The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-03-19
RIVERS INSPECTED
RAILROAD CONTEMPORARIES TAKE
 STEAMBOAT TRIP.
Chairman Hendersen and Secretary Kennedy Toured AIsbsma anA Tombfgbee Rivers. VIII
 Report on Conditions.

Chairman Charles Henderson ana Secretary S. P. Kennedy. of the Ala bama Railroad Commission. returned yesterday from over wsk's absence on the Aiabsma and Tombigbes rivers whose trafic ana landings were in spscted with view of intsliigsntiy passing on the application of steamboat owners of those streams for an in- crease in the freight tariffs recently filed with the Commission.
 According to an act of the last Leg islature. the State Railroad Commission. was given jurisdictien over- the steam boat trafic of the waterways in Ala banaa. At a recent meeting of the body in February, the managers of the steamboat lines plying the Alabama and Tomblgbee rivers filed their tariffs which they asked to so into effect for the current year.
 As the regulation of rates for river traffic was a novel proposition to the members of the Commission. it was de- termined to make an inspection of con- dftions generally that obtain on the two main rivers in this section of the State.
 Secretary Kennedy said yesterday that Chairman Henderson and he had found plenty of tranic possibilities along the waterways which they trav- eisd. They went first from Montsonl- cry to Selma and from the latter city down the river to the junction of the Alabama and Bigbee rivers. There they transferred to boat running on the Bigbee which carried them by all the landings and wharves up to the city of Demopolis. The river inspec- ton ended at Demcpolis where the Chairman and Secretary of the Com mission caught the train for Selma Tuesday. From Selma they came to Montgomery yesterday morning.
 we found that there is good vol tune of freight trafic on these rivers" said Secretary Kennedy yesterday. ''of course. the methods for handling the freight at the points of landing are primitive. There Is great room for inn provement on this score. Still, there is not to be found any complaint about the freight not being delivered in good shape. The wharves are dilapidated in many instances. The wharves even at such central points as Selma and Demopolis can be improved to great advantage to despatch the handling of Greight. both loading and unloading.
 ''It is true that we heard all along the route we travelled some complaint at any effort on the part of the boat managers to raise rates. The appli-l cation filed with the Commission calls
 
 rates. The Commission expects to have the observations and notes made on this trip laid before the members be- fore or at their next monthly meeting and some equitable conclusion win be reached. as nearly as possible regard ing q proper tariff to apply There are many things to be considered in malx- ing rates for river business
 Mir Kennedy intimated that one of the aims of the Commission will be to encourage the steamboat men to re- gard the necessity of maintaining reg ular schedules for both passenger and freight traiac on the rivers He re- being maintained at present Yet the boats have a custom of making trips up and down the rivers merely on re- ports of existing or prospective busi- ness at certain landings
 It is the especial desire of the Com mission to put the river transportation on more Lucrative and prosperous been in sight for the rivers may be de- velopeds It is certain that farm prod uets raised in Alabama are hauled to Mississippi to the markets when this State ought to get the benehta eg handling them
 One big farmer and merchant who recently visited DeFnopolis, for instance made the appalling statement that Col umbus, Miss, is actually receiving something in the neighborhood of 1oO,- 900 bales of cotton annually and could easily be assembled at Demopoiis if the most enterprising efforts were put forth to encourage movement towards that point
 Director John A Fox. of the National Rivers and Harbor Congress. is ex- pected in Montgomery tomorrow on his educational campaign in behalf of deepening harbors and improving tn- land waterways. His address will be awaited with interest just as 1t has been listened to with enthusiasm at