PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION. 
l 9 
COST OF FREIGHT PER TON PER MILE. 
As we proceed with the propositions before us, it becomes a 
matter of no little moment, to reduce the cost of water and rail 
freightage to the science of decimal fractions, so that we may de¬ 
termine the cost per mile per ton by each mode of transit. By 
this means may we only arrive at the relative value of the two 
modes. Mr. McAlpine, under the old Erie management, when 
boats of only 160 tons were used, fixed the cost per ton per mile 
at 4 1-2 mills, but Gov. Fenton concurred in the subsequent opin¬ 
ion of Mr. M cA. an Chief Engineer Seymour, that with enlarged 
facilities and steam towage, the cost would be reduced one-half 
making it 2 1-4 mills per mile for the extent of the Erie canal, and 
without doubt 2 mills per ton per mile from the Mississippi to 
New York, with steam towage, in closed barges, and without 
breaking bulk, would be ample. 
The lowest railway charges, so far as I know, have been 14- 
mills per ton per mile, while by the following table, which I copy 
from a carefully prepared statement of B. J. Stevens, Esq., of this 
city, and published in the Agricultural Keport of 1869, puts the 
cost at 17 90-100 and charges at 29 80-100 mills. I copy the 
whole table, adding the general averages : 
Classification. 
Cost in mills per 
ton per mile. 
Receipts in mills 
per ton per mile. 
Rv railroad. 
_ 17.90 _ 
.... 29 80 
By canals, including deduction, lockage, 
fito. 
_ 6.40 _ 
_ 11.40 _ 
Bv Frio canal . 
_ 4.05 _ 
Bv rivers, steam towasre. 
_ 2.26 _ 
_ 2.90 ... 
Rv ha vs. 
_ 2.27 _ 
_ 3.73 _ 
J “V ° .. 
Rv ocean. 
_ 1.26 _ 
_ 2.50 _ 
Average rates by water. 
_ 3.24 _ 
_ 5.11 _ 
I find, however, by consulting statistical tables, that the cost 
and charges have been considerably less, (while they are in many 
cases much higher) in both instances. 
