The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1907-04-11
importance Of Proposed Restora-
tion Of River Traffic.
FLEET FOR THE MISSOURI.
Great Interest In First Trip Between
o. LoGis and Kansas city-Pictur.
esaue Period HecalIsd-Revival is
Chiefly For Freight.

not Ill on land. Thousands made much
Of the westward Journey on the double
dccked stern wheelers that noisily pad
dled their way up and down the Mis-
souri, and other interior rivers. Valua-
bio cargoes of furs and buffalo robes
were carried on these boats, and the
traffic was q strong rival to early rail-
way lines.
OF late years the steamboats, have
bsen abandoned except on the Ohio
and Mississippi, where one may yet
end 4 touch OF the old time pleasures
and the favor Of eighteenth century
romance In tho troublous passage of
the little fleets, says the Independent.
hut as q factor on the other streams
- far as freight is concerned the pres
tige Of the boat lines has vanished.
Where over fifty packets ran regularly
between st. Louis and Sioux City not
one remains. It seems to have been
accepted without argument that the
railroads were all sufficient for any
trafnc that might be needed.
OF late the political economists Of tho
west have been studying the railway
rate problem and have noted the vast
expenditures In the east for canal con-
struction and river improvement to tho
end that there might be secured rival
fnr the railroads that would compel a
IOwer rate than would be charged II no
competition existed.
Il has dawned on them that the
western rivers furnish the basis for a
remedy, and they have begun In a
practical way to bring about the old
river traffic, once SO important
A few weeks ago the first steamboat
IN years made It's way from st. Louis
70 Kansas City. It was received at
every landing by crowds, and when 1t
arrived at its destination speeches of
welcome and cheers Of thousands were
1ts greeting. It was hailed as the be-
ginning Of new era--or the return of
m old regime. Plans are being pushed
y completion that look to the estab-
nshment OF a feet Of these steamers
for the run between the two cities.
Other lines 10 the farther northwest,
with larger fleets to the gulf, are In
prospect. Ship canals are planned, one
IA particular to connect tho Mississippi
and the great lakes, all Of which means
I new method Of regulating freight
rates for the vast output Of the VESTS
granary.
The west is not particularly anxious
10 see steamer smoke. It promotes
steamer lines for the same reason that
New York voted for deepening the Erie
canai-to bring about water competi-
ton. The saving Of few cents per
hundred pounds on the grain and beef
sent out Of the middle west means
trips to Europe and automobiles for
producers II the steamboat can bring
this about II Is exactly the thing for
which they are searching.
lt b 4 curious fact that despite the
immense sums spent by the federal
government on the improvement OF our
rivers the past two decades have been
4 period OF absolute and relative de-
cline In river shipping. A quarter GEN.
tury ago there were on the western
rivers vessels having an aggregate ton
mage OF 304.O46. Last year the CORE
spending figures were 174,310. less
than half. The decline was steady dur
ing the period except for slight rally
IN the early nineties. The average ton
mage last year was only seventy, and
but two vessels OF over 1000 were reg
istered as built on the western rivers
10 such decline has come the once I'm
portant feature Of the nations internal
transportation.
It Il doubtful II ever again shall we
go the old time passenger trade that
was 90 great feature Of travel In the
stxties. The floating palaces, with
their social delights, were pictured In
novel and rhyme. The races when ne
gro boys were supposed to be used for
weights on the safety valves and when
disaster usually closed the contest fur
nished the motif for many tale.
Charles Dickens found In such trip
rnany diseomfortA to be sure. but 9th
Err did not
Ono may today enjoy q delightful
ride up the Mississippi from st. Louis
On the freight and passenger steamers,
stopping at the busy towns and float
TING through the beautiful country be-
tween. Or be may sail away down
through 1the land Of cotton to New
Orleans. securing . rest and a varying
panorama Of beauty that will do his
soul good.
But these are not what the new idea
n western transportation means. 1t is
I very utilitarian theory that animates
ths movement for boat lines. It Is pre-
sumed to return large financial divi
denda Al the waterways were evi-
dentiy meant 10 be used, It Is hoped
that tho revival Of old steamboating
dny0 VIII b satisfactory and proflta
bla II win add variety and pictur-
ssqueness 70 our internal Shipping in
teEests.
| Hts Own Funeral Preacher.
An Illinois preacher has arranged to
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