The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1909-07-22
RAILROADS MUST
aid WATERWAYS
COMMISSIONER SMITH REPORTS TC
PRESIDENT TAFT THAT CO.
OPERATION is ESSENTIAL.
TRAFFIC ON LAKES Is BULK.
But River and Canal Traffic Continually
Decrease and Their Facilities
Are Wasted
DECREASE ON MISSISSIPPI RIVER.

WASHINGTON. ID. c.. July 10
Cooperation between railways and wat
erways seems absolutely necessary To
insure a reasonable and efficient use of
the inland water-courses of this country.
This conclusion is reached in the re-
port of Herbert Knox Smith, commits
sioner of corporations, in his discussion
of transportation by water. The sec
ond part of the report was transmitted
to President Taft today.
1t is pointed out by Commissioner
Smith that 1T is a public evil that the
entire transportation system of the
United States should be, as now, at odds
with itself through destructive compe-
tition. while the transportation needs Of
the public suffer-
Need Traffic Demand.
Traffic in itself" the report contin-
ues. is Il necessity for the proper devel-
opment of Il waterway. State and fed
cral work must be supplemented by prl-
vate initiative, especially III terminals
and equipment and private initiative
will come in only when there is rea-
sonable chance of enough traliic to make
it profitable One of the great ques
tons. therefore, is the question OF how
to secure for the inland rivers and canals
a reasonable share of the countrys trat-
hc"
In the body of the report, Commission
cr Smith points out the predomluance oil
bulk traffic by water. and the reasons
therefor. Then he outlines the prac-
teal results to be obtained from thor
ough system Of waterways. The entire
transportation system of the country Is
divided into three great classes: Kan.
deep water, rl|ers and canals.
Increase in Rail Traffic.
An enormous increase has been shown
in the rail traffic There also has been
an increase in the coastwise traffic. On
the other hand the river and canal traffic
shows marked decrease. Discussing
this situation Commissioner Smith. III
his report, says:
The great mass of the coast ana
Great Lakes traffic is bulk. The enor-
nous development OF the Great Lakes
business is largely due to the vast ore
and grain trace moving eastward ana
the coal trade moving westward. Abou'
Io.uOO,UW IONS of ore were trans
ported in 1907 eastward, and about
lTUUU,0OO tons of coal were move"
westward in 1906. These great freightS'
being all bulk and of uniform character,
received and delivered at Il few central
lbEtS, nave llttu''i lhtiS q 49,
~ organized system of transportation
and terminals. and consequent loN>
transportation cost.
The river and canal system, on the
other hand. has been losing steadily
The New York canals and the MiSslS
sippi river system Illustrate tins. |
to 1896 the traffic on the New lora
canals was more than twice that Of the
railroads crossing New York state. II
is now less than three per cent. OF thai
total The situation on the Mississippi
is illustrated in the traffic history OF
st. Louis. River shipments there II
1890 We're over 100000 tons; III l9oG
$4,000. Rail Shipments on the Other
hand, increased from 100000 tons IL
1880 to 100000 tons in 1906.