The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1912-12-26
What is eHoped to Accomplish Through
Efforts Of Upper Mississippi River
Improvement Asso-
citation.
NEED OF BETTER DOCKS
Efforts to be Made to Secure Neces.
sary Legislation in Five Suites
fer the Building Of Much
Needed Wharves.

The Bulletin" OF the Upper Mis-
sissippi River Improvement associa-
ton has been received in Keokuk and
contains much of Interest. Particu-
lar emphasis is given the necessity
for better docks and wharves to
make the Mississippi river available
for freight traffic. The Bulletin says:
It would be great mistake to
claim tina: the mission of the Upper
Mississippi River Improvement assoc
citation is accomplished and there is
nothing left for 1t to do, merely be.
cause it has been successful in secur-
ing a continuous appropriation from
congress Of twenty million dollars, in
proportionate annual ms. ailments, to
permanently improve the upper Mis-
sissipp river.
Neither is it consistent, or wise, to
attempt to forestaH efforts OF this
association in the matter OF improve
'ment of transportation facilities
through neglect, or adverse criticism
by individuals or communities.
This association is at work for the
common good and advancement oil
all towns and cities in the upper val
ley. 1t represents no particular town
nor any specially localized scheme.
Only One Step.
The improvement of the river to
the extent Of restoring dependable
depth of six feet at low water in the
channel, is the first important ster
toward lis use in behalf of commerce
and the lowering of freight rates
Surely. all are to be benefited by this
The incentive to capital to invest
in up-to-date river craft attaches, fun
damentally, to three conditions prece
dent, namely: certainty OF adequate
{ depth of water, adequate terminal ant
transfer facilities at the prircipa
shipping points and the offerings O
/ sufficient freight tonnage to boats O
both through and local character.
/ The line OF our work, and the basis
/ for action lies in the direction OF re
storing he river to its common use
and attracting capital to the oppor
tGnities offered in the movement o
/ the immense tonnage within react
and at he command os up-to-dat'
methods CT transportation.
We must progress. 1t is not II
line with the attitude of our enterpris
ing people to sand still and assum,
the problems before US are solved O.
i will work out their own solution.
Need Wharfs.
Intimately connected with improv
ed waterways and lowering the cos
of transportation by river, is the sub
iect of improved landing places
wharfs, docks and the installation Q
machinery on the most improved char
acter for speedily and economicall
loading and unloading tugs, barge
and other vessels employed in trans
porsation.
It is our aim and purpose to lead i
thought and action in this field, a
applied to the necessities of shipper
in the upper valley.
Therefore, the proposition adoptei
at the Burlington convention is thor
oughly in keeping with the plans an
purpose of this association.
This association will endeavor Z
secure required legislation from tn
legislatures Of the five states OF Ill
nois, Missouri, Iowa. Minnesota an
Wisconsin TO permit towns and cite
located on the waterways in thes
states, to create and maintain doc
commissioners for the purpose OF I'm
proving landing places and the insta
Iation Of modern methods and appl
ances for handling freight.
It invites the hearty co-operatiol
Of all shippers in the upper valley, a
means TO the end Of making pos
tive, effective and economical tn
transportation Of freight by river.
We are preparing for the future
Our mission is not alone for today.
includes he upbuilding of this grea
valley and the establishing in it @
many new industrial enterprises.
To accomplish this, civic and nun
cipal organizations on the differen
waterways In the FIVE states mus
unite, and cooperate with This assc
citation, and by all means possible
establish improvements and moder
methods required TO make the grea
interior water routes available t
commerce; also the means toward II
creasing the wealth and populatio
in towns and cities located on then
Add 70 Output.
The opportunity is offered In col
junction with the Panama cana
which is TO be opened within yea
70 add TO The output OF our factorie
and materially increase the moyemer
of products from the middle ives
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