22 
Wisconsin state agricultural society. 
what extent, or how much I have no means of knowing, except 
that these rates are arbitrary and governed by the caprice of cir¬ 
cumstances, in favor of large shippers and against those who do a 
s mall business. I append the certified rates in mills per ton per 
mile of some of the principal roads that reported to the legislature 
of Pennsylvania, 1873. 
4 / 7 • 
Names of Koads. 
Through 
rates. 
Coal. 
Yv T ay 
rates. 
Reading and Columbia. 
25 
18 
57 
Shenanvo and Alleghany. 
73 
161 
Tiotra It. R. Co ... . 
105 
115 
Wescliester and Philadelphia. 
80 
37 
100 
Atlantic and Great Western. 
25 to 30 
10 to 15 
15 to 50 
Cleveland and Pittsburg. 
19 T 9 n 
10- 9 - 
iv l 0 
16 
Average 
Philadelphia and Reading. 
“10 
23 
The cost by rail from Madison to Milwaukee (short route) on 
wheat, has been, and I believe is now, 45 mills per ton per mile, 
or 10 8-10 cents per bushel, while the all rail charges from Chica¬ 
go to New York in the summer and fall of 1872, as reported by 
the Board of Trade of that city, was about 14 mills per ton per 
mile, the lowest rates I have observed, except in rare instances for 
long routes. By these figures it will be seen that railway freights 
are from three to four times higher than water rates, and seven 
times higher than under a condition of canal suitable for steam 
towage, without breaking bulk. Mr. Andrews, author of the cele¬ 
brated report .on Colonial Trade and Lake Navigation, puts the 
lowest cost per ton per mile by rail, at 15 mills. But I have 
placed it at 14 for the reasons stated. I have also modified Mr. 
Andrews’ table, showing the value of a ton of grain at various dis¬ 
tances from market. In this case I have designated New York 
as the market, the shipment by water at any point between La 
Crosse and Dubuque, and have located the producers of the grain 
75 miles inland, with 15 miles (the assumed average distance from 
the first railway station) and the first railway station 60 miles in¬ 
land, (being the assumed average distance to the point of water 
shipment.) I have also supposed the Fox and Wisconsin rivers 
in this state, and the Erie canal to have been improved, as already 
suggested. I have supposed the wheat to be ’worth $1.50 and 
