The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1907-12-06

"N''haNNi'Nt iNN' " AhN "PPV"
ance on the same platform at the Nation.
al Rivers \ liarbcrs Congress this week
OF President Finley Of the Southern Rail
way. President James J, Hill of the
Great Northern Railroad, and Ambassa.
doris Jusscrand and Won Sternberg was
a notable affair, The railroad magnates
were pleading for action by the federal
government similar to the action taken
by France and Germany. They pointed
out the necessity for an intelligent de
yelcpmcnt OF waterway transportation
as means OF aiding = 9 railroads OF the
country and preventing costly and dan
gerous congestion Of traffic.
On the other hand. Ambassador Jus
serand dwelt upon the highly developed
rivers and canals OF his country and the
assistance they were 10 the railroads
and to every branch OF business Life.
Ambassador von Sternberg Drew the
same picture OF the great advantage to
German farmers and manufacturers the
rivers aud artificial waterways
OF his country had proved themselves TO
he. Such thing as congestion OF traffic
Is unknown on the German
railways. aud delivery OF important
goods in both countries Is accelerated
because the railways do not have to
burden their lines with long trains OF
heavy freight.
In an interview Mr. Hill. the Builder
OF the Northwest, "dwelt upon the urgent
necessity for some method OF transporta
tion that will relieve the railroads OF
the United States as the railroads OF
France and Germany are relieved. Bust
ness is outstripping in growth more ag'
gmyated. and unless something Is done
at once to remedy the situation. Mr.. Hill
believes prosperity will give way to pan
10 and hard times. instigated solely by
the cutting OF OF markets to the produc'
er by reason OF traffic congestion.
The railroad man declares that ths
products OF field. factory and mine are
increasing each year from 10 to Is per
cent. The transportation facilities nel
cessary to handle this increase are grow.
ing only 2 l-2 per cent each year. 1t
requires little figuring to ascertain that
within a brief time the railroads will
be so swamped that access to the mark
cts will practically be denied producer, |,
of foodstufrs. coal and ores, for the rail
roads will mpve higher class and conse
quently better paying freight in prefer
ence.
Again, taking Mr.. Hills conserya.
tive estimate of yearly increase OF pro
duction Of 10 per cent. II would be i'm
perative that in the next decade the rail
road mileage OF the country be doubled
to care for the increase. This is mani
testify impossible. The present great
railroad system OF the United States
took years on years to build and perfect,
and billions were expended! 1t must
be understood, too, that the present
lines were constructed during years OF
high freight and passenger rates and
with the aid OF government, state and
township subsidies. Now the railroads
are encompassed by conflicting state
laws, ruled by the Interstate Commerce
Commission. and are facing further dras.
tic federal legislation. Capital Is not go.
ing to be liberal under such circum.
stances, however necessary and salutary
they may be.
The logical solution Of the problem is
to be found in waterways development.
Consequently, the convention here this
week promises to mark an epoch in this
work. The government is aroused to the
necessity or it, and the American people
have spoken in no uncertain tones.