The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-05-01
DUE TO RAILROADS
Disappearance of Steamboat
Traffic From the Mississippi
Is Discussed i'll a Report of the
Waterways Commission.
CANALS ARE AFFECTED
Mileage Of 2,444 26, Costing
$S1,171,374, Is Lost.
Goods Carried by Rail at Rate
Below Cost.


ment on the lower Mississippi river,
once so tremendous, has so materially
declined in recent years, that the su-
premacy once enjoyed by that great
stream has been transferred to the
Ohio river and that. therefore, Pitts
burg rather than either ST. Louis or
New Orleans, is today the most impor-
tant river point in America.
Those and other interesting facts are
cleaned from the Appendix" to the
preliminary report of the inland water
ways commission. The report itself
was made public recently, but the
Appendix" which has just come off
the government printing office presses,
was made public today. The greater
portion of the data contained in 1t was
prepared under the direction of Her
bert Knox Smith, commissioner Of the
bureau of corporations.
1t is shown that the lower Mississippi
Which always has been recognized as
of greater commercial Importance than
the upper part. still retains this rela-
tive Importance Among the important
factors in the decline of traffic on the
lower Mississippi may be mentioned
that formerly large quantities Of wheat,
corn, and oats were sent down the
river from St Louis and other points
to New Orleans. but the building of
railroads through Nebraska, Kansas.
and Oklahoma to the Gulf, together
with the lack of attention river i'm
provements. has operated against the
shipment of grain down the Mississippi.
Fewer Steamboats,.
This has resulted in the gradual dis
appearance in the last fifteen years of
many finely equipped steamboats, on
the lower Mississippi as a result of
sharp railroad competition and other
causes.
Another important cause for this de-
cline in the traffic movement on that
great stream has been the introduction
or the cotton compress resulting in the
overturning of the old system of hand
ling cotton by river. Formerly the
only cotton congresses were located at
important centers. such as Memphis,
Vicksburg and New Orleans, but now
any town of slight Importance has it's
own compress which has excellent IA
cilities for receiving and shipping bales
of cotton by rail.
The report declares that the develop
nlent of river traffic is hindered In
many ways by the railroads which at
some important points on the Ohio
river have gained control of much of
the land available for terminal facili-
ties. One of the serious difficulties for
lines operating on the Ohio and its
tributaries is the matter of excessive
wharfage charges. The packet lines
charge that Ii is a common practice
LOT little IOWIlS diODR Ine river TO levy
charges which in some instances run
from one-fourth to one-third of the net
profits of the boats. Boat lines, as a
rule. make lower rates than those of
rail carriers. The loss of pro-rating ar
rangements with the railroads added
difficulty for the river lines. for instead
of being able to quote through rates.
the packet lines must now quote their
own rate to the point where they con-
nect with the railroad ard then add the
local tariff rate of the railroad from
that point to destination. This loss of
pro-rating arrangements has seriously
affected the packet lines and has prac-
tically ruined the traffic in horse-shoes,
cotton ties bar iron, wire nails, staples,
etc. in shipments to the south and
west where formerly the river freight
was heavy.
significant feature of the report is
that dealing with railroad control of
river traffic and private canals" A
number OF packet lines engaged in busi-
ness on the Mississippi and its tributar-
les are mentioned as showing "truces
of railroad influences" Several private
canals are also mentioned as being
dominated by railroad influences
In this connection the report striking
lv shows the extent to which state and
private canals have been abandoned
the total mileage abandoned to date be-
ing 2.444.26 miles. representing a cost
approximated al at SS1, 1854. Among the
more important causes for this whole
sale abandonment of canals are the in
ability of some canals to compete with
modern railroads and the mismanage-
ment of other canals. together with a.
popular impression that such systems
OF public works have done more harm
than good, and, finally. a belief that
the chief means of Internal conmuni-
cation was not to be water but rail.
In discussing the relation of water
transportation to railroads rates, the
report says: 1T has been claimed that
water transportation is a safeguard
against exorbitant charges by railroads
through large sections of the country
IL is undoubtedly true, at any rate that
water competition is a potent cause OF
local discrimination in railroad rates. "
Water Competition.
1t is pointed out that the Importance
o. water competition depends very
largely upon whether it is by canal.
river, lake, or ocean. 1t appears to
vary with the physical characteristics
of the navigable waterways employed
and the number and size of the vessels
which can beused thereon.
The Importance of canals as resula-
tors Of freight rates.it is shown,is much
less than formerly. Relative to rivers
road charges varies with the length OF
the navigable route. and also with the
depth, wharfage facilities. etc. The
mississippi is paralleled on both sides
by railroads operating long trains over
easy grades at the least possible cost
River steamers can still underbid tbe
railroads to some extent on local ira =
hc. but they are at disadvantage i,
loading or terminal expenses, and in
stirance or risk. as well as on acco,,,+ :
of the rise and fall in the river. n is
claimed that the railroads take trafic
al unduly low rates along the river ana
a. competitive points generally. and re-
coup themselves by high charges at