The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1907-10-07
DICK FOWLER BACK
FROM WATERWAY
CONVENTION TRIP
No Other Boat in Fleet Eclipsed
Fast Paducah Packet in Any
Way-The Fred Hartweg
Incident is Greatly Exagge-
rated.
MEMPHIS CHARGED WHARFAGE.

With flying colors and decorations
looking as fine and fresh as though
she was just leaving, rather than re-
turning, the Dick Fowler steamed in
to the home port this morning. after
perhaps the most eventful trip in her
history, and the very name of Fowler
has been linked with river traditions
! and romance for generations.
Having acquitted themselves with
credit that has excited admiration
from all the members of the fleet
(which made the trip down the Mis-
Isissippi, the recipient of the thanks
lof the president of the United States
land especially the members of the
party, which they entertained on the
voyage, the Fowler's crew from Cap
tain Coles to the humblest deckhand,
were bubling over with enthusiasm
when the good steamer had reached
home and was tied up at her regular
place at the wharf
The Fowler left Memphis Saturday
evening at O'Clock; but was delay
led considerably on account of the
heavy fogs and did not reach Padu-
cab until o'clock this morning.
AS an appreciation of the treat
ment that had been accorded them
Iby the officials of the Fowler. the
members of the Cairo Commercial
lclub and the three congressman and
Iother notables who made the trip
on the boat to Memphis, met In the
lcabin yesterday and after the Off
lcers and men of the boat had been
toasted and thanked for their hos
lpitality. elaborate resolutions were
Unanimously adopted thanking the
officers for their kind treatment dur
ing the trip.
Were Charged Wharfage.
| While the crew are so enthusiastic
over the successful voyage and the
treatment accorded them by the not
ables that accompanied them, the Off
cials of the Fowler. and those of the
other boats that made the trip, are
severe in their criticism of the Off
cials of Memphis IN charging the Wis
iting boats Wharfage while they were
in port there.
1t is pointed out that not one of
the boats, which carried delegations
to the waterways convention, which
was probably the biggest event
in the history of Memphis, made
any money. In fact, when the ex-
penses were footed up and the loss
by reason of being out of their reg
ular trade accounted for, 1t is be-
lieved that every boat in the fleet
will have lost money, and in view of
the fact that Memphis proiited ma
terially by the visit of the boats and
their passengers to the city. it is con-
sidered an act of objectionable in
gratitude that they should have
been forced to pay wharfage to the
lefty on such an occasion The mat
ter has reached the attention of the
ieditor of the Waterways Journal, and
many prominent river editors of diff
ferent newspapers, and the city of
Memphis will no doubt gain some un-
pleasant notoriety in connection
with the affair.
The Hartweg Incident.
In speaking of the steamer Fred
Hartweg incident which has gained
such notoriety in the newspapers on
account of misconduct, Captain Coles
says the matter has been much mag
nified Captain Coles said the report
that the Hartweg collided with the
presidents boat was a mistake, but
that she did crowd the Mississippi.
Mr.. Saunders Fowler talked with
the owners of the Hartweg returning
and they stood by their officers. and
told the inspector to do his worst,
but If he overstepped his authority
he would be impeached. Some OIL
cious officer, it is believed reported
the Hartweg's lapses to the presi-
dent
That big feet Travelled more than
Goo miles" said Mr. Fowler, "and it
is "a matter of congratulation that not
an accident of any kind occurred. It
shows the marvellous handling Of the
boats"
Reports from the fleet say that not
a boat eclipsed the Dick Fowler in
lany particular, and the fast Paducah
boat received many compliments on
appearance and movement
Before taking up her regular trips
again the Fowler will undergo ex-
ltensive repairs. The Dunbar which
is now making her regular trips will
probably give way TO the j. b. Rich
lardson when that boat is off the
docks.
The John S. Hopkins with the dell
legation OF Evansville business men
aboard reached Paducah just before
nom She Sfounad hpr.a IN foka an