Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1907-12-20
ANOTHER
CAR FAMINE
THREATENED
THE ANSWER is EASY
OPENING OF THE RIVERS AND
DEVELOPMENT OF WATER
WAYS WILL ALONE FURNISH
RELIEF To UNBEATABLE
TRAFFIC. CONDITIONS.

4 WAYS WILL ALONE FURNISH |
II RELIEF TO UNBEATABLE |
TRAFFIC. CONDITIONS.
Washington, Dec. 24.-Is the coun-
TRY face TO face once more with a
car famine? Are the conditions that
tied up the northwest last winter to
rule again? This is a subject that is
worrying the administration. Frank.
lin X. Lane. member of the inter.
state commerce commission, recent
ly made n trip through the west and
middle west to look over the ground.
He returned with his apprehension
somewhat allayed. but recent re-
ports have served to renew his fears.
The report on the internal COM
merce of the country during October,
Just issued by the department OF
commerce and labor. throws a signia-
cant sldellght on the problem. The
report says;
"The number OF cars handled dur
ing che month by Ss reporting car
associations. S,5s5.IsO. was over
Z per cent larger than the number
handled In October, 1905, although
even the larger car supply did not
prevent accumulation and delay OF
F traffic at important centers. The In
ability OF the railways to move all
trafIlc offered Is best illustrated by
the decislon OF certain trunk lines 20
4 discontinue temporarily the making
n OF contracts with western shippers
for the transportation OF grain from
the lakes TO the Atlantic seaboard. "
4 During the month the congestion
was leai. selt along the Great Lakes,
where the trafhc, 11,S26,00O net
tons, was greater than any month
during the season, except August,
aud exceeded by 2s per cent the to-
II tai OF freight carried in October OF
: last year. with their fleets OF steam
: ers developing rapidly. the lakes ARE
being resorted to as n means for re
lievlng the pressure on the railroads
C. They are proving the salvation o.
the northwest.
The solution of the trafiic cues
De tlon, which is becoming a most serI
p Gus one. Is TO be found In sclen
ns tiho development OF the rivers OF Oh
~ country. This Is the opinion O
40 practically every public man. Presi
dent Roosevelt's belief In II Il we
al known. lie Is supported by student
10 OF economic conditions In every wall
W a. life
In order 10 push forward this worI
m OF Improvement. the government can
H. not spend less than SbO,OOO,O00
j. year. To spend less will mean tina
W the Panama canal will be finishe
j. before the rivers and harbors OF th
country are In condition to share q
10 the increase OF commerce that IA
ns opening OF the big ditch will brin
81 about. There Is now a vast amonn
ls OF work, approved by the govern
ment engineers aud awaiting onl
the funds necessary for It's under
,o taking. This work contemplates IN
- expenditure OF upwards OF $500,
= 600. 900. AZ yearly expenditure q
- $50. 100000 spread over ten year
). this can be cared for.
= The National Rivers and Harbor
-. congress has been a consistent adyC
cate OF such an expenditure. II ha
maintained that the time was ar
preaching. and approaching rapidly
. when the railroads will be physical
d ly unable 10 care for a tithe OF th
" trafie offered. At the organization
e' great convention here this month
ca James ]. Hill. Of the Great Northern
." and w. w. Finley. president OF IN
$ Southern Railway. frankly confesse
- that the fears OF the advocates
waterway development we're we
~ grounded.
b" CaptalE j. +. Ellison, secretary an
troasursr % the National Rivers an
~ Harbors congress, has returned
his headquarters In Cincinnati, aud
: planning for a vigorous crusade Il
'0 new members. The membership
NJ the organization extends 10 eye'
. state and territory in the Union. b
il is planned TO continue the can
@ paign until every believer In add'
nc means OF transportation for the eou
Try is enrolled.