Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-11-23

could be ascertained, As feet. Du--
ing the past year, on account Of pre-
yailing high stages of the river, there
has been at no point less than seven
feet Except for about four weeks in
September) except at the Des Moines
rapids canal.
1.-The navigation interests are impor
tant, although much less than in for
mer years, owing to the gradual de-
crease of the handling of logs and
manufacture of lumber. The amount
of freight carried during the season nf
1908 was about 1851, 1857 tons, having
an approximate valuation of $33,295,-
531, the tonnage being about "a per
cent and the valuation 9 per cent less
than In 1907. The number of ton
miles was 227, 1856.
1.-The amount estimated as a prof1ta-
BILE expenditure is to be used in the
continuation of improvement work IN
accordance with the six-foot project
adopted by congress March 2, 1907, for
the purpose of extension Of benefits
of navigation. 1t Is the estimated ex-
penditure for one year only.
Comparison in Rates
IAN instance Of the effect of river
Improvement and water competition on
freight applying to that portion of the
Mississippi river in question, taken
from a report of the Upper Mississippi
River Improvement association, IS
here given: A comparison of freight
rates between points having water
competition and an inland point:
From ST. Louis to st. Paul, 573
miles (raiD five classifcations, 63,
521a, AZ, &c, 81.
From st. Louis to St. Paul, 729
miles Cboat) five cIassif1cations, 40,
81, 81, II, IA.
From st. Louis to Oklahoma, SAB
miles (raiD 40, LOG, 81, 81, CT.
while it is not claimed that river
improvements are solely responsible
for the great difference in freight
rates above shown, it is we'll known
that wherever water competition ex-
lists, whether by river, canal or lake,
it's effect on freight rates is always
beneficial to the public, and that so
long as the navigation Of the Missis-
sippi river is feasible, and largely IN
proportion to its feasibility, such ben
efits will accrue, even If but little river
commerce is actually carried on.
'Tt is noted that the rate charged
by the railroads on both banks of the
river on freight from st. Louis to st.
Paul is about so per cent greater than
that charged by steamboats,. and that
the railroad rate to an inland point
having no water competition, but at
about the same distance, is more than
200 per cent greater. The same ratio
prevails for less distance.
Say Water Interferes
General freight Agent Lusk, of
upper Mississippi, the Diamond 10,
says:
With the Improvement of the
river there would be a large increase
in the freight traffic, but frequently
during the past season by refusing
heavy freight shipments we could run
our steamboats, to st. Paul and take
care of the passenger traffic, but on
account of the low water our earnings
from freight were materially de
creased
lumbermen and raft boat owners it is
learned that the rate per ton mile ON
logs and lumber fioated down the
river to various points ran from one
half mill to IL mills, the average rate
being about L mill (SOOOI.
1.-The lowest rate by rail for lumber
in carload lots between upper Missis-
sippi river points, ascertained from
actual shipments by this office from
St. Paul to Fountain City. Rock Island
and Keokuk is 6 mills per ton mile.
river of 5 mills per ton mile, or 1882,
215 on the logs and lumber moved
during 1908.
Big Loss to Public Would Ensue
"a classification of the freight car
ried by steamboats, in 1908 was found
impracticable, but on the least favora-
BILE showing in above table the saving
was $0.07 per 100 pounds for COO
miles, or $0O0233 per ton mile, which
amounts in round numbers to S66,770.
1t is to be remembered that benefit
also accrues to the public in the re-
duction. due to the river. of rates TN
freight carried by rail, the amount of
which freight, although not definitely
known, is thought to be much greater
than that carried by boats. Were the
of the river to be aban-
doned and no further navigation prac-
ticable, the loss to the public during
each year, on the basis of the rates
to inland points, would be several mil
lions.
"The continued prosecution of the
to greater extent
than in recent years seems advisable,
in order that the condition of the river
for through navigation may be main
tanned and more rapidly improved.
1t is not anticipated that any further