The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-06-14
FOREIGN HELP.
New EFort TO Enlist English Capital In
mississippi River Transportation.


The ReD,tblican is enabled to announce that
a most important movement Is fairly under
way TO secure the assistance OF foreign capl-
talists In developing the full capacltles OF the
Mississippi river as a channel OF cheap trans
portation to the sea. Mr. OharleS z. Oh 1tpL
feau. one of the most prominent and wealthy
citizens OF the city, has made every arrange,
ment for a visit to Europe for the special
PURPOSE of interesting capital there IN the
establishment of new and improved steam
boats and barges on the Mississippi ana
tributaries, and will sail from New YORK next
week MIR. Chouteau will be joined on the
other sideby Mr.. George Il. Rea, president OF
the Mississippi Valley Iransportatlioan OoI ON
nanv who will assist him In presenting and
explaining the merits OF the scheme Whlcn
will be offered. Mr.. Chouteau has been la-
horiously occupied for some time past IN pre-
pairing for this mission, and VIII go fuily
armed with all the facts and Information
needed to acquaint foreign capitalists with
the extraordinary opportunity for the pront-
able Investment OF money which Is now
sopened bv the completion OF the leCtles ana
the revolution IN the course on tne glain Cl"ae
already fairly begun. He wisely resolved at
The start that the success OF his undressing
could only be secured by his personal WISH 10
Europe, so that he has made no effort 10 IN
troduce his scheme by letter. AS means o. o.
presenting clearly and satisfactorily all OF the
Intricate details of the situation, and as a sup
rlement TO the real arguments which he Will
make in personal interviews, Mr.. Chouteau
has prepared in pamphlet form an exhaustive
review of the river transportation OF the
West az Ii now is and may be-
come. The aim of this pamphlet is to
exhibit as strikingly as possible the
defects In the boats and barges now IN use
and the necessity of Improvement in their
construction to cheaper the cost OF transpor-
tation and insure an increase OF TRACE. he is
the hold advocate of radical revolution In our
present water craft, and his pamphlet IS at
once complete exposition OF the lnnumerap oIe
a. y,F 10
barQeS and of the immense trade Wnlch can
Sc built up with the cheapening OF treight
rates, which will come from the adoptlon OF
improvements remedying these de1lclencleS'
Nothing but plain statement OF facts is re-
lied on to convince the foreign capitalists tha5
the possibilities of this opportunity IS not ex-
apperabed, but these facts are presented with
surprising force.
rrehensiye statement of the area and produc-
lions of the territory which Is drained by the
Mississippi and its tributaries, accompanying
which is colored crop map, similar 20
those published in the United otates census
of the areas of greatest surplus productlon o.
corn wheat. tobacco, cotton and nay, ana the
ultimate connection between them ana tne
nayipable waters of the West, especlallv. II
regard 10 the rivers flowing into the cur OF
Mexico The extent, character and pecullal
navigable features are all considered ~ t ne
tail. and then a full description is given OF Tn
kinds Of vessels now employed on THESE Wd-
fprg. Having fully described our presen
water-craft Mr.. Chouteau proceeds to give, {
careful account of their defects, in when n
makes It quite plain that the cost OF transpor
tation is now very greatly increased by lmper
feet construction of the engines, and unsulta
HE machinery for their propulsion.
Having fully exposed the defects OF tn
present vessels, Mr.. Chouteau presents plans
and detailed specifications for an entirely new
fUna If iron steamboats, and barges, which 1
Is believed can be operated with so mucl
more safety and economy, that larger profit
than are now realized can be obtained at |
Tnuck lower freight rate. He urges that D,
fhe s1se If iron, judlcious design and careful
work nnanshiD win give the greatest strengt
with least weight, while the vessel can b
eiivided s bulk heads so that it will be a