Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-05-05
BILLS OF INTEREST TO WATERWAY
BOOSTERS NOW BEFORE CONGRESS

country and it's great resources has
been displayed upon all possible occa-
sions. Our own organization is to be
represented at this important gather
ing by President Thomas Wilkinson.
and We all know that the interests of
the people in the upper valley will be
most ably conserved by him upon that
occasion
New barge Line Proposed.
1t is reported a movement has been
started in st. Louis, under the aus
pices of the Merchants exchange of
that city, to establish a steel barge
line to operate between st. Louis and
New Orleans. The barges planned
are for 7h foot stage OF, water, which
allows 6 inches margin on the present
Is foot stage. 1t is estimated by the
projectors that four tow boats and
thirty steel barges, of new type to-
be built, can make from 10 to IL trips
a year, and carry approximately 20
100000 bushels of grain, at one-half
of the present rail rate. This move
ment is of considerable interest to all
shippers in the upper valley. Its sue
cessful development is to be hoped for.
Traffic on the Hennepin Canal.
| The first packet boat to operate on
the Hennepin canal made its initial
trip April 20. The name of the new
craft is the Bender, which can carry
100 passengers. 1t is proposed to OPP
crate it in connection with a larger
boat to make trips during the open
season. The effect of this Inaugural
ton of water craft into inland terri
tory not heretofore provided with
water transportation will he watched
with great interest by all.
Awakening of the People.
The growth of sentiment through
out the country relating to the develop
ment of our great rivers and water
highways. SO they can be restored to
the uses of commerce, is but the
awakening of the people to a realiza-
ton Of vast economic force provided
by nature, which they have neglected,
and from the use and conservation of
which they. have failed to derive ben
efits that are possible.
Now that the movement is thorough
ly inaugurated, with a better under.
!, standing by the people as to the eco.
nomic relations existing between the
movement of !. freight by water and
that of rail transportation, there is nc
doubt but in the near future ample
r provisions will be made by congress
for study of the scheme of general
: water development throughout the
country as a concrete proposition, with
financial support commensurate with
the ends to be attained.
, The people demand this, and the
! laws of trade and traffic, in competi
. ton with foreign countries, require Il
!. for the enlargement and upbuilding O
! our great natural resources, and tn,
6 extension of our commerce with al
v countries on the face of the globe.
Each member of this association, ii
n conjunction with all civic and com
merciai organizations in the uppe
}. valley, including the press, is request
s ed to keep before the public, upon al
:. proper occasions, the question of sup
It porting the movement to improve tn
!. tgreat Mississippi river from its sourc
;. to the gulf.
,. Constant agitation creates Interest
l. In this manner our own welfare vii
a be served. together with that of 9th
# ers who are ooncurrently affected b
d charges in transportation. though i
It towns not Immediately located -upo
Il navigable streams.
p. Respectfully,
d L. B BOSWELL, Secretary.