Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-03-03

| TO request the OtCumWa commercial
association to call meeting Of OF
tumwa shippers with view to inter
esting them in the proposition. The
motion was unanimously carried, and
another step forward was taken in the
naturalization of navigation on the
Des Moines. Capt Wallace's PROPOSE
ton, which is to the effect that he
will put fleet of boats on the river
and operate them between Ottumwa
and Keokuk Immediately after com.
pany is formed by himself and ship
pers, was first introduced to the con-
yention by A. C. Miller. The Des
Moines booster introduced his subject
by saying that the thing that retarded
the work on the Des Moines river was
the fact that the boats which operated
some years ago were taken off and the
advantages of the stream were there
fore not utilized. He favored the put
| ting back of the boats at once and
urged the cooperation of the Ottum-
wa shippers with Capt. Wallace. 1T
will establich the fact that the river
is navsable," said Mr.. Miller. 1T Des
Moines had such proposition present
ed to it, we would gobble it up at
once"
Captain Thomas Explains.
Capt E. II. Thomas was called upon
and explained in detail the style Of
boats that Capt. Wallace agrees to
operate. He showed that the bridges
across the stream would present no
obstacle, for everything above board
on boats could be lowered when pass
ing under structures. He discourag-
ed the exaggerated idea that it took a
great depth Of water to permit navi-
opinion were the kind that would have
tcld Noah that there was not enough
water to float the ark. Capt: Thomas
Informed the shippers that they would
not have to bother about the naviga-
ton of the stream as Capt. Wallace
looked after that part Of the bargain,
and he urged that the shippers inves-
tigate the proposition and subscribe
the REQUIRED $4,000 worth Of stock.
Capt Wallace offers to sell the mi
agara." a steamer. and two barges,
"Joe' and Sunshine for $4,000, one
half cash and one-half stock in COM
pany to be organized. Capt. Thomas
explained that the operation of these
boats on the Des Moines river from
CttumWa to Keokuk would provide
local shippers with through route to
Chicago and points north and south on
the Mississippi.
To Take Action.
Pursuant to the motion of President
Harper of the Commercial association,
the directors at their luncheon next
Tuesday will plan upon calling a meet
ing of all Ottumwa shippers with the
end in view of closing a deal with
Capt. wallace Mr.. Harper, addressing
the delegates from points south Of Of
tumwa on the river, urged them to
take up the Wallace proposition, and
suggested that several towns take
81 900 worth Of stock and the Ottumwa
shippers the other $4,000 worth.
Keller Runs Steamboat.
Another demonstration of the navi-
sability of the Des Moines today was
given when Capt. w. S. Keller Of Ed
dyville addressed the conv-.ntion. Capt.
Keller owns the Getty of Eddyville," q
large steamer, and operates it at Ed.
dvvlle in connection with his sand
nits He explained the size of the boat
and the barges he uses. and gave H.
Illustrations Of what the boats were ca
pable of doing on the Des Moines
river. Further emphasizing the fact
that the river is navigable, Capt. Kel-
Ter stated that there was only a short
time in each year that he did not load
to capacity.
He referred at some length to water
rates and rail rates and showed the
great difference between the freight
rate to towns where there is no wat
er trarsportion and to those situated
on navigable streams. 1T is not Des
NToines valley benefit alone said
Capt. Keller, 'but the improvement
and navigation of the Des Moines for
large boats will directly benefit every
CITY in Iowa, for it will have a notice
able effect upon freight rates in every
community"
Capt Keller concluded by telling Of
the amount of sand he hauls each year
with his boats. and that he is now fit
ting ND the largest one with direct
action wheels so that 1t would be ca
uable Of more speed and capacity.
The Keller boat and barge are about
100 feet long. and they are called upon
to outrun a five mile current In turn
ing and this is done with little diff
Guilty.
travelling Man Succumbs.
Marshalltown, March 1-(SpeciaD-
two n CO