The Washington herald., 1909-05-16
new ORLEANS OWNS
TERMINAL WHARVES
Mr. Ransdell Says This Is the
Wise Course.
HE PRAISES CRESCENT CITY
President of National Rivers and
Harbors Congress Discusses Ad-
vantages TO Commerce of NOndis-
eliminating Port FaciIities-SPeaks
of IniaaS System of Waterways.

New Orleans. May 15.-The ownership
and control of wharves and karbor fscil-
tiles was the subject discussed by Repre-
sentative Joseph E Ransdell. president
Of the National Rivers and HaTbors Con
gress. al the waterways banquet given
by the New Orleans Progressive Union.
in honor Of the officers Of the battle ship
Mississippi, last Wednesday night
Mr.. RaasdeH pointed out the value to
the general shipper Of facilities controlled
by the public in such way as 10 remove
all discrimination and favoritism, as
against facilities owned and controlled
BY private corporations. principally the
railroads. for the benefit Of specific inter
and used the newly acquired wharves,
river front. and belt railroad at New Or
leans 20 illustrate his point
Value TO Crescent City.
In part Mr RansdeH said: mo city
in the Union has more interest in the
Improvement CT waterways than New
Orleans. with its splendid hsr5or, eaps-
hle OF holding in safe anchorage all the
ships in the world. and It's location on
the Father OF Waters. which is the out
let Of 1900 miles Of navigable rivers
Being a seaport. il connects with al
the harbors OF our coasts. and is inter-
ested in them and the internal waters
which contribute &c their commerce. and
every river which empties into the Mis-
sissippi Is an artery which supplies rica
life blood 20 the heart Of the valley-New
Orleans And when connection Is made
between the Mississippi and Lake Mich
igan. through the project OF the Lakes
to-the-Gulf Deep Waterway Association
a glorious conception. which ] hope 10
see realized-the Crescent City VII be
toined 10 the Great Lakes. the rivers and
canals Of Canada. and the Erie Canal
OF the Empire State which carry 10 II
the largest internal water-bOrne COM
merce on earth
With all our harbors and rivers prop
erly improved. New Orleans viii receive
business by water craft from every part
Of the republic. hence It views this sub
Ject n its broadest aspect. and wishes
to help every worthy waterway project
IN the land.
New Orleans Specially Fortunate.
New Orleans Is especially fortunate
In having retained control OF most OF its
river front. instead OF transferring same
20 railroads, az has been done by nearly
all OF our great cities. II has a public
belt railroad. owned by the city. which
connects every railroad entering the city
with every wharf and dock on the river
front. and al ships in its port are served
BY fine steel warehouses Of the latest
design. which belong 10 the public and
give equal service 10 all comers. I con-
graduate the city on its wisdom IN this
respect. and hope this policy win never
change one OF the prominent men in
public life told ne recently that he con-
sidered The terminal facilities Of New
Orleans the best OF any city in the Union.
and 7 fully agree with him. Guard these
terminals as a precious jewel. and make
them Just as perfect as possible. for they
VIII be needed IN the great destiny that
Is coming 20 this city ere many years
During the steel and iron age of the
past century. transportation on our in
teTnal rivers has been much neglected,
and in mary instances the rivers are
scarcely used al all But a change Is in
sight The business world is beginning