The Vinita daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1913, 1909-12-08

gan TO show considerable develop
ment and the waterways seemed to
lose some OF their Importance But
eventually the condition turned and
ii the seventh decade Of the last cen
tury, the railways in spite Of their
advantage were unable to meet all the
demands upon them. especially for
lowering their tariffs for the transport
alton Of goods carried ia great masses,
and the interest for water communica-
tion was revived
About that time. 1875. the total
length OF the navigable waterways Of
i the empire was estimated at little
more than 10000 lrilometers, or In
round figures about 5000 miles. Then
during the years from 1876 and 1900
the greater part Of the waterways
were reorganized and the German
rivers were systematically improved.
The greatest streams were so much
deepened by correcting the mean and
water levels that at mean water capa-
cious ships were allowed safe passage
and that even at low water, navlga-
tion was still profitable All improve
ments aimed at creating waterways
which would assure the passage east
OF Berlin of vessels of 400 tons capac-
ity and west Of Berlin Of vessels Of at
least 600 tons, though not at low wa
ter times. Where suitable correc-
tion was not possible, the rivers
were converted into use as canals and
provided with locks Of large dimen-
sions. Those canals then in use were
replaced by more efficient ones and
several new canals were built where
there had been none.
~The length Of German inland water
ways during the last 25 years has
only been about 800 kilometers 400
niles" F" said Count Won Bernstorff,
"but the Improvement has not been
in length but in efficiency. OF the
total 10000 kilometers which are Of
actual Importance for inland nayiga-
ton, the length has remained nearly
unchanged"
The count then proceeded TO tell Of
the capacity Of the waterways. While
ships of more than 1900 tons may
travel upon the Rhine. the Eberland
Canal of East Prussia can only bear
barges OF 80 tons
hi the work At correction Of the
greater streams. several general
schemes were settled. Stages and
parallel works narrowed the channel
and in consequence greater depth
OF water was obtained BY making
the banks firm. changes in the course
were made unnecessary. When
steamboats, began to use the water
ways it became necessary to protect
the banks by strong dykes OF stone
band cement The bridges are gener
| ally a fixed construction at such a
height thar they do not hinder the traf-
nc The bulk OF the traffic is conoen-
trated in a great number Of harbors
especially built partly BY the state
corporation or private concerns.
1T is interesting to point to the
fact" declared the count, that the
number Of vessels for inland naviga
ton exceeded the sea-going German
vessels six fold and that their net ton
mage is one and one-half times
greater and amounts to one-third Of
the net tonnage of all the British sea-
going ships registered by Lloyds in
1902.
Comparing the effect of the devel-
opment Of the inland waterways on
the trafhc Of the railways the count
said Notwithstanding the constant in
crease OF the railways. the short wa
terways have had traffic equal to
nearly one-third OF the aggregate Of
that OF the railways. The transport
by water being cheaper than by rail.
the further improvement OF German
inland waterways promises to be use
ful 10 the German industrial life.
when one considers that the rail-
ways. in spite OF the active inland
navigation have attained a favorable
development and that they are the
most profitable In Prussia where in
land navigation is best developed. it
is evident that harmonious co-opera-
ton OF waterways and railways is also
profitable TO the latter