Year: 1879

traffic reaches the New York market makes
practically no difference to the local New
York producer, for if that traffic did not
come by the New York roads it would reach
the same destination by other routes,
should such rates be applied to the New
York roads as would diminish the propor-
tion of the whole falling to the Western
connecting roads. SO that if arbitrary rates
were prescribed BY State law the possible
danger might be incurred of forcing traffic
to New York city over competing trunk
lines, and therefore of making the traffic to
the city independents of the State. The
New York producer wonld therefore not be
benefited; but, on the contrary, the reduc-
tion of traffic on the New York lines would
very likely force up the local rates.


In this connection good point was made
by Mr.. Jewett, president of the Erie, against
the advocates of free canals, who are in
many instances the chief complanants
against the low rate at which Western
freight is carried through the State. With
the canal free the rates by the water route
would be still further reduced, when we
would see the State itself discriminating
against classes of it's own citizens in the
very manner Of the railroad corporations.
In point OF fact the canals are doing pre-
cisely this thing now by their low toll
sheet. Another point to which Mr.. Jewett
called attention was that Philadelphia,
Baltimore and Boston have each direct
connections with almost every busi-
ness centre in the State To foster and
protect the various interests within its
borders is the true policy of every State,
and in order to preserve the trade to the
New York roads exceptionally low special
rates are, it must be allowed, sometimes
necessary. This the roads must either do
or let the traffic pass out of the State by
other transportation lines. and to this ex-
tent they would thus lose it and to the
same extent also impair their. ability to
serve the local interests of the State faith
fully or to serve even the general interests.
Every one will concede, perhaps without
hesitation, this latitude in railway manages
ment, but as for the necessity of some gem
eral uniformity in rates that can be pub
licly understood even the railway managers
will allow. Both Mr.. Jewett and Mr..
Vanderbilt have testified to this But if
this uniformity is to be made satisfactory
in its application to the State roads connect
ing with the roads of other States, then it
must be obvious that arbitrary State legis-
mischief, unless it harmonized with similar
legislation in adjacent States; for in that
case what would prevent the roads of one
State from combining TO the prejudice Of
the roads Of another State, when the legis-
lation of that State shall furnish opportu-
nifty for taking such advantage9 Clearly,
therefore, the best solution Of this vexed
question would be broad, generous and
comprehensive agreement among the rail
way managers themselves on basis to which
Congress might justly give the sanction of
law. Let US hope that in the presence of the
general discomfort better counsels will pre-
vail, and that at least the genius of COM
mon sense will come to meet the reasonable
demands of the people, as well as the needs
of our growing trade and increasing pros
perity. The aid of the Legislature has
been invoked, and it will be their duty to
pass such wise and equitable laws as will
establish confidence in our transportation
system, thereby giving encouragement to
enterprises looking to the preservation of
our matchless harbor, the increase Of our
terminal facilities, the improvement of our
docks and wharves and of everything tend
ing to enlarge our commerce and increase
the wealth Of the State.