River, 352 miles in length, is maintained Toll Free by the State of New York.
Cost of Transport on English Waterways.On English waterways the total cost of transport in 1883 was stated to be seldom more than 0·3d. per ton per mile. In the case of steam colliers it was given at 0·15d. and for steam barges on the River Lea it was 0·33d.[1]
German Freight Rates.In Germany[2] the rate varies from 0·18d. to 0·40d. per ton per mile, thus:—
| Per ton per mile. | |
| Goods in bulk loaded in boats towed in trains | 0·10d. to 0·29d. |
| Goods in bales do. do. | 0·24d. to 0·30d. |
| Goods in bales carried by steam carriers | 0·39d. to 1·0d. |
Hence it is not surprising that in Germany "for valuable goods a preference is shown for water over railway transport."
"There," we are told, "artificial waterways carry the mass of cheap goods for two-thirds of the regular railway tariff, and valuable goods for from one-third to two-thirds of this tariff.[3]
This competition by water transport has not only been successful, but it has also effected a reduction of Railway Freights.
Decrease of Continental Freight Rates.The average German ton-mileage has undergone remarkable modifications. About the year 1886 the average ton-mile rate in the German Railroad Union was nearly 1d, whereas in 1893 it had fallen to 0·67d.
