Page:Clement Fezandié - Through the Earth.djvu/46

26 of refrigeration, which are almost invariably injurious to the articles shipped. Now, do you know how long it would take for merchandise from here to reach New York through my tunnel!"

"No, but I suppose only a day or two."

"Less than one hour! Consequently the most perishable goods could be shipped without deterioration, and even for other articles of merchandise the great saving in time effected would be of the highest value. A dealer need order goods only at the moment he wants them, instead of having to estimate, weeks ahead of time, what products he will require, and loading himself up with stock that he may afterward be unable to dispose of."

"Well, that certainly would be a slight advantage," admitted Mr. Curtis.

"It would be an inestimable advantage," retorted Dr. Giles. "Moreover, do you realize what the expense is of shipping goods by steamer—of the thousands upon thousands of tons of coal burned, of the salaries of the men employed, the high cost of the vessels, etc.! With my tunnel, almost all this expense would be done away with. The goods would merely have to be dropped into the hole in Australia, and carried away when they reached the New York side. There would be almost