The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-06-19
.MILLERS BELIEVE
In RIVER FREIGHT
Continued From First Page.

into eastern, east central or southern
territory, where river lines might com
pete, while for the export business tneir
carriage would be to New Orleans for
transatlantic loading. The feature
Of the day in United States transpor-
@tation is the shifting Of trade routes for
produce seeking an outlet to Europe
from the interior. The growth of
New Orleans in export business has
been phenomenal. Last winter an
Omaha-I Illinois Central rate took almost
100000 bushels OF oats out of Mime.
apolis, for export to Europe, thru New
at times when lake navigation is closed
can take business away from the Allan.
tic seaboard the ability of river route
to secure business against the eastern
lake and rail routes in the summer sea
son would seem clear. " 6
Question Of Loading. q
The local problem would resolve IT.
self into the matter of getting the
freight on the boats. No steamers
could come up. to the mills. The dis.
would be considerable. The river bank
is also high. With reference to ordi-
nary mixed tonnage this would be no
handicap, for in Memphis, which has a
thriving river trade and is on bluff,
one may see drays used to advantage in
hauling freight to and from the. steam
er landings. The milling industry could
never stand carriage, nor could loaded
| cars be switched from the mills to the
landing, for in the industry every ele-
ment of expense has been analysed and
of progress, and the loading item Is i'm.
portant. The erection, Of long chutes
would involve no great expense, and
gravity would favor such loading The
views OF no less a conservative than
former Senator Washburn. who knows
the milling trade from end to end, and
is a believer in the future Of river navi-
CATION, are in favor Of chutes. Barges
especially constructed for flour tonnage
might be employed. - q,E..> -
From Boat Standpoint. :.
!. The Diamond 10 line now runs steam
crs to St. Paul and will be able to come
up to Minneapolis when the new dams
are completed. Several difficulties pre-
sent themselves Officers of the Dia
mond 10 line are inclined to think Il
would be difficult for them to handle
the business, and that the short season
would be an argument against interest
ing new capital. In speaking Of tn,
matter some time ago, J. P. Lusk, gener
4 al freight agent Of. the Diamond 10 linz
whether the physical conditions ar,
practicable for steamers of the size an,
kind that we operate, to run thru to Min
neaspol1s. If stage Of water, current AM
bridges were such that our steamer
could run thru to- Minneapolis, w
would be glad to do SO, providing Their
was business. to, and from there. to wal
rant it. Our boats are about fifty fee
i high to the, top of the chimneys, but low
: erinag the chimneYs partially, the boat
" could get Under bridges not less tina
7 forty-one o.: forty-;two feet high, bu
even admitting that our steamers coul
get thru to Minneapolis, as we'll as t
st. Paul, the usual stage of water woul
not permit of any heavy tonnage bein
moved from ST. Paul by water on til
4 Mississippi river under present cond
;: tions, or until the upper Mississippi. ri,
| er was made so that there would be
better navigable stage of water durin
the usual season of navigation
"Our steamers were built for an
especially adapted for The traffic of til
: upper river; at the same time, there
hardly year but that there is at leas
; are unable to~carry much freight, an
sometimes none at all, on account Of tt
stage Of the water. Part of almo
! [every season, we are able to carry Ii
tie, if any freight, and have to keep OF
!, boats perfectly light, and carry passe
l gers ". ~,
-. !, rule, there is generally goo
stage Of water in the upper Mississip
I in the early spring months, and heay
: tonnage could. be moved for the sho
a time, but capital will not become int
: ested to build boats or barges to opera
= only two, or possibly three months
: the early spring, and before capital w
!. become interested for this purpose, Il
spring river will have to be improve
= 50 that there will be navigable stag
Of at least not less than six feet in 10
Water.' 49,. -.