A. L. Bishop — The State Works of Pennsylvania. 247 



and finally from the canal boats to the cars at Columbia. The 

 freight was handled by transportation companies which fixed the 

 freight rates. N^o matter how small the business of the individual 

 concerns might be, each had to have available both cars and boats. 

 Moreovei", five sets of depots and agents were necessary, located at 

 Philadelphia, Columbia, Hollidaysburg, Johnstown and Pittsburg. 

 Hence it can readily be seen that the fixed expenses of these carriers 

 were necessarily heavy. This fact was strongly reflected in the 

 freight rates. These were placed at such a high figure that, for 

 through traffic, the Erie canal had a decided advantage; for, 

 owing to the unbroken and even character of its route as compared 

 with the main line through Pennsylvania, the transportation 

 companies on the former line could make a fair profit at lower 

 freight rates than those which prevailed on the latter.* Moreover, 

 the transportation companies operating between Pittsburg and Phil- 

 pleasing to contemplate, bnt, I pre.sume, less painful and humiliating in the 

 remembrance and retrospect, than in the experience and reality." — Tyson, 

 Letters on the Resources and Commerce of Philadelphia, p. 14. 



* The following statement was made by a gentleman who for a number 

 of years was engaged extensively in transportation, both in Pennsylvania and 

 in New York: — "The chaige for transporting merchandise from New York 

 to Albany, 160 miles on the river, by the use of steam tow boats, is about 

 the same as for 2() miles of canal. 



"Tlie distance from Philadelphia to Pittsburg (399 miles by main line) is 

 equal to 600 miles of canal. To keep up a daily line of freight boats, there 

 is a dead loss of about .$15,000 when compared witli the Erie canal of New 

 York. The agency and storeroom at Philadelphia, Columbia, Hollidays- 

 burg, Johnstown and Pittsburg cost about $20,000, while these expenses on 

 the New York canal do not exceed $5,000."— J. H. Rep., 1838.39, III, p. 514. 



Another transporter who owned one of the important lines stated: — "At a 

 living profit we find that v/e can carry 100 pounds 100 miles for 25 cents on 

 the canal, for 50 cents on the railroad, and for $1.00 on the turnpike roads. 

 Tliis is the result of fi^'e years heavy business in the three modes of convey- 

 ance. The three trans-shipments, viz. — at Columbia, Hollidaysburg, and 

 Johnstown, equal the expenses of 50 miles of canal. Our line averaging 

 one and one-half boats per day, say 4,000 tons westward and 3,500 eastward, 

 costs for agency and storeroom at Philadelphia, $8,000; at Columbia, Holli- 

 daysl)urg and Johnstown, $3,000 each; and at Pittsburg, $7,000; total 

 $24,000. Equivalent distance from Philadelphia to Pittsburg, 562 miles." — 

 J. H. Rep., 1838-39, III, p. 518. 



"The question is not whether the Juniata or the West Branch shall carry 

 the trade, but whether we shall secure the transportation by furnishing a 

 cheaper and a better route, or whether the extra expense and difficulties of 

 the present line shall be allowed to drive the trade ovit of the state. 



