shores at less cost than can the
manufacturers OF our interior.
But the cost of the movement to
seaboard is not the only considera-
ton While the commerce of the
country at this moment does not
seriously tax the railroads this is
due solely to the fact that we are
passing through a period of busi-
ness depression. The normal traf-
nc OF the country now exceeds the
present car capacity by approx
mately $4,000. 900. 900 ton-miIes an
nually, and 1t has been estimated
by railroad authorities that over
100000 cars are required to make
UP the present shortage, retire
worn-out cars. and take care of
normal increases of traffic, with an
adequate surplus to handle the
peak loads.
Huge Cost of Cars.
The cost of these cars would
alone amount to approximately 81
hoo.OOO,0O0, nor is any Improvement
IN the situation being made. On
October Is. 1921, there were 374,431
cars in bad order, and on July /.
1921. there were in existence 27O4s
fewer cars than on July 1. 1920.
No new lines nor extensions are
being constructed, and there has
been a steady decrease in the
mileage of track in the Eastern
district where the congestion is the
greatest
With the revival of business we
face transportation congestions
more serious than have ever oc-
CURED before. Railroad authorities
have estimated that II would re-
quire from $4,000, o0O. 900 to SIS
OOo,0OO,O00 TO place the railroads of
the country upon an efficient basis,
No such amount Of money can be
provided and we must therefore
seek other means Of meeting the
transportation needs of the coun-
try. In order TO reduce excessive
cost OF transportation from the pro-
ducing and manufacturing centers
OF the interior, the West demands
an outlet to the sea, and in making
this demand we are seeking not