The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1889-09-13
WESTERN STEAM3OaTIN6.
The Prospects f,r IL Revival Far from
nisVouraEiug.

The Prospects f,r n. Revival Far from
DiscouraEing.
IL il perfectly true that tho Wcstcrl
steamboat interest has boon seriously
impaired by competition with the rail-
roads. and that the number OF fast
boats has greatly decreased For tho
position OF steamboat property IN the
past was peculiar. Largo numbers OF
the boats were owned by the captains
or their families. and in case OF hard
times or "a cut-ruto war with the rail-
roads the boats could De seized for debt
and the traffic stopped Tho compct-
ing railroad, ON the other hand, might
bo equally In dobt. but In the hands OF
IA receiver it won't ON doing business
while the poor boat-owuer was tied up
with his boat
This is the common aud the darker
view taken OF the steamboat interest
on our great rivers. To Offset this Is
the fact that the larger rivers are now
we'll lighted, and moro lights are added
every year The millions spent on tho
rivers have wonderfully improved nav
igation, and there arc fcwcr wrecks
than ever before. The slaclS-water
navigation, rs ON the Kunawha and tho
Monongahela, has greatly extended
the season in which boats can run, and
has extended the earning time OF every
boat on these waters. Tho ownership
of the boats has also changed. and In
place OF single tramp steamers thoro
arc now regular incorporated com
panios owning largo fleets OF boats and
having abundant capital. These COM
panios are enabled TO furnish bettcr.
cheaper and moro regular service,
with less danger OF ruiuous COM
petition with the railroad. For
merly the steamboat service was
eNtrayagant aud costly in man
agement, whilc rates were high aud
profits large. The companies now
conduct their business with moro econ
omy, and seek 90 attract business by
regular departures aud arrivals, moro
comfortable boats. and bettcr table and
state-room service, The lines now
more nearly approach the Eastern
lines, both in equipment and manage
mcnt, and while tho old racing cap
tains who throw their freight into tho
furnaces rather than be beaten by
rival boat, are passing away, the new
men are real captains Of safe and COM
Portable boats. Tho romantic days
have gone from the rivcrs forever, but
the travel Is safer aud IN wny moro
civilized. Tho last OF the famous rae
ing machines, the Natchcz, was wreck
ed only "A few months ago. Tho COM
petition with the railroads has do
mandcd n wholly different class OF
boats, and the tourists will compel
better passenger service on the lines
In the future.
In the opinion Of those competent 20
speak on the matter. the prospects for
the passenger traffic on the rivers is
far from discouraging. Once all tho
world had 20 20 by boat or stay at
home. Now the larger number talSo
the cars, aud iu order 10 retain any
traffic at all tho boat lines must Offer
superior inducements In the way OF
pricc, comfort aud attendance This
they seemed prepared to do;
aud 10 f. safe 10 say that
the time viii come whom many Of tho
river routes Of the Wcst will be as pop
ular as the Hudson river or Long ISL
and Sound. and trip on those great
waterways will BE- regarded as quite
rs important to "A right understanding
OF the country ~ q day on the North
river Century.