The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-12-16

freight to the Port of Mobile, and up &ne Alabama River as well as other streams emptying into the Mobile River would necessarily be greatly reduced into all this territory, both on inbound and outbound traffic and 1t would also greatly facilitate the securing of readjustment of rates throughout this entire State. When this route Is properly opened up with steamers plying between New Orleans and Mobile, via Lake Ponchartrain and the canal, one can readily comprehend the advantage thus afforded to estabs fish boat lines between Montgomery and New Orleans, as we had before the Civil War.
 Tn years gone by there were packet lines of great importance operating upon the Mississippi River, affording enormous carrying capacity from the principal points of distribution along the Mississippi River and it's tribuy taries. enabling freight to be moved promptly and at nominal rates. The railroads havesgradually reduced their rates to New Orleans from points on the upper rivers, in order to- overcome and in fact. eliminate this river com- petition This. together with the de- terioration of our rivers, because of the small appropriations made by Congress for maintenance of our streams so as to justify a successful continuance of river transportation. has caused the abandonment of this mode of transportation to 6 great degree.
 The Shortage of Cars.
 This stirling of river transportation Is one of the great causes today for the shortage of cars on the part of the railroads. The elimination of this river traffic, together with the natural Increase fin production in all lines has caused demand for transportation facilities which it is beyond the power or ability of the railroad lines to furn- ish. If the large transportation lines by river were now in operation, 1t would relieve the car supply situation svery materially. and there would not be that scarcety which Is now so dis tressingly noticeable in all sections of the country and the consequential de- lay in transportation of freight.
 Take the Ohio river from Cincinnati,. and in fact the many tributaries pene- trating the mineral districts of Penn syIvania, Ohio and Virginia. The enor- nous AgzEnAge originating in that sec ton destined to points in the South and for foreign trade through South ern ports, should be transported by water to New Orleans. This would in a large measure relieve the conditions with which we are now confronted. The railroads have not been able to supply even for this traffic sufficient equipment to meet the demshds, much less the demands caused by increased production. If 1t is impossible to sup ply the demand now with the condl- tions prevailing. what enormous losses will be entailed by the manufacturers and producers in the near future on account of this delay in transportation and shortage of cars?
 Thus 1t will be seen that there Is an absolute necessity for Governmental improvement of our waterways, SO that river transportation may again assert itself and become the potent factor it once was in the transportation of freight. This is simply one of the many illustrations of the necessity for ample appropriations by the Government. whereby the entire country wouldNreap enormous benefits. Therefore the peo~ pie at large should use every effort to induce Congress to make larger and more adequate appropriations This movement is becoming general throughout the country. and there Is no doubt but what the Government will very soon realize that these de- mands must be compiled with.
 Movement in Alabama.
 In our own State some two years ago there was held an Alabama River Convention. The attendance was large and enthusiastic. It demonstrated the amount of interest which was felt in the development of our waterways 4 delegation or Committee was appoint ed and instructed to go to Washington and present before the National Rivers and Harbors Committee, the claims we had for due consideration of the Ala bama River in the National appropria- ton. It was found the Chief of En- gineers had only recommended for the Alabama River the sum of $25,000.00. to be Applied for continuing opera tions." By virtue of the Committee's work, and the Hearty cooperation of all our Representatives and Senator's we secured an appropriation of $1OO,- 900, whereas only s25,000 had been recommended; something hitherto un- hear of
 The committee are following up the duties devolving upon them. and Col. A.AWiley has introduced a bill in Con- Rress appropriating s500,0OO on the continuing contract plan for further improvement of the Alabama River We see from the report recently sub mitted by the Chief of Engineers, that in harmony with the pending bill, he has recommended an appropriation of S10O, 600 for the ensuing year. Of course