The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1885-12-12

The Executive Committee called into be-
ing by the action OF the delegates to the
water ways convention at st. Paul, in
August last, have issued a call for q con-
vention for Missouri River Improvement,
to be held at Kansas City on the goth
inst. In their call the Committee makes
the following statement:
From the facts disclosed by the experimental
feet of 1878, and from a knowledge of the Mis-
souri, and Mississippi rivers. derived from a long
experience with them, Captain Lowery, who had
charge of the Babbage COmpany's fleet In 1878,
arrived ut the conclusion that with adequate i'm
provement of these rivers, grain can be
carried from Kansas City to New Orleans at a
freight charge of seven cents per bushel. 1t is
believed that a corresponding rate from all other
Missouri river points and three cents added for
the higher cost of ocean freightage to foreign
markets from New Orleans than from Atlantic
ports, would not exceed twelve cents per bushel,
making the grain available for export from
New Orleans at the same charge as from Atlantic
ports.
The current rail rates for years past from Mis-
souri, river points to Atlantic ports has not been
less than twenty-on cents on wheat and sixteen
cents on corn-a difference of four cents on corn
and nine cents on wheat in favor OF the river
route. The price of grain in the Missouri valley
is the price in foreign markets less the cost OF
placing it there. The price in foreign markets Is
fixed by the supply from countries other thar our
own, hence this saving, If realized as it may be
by the improvement of our rivers, Will lnure 10
the producers in the Missouri Valley, and Will
apply to the entire product of our farms, as We'll
as to that part exported.
Tho nrody,rf IF thu Missouri Va LEV IN the cen.
sus year 1879, the last for which we have accurate
statistics, was 81, 116, S77 bushels of wheat and
414, S49, 526 bushels of corn. These crops at foul
and nine cents, respectively, gives a total sum OF
So, O74, 456, which river transportation would save
to the producers of the Missouri Valley, on each
crop like hat Of 1879.
We have to consider, however, not alone the
benefits that may be secured, but the dangers
that may be averted. The high cost of transpor-
tation in this country. maintaining as 1t does the
high cost Of American grain in foreign markets,
and the reduced cost transportation from grain
producing countries in Asia incident to the open
Ing of the Suez canal, reducing as 1t does the cost
Of grain from those countries delivered In the
same markets, has so stimulated their product
they threaten soon to drive American grain
from all markets accessible to both, and so re-
luce the profit of its production in the Missouri
Valley az to depress our agricultural industries
md compel the adoption Of other products. The
between Ameri can grain and that of
,ther countries for primacy in the worlds mar
Iets is now reduced to a matter of transportation.
The advantages are now against us, but the I'M
movement of our water ways will turn this
permanently in our favor. These facts now pre-
ent a dangerous and threatening situation, and
he improvement of our river, as a means OF
cheaper transportation for our grain
han railroads can ever afford, is demanded, not
merely as a means for securing great benefits, but
as a means of averting great disasters.
nd it is in the interest of securing benefits I
nd ayerting disasters that this appeal to you is
lade. |
The practicability of the improvement of our
is no longer a matter of doubt. The sue
ess of the jetties and other improvements on the
Mississippi river is we'll and generally known. Ex-
on the Missouri river, both by private
nd corporate enterprise and by government ap-
has demonstrated that this stream
lso can be easily and cheaply improved.
Alter careful survey and adequate study Of the
iver, Major Charles R. suter, then engineer of
le United States army and member of the Mis-
River Commission, now president of the
[issouri River Commission, reported to Congress
1 1881 that an expenditure of $4,000 per mile
.ould secure a permanent channel Of twelve feet
epth at low water and OF suficient width for
imposes of navigation. This sum does not ex-
ecd half the cost Of a single track railroad, and
ill present transportation facilities equal to all
re railroads in the valley combined.
With such advantages to gain and such threat
ned disasters to avert at so small a cost, this
believes hat every resident of the
[issOuri Valley should cordially unite in efforts
!, secure the improvement of our river. A uni
ID sentiment among the people will secure a
nited effort by our Senators and representatives
1 Congress, and a united effort on their part
) has been demonstrated in other matters, will
,cure success in obtaining all reasonable ap-
ropriations, and the early completion of this
reat and beneficent work.
To further the object aimed at his
convention has been called. Senators,
of States and Territories, and
ther distinguished citizens will be invited
0 attend. In order that the Convention
be a large and representative one, the
basis of representation has been
greed upon: Commercial bodies OF 500
or less, ten delegates; commercial
odies, each additional 500 members or less,
We delegates; cities, towns, townships and
ounties having no commercial organiza-
for 5000 population or less, five del
yates, for each additional 5000 popula-
on, two delegates. The call is signed,
n behalf OF Montana, by T. c. Power, OF