The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-06-08
RAILROADS EXPECTED TO MAKE
HARD FIGHT ON NEW BARGE LINE
Warrior Transportation Not to Be Accomplished Without
Strenuous Opposition From Those Who Foresee Lower
Freight Rates in Alabama-What Line Means to
Birmingham in Connection With Tidewater
BY CLYDE w. ENNIS

That powerful railroad influences will
light to the end the initiating of water
transportation from this district to the
gulf coast Is the growing conviction of
s local industrial men as the time draws
near for the beginning of service between
Tuscaloosa and Mobile by the Alabama
New Orleans Transportation company.
Whether the railroads that will be hit,
and hit hard, by material freight rate re-
ductions will join hands or whether singly
they will try to prevent water transpor-
tation is said to be at this time specu-
lative.
1t may be Joint proposition, or they
may go in single file against that method
of transportation that will revolutionize
commerce in this state. Well informed
persons have heard rumors that are log
ical that railroad interests have before
this time killed water transportation,
while others know that the railway man
aSements of many lines are bitterly op-
posed to the water proposition.
Numerous circulars and booklets writ
ten by railroad men have from time to
time been issuel in an effort to show
that water transportation is simply the
ship hitting the reefs and sinking before
the lighthouse is sighted Numerous Bit
ter statements have been made locally
about railway managers for their activi-
ties or the work of their agents against
water lines.
First Barges Are Launched
Although the railroads will naturally be
hit hard by water transportation. it is
believed that the beginning of service on
the Warrior river during the next 60 days
will stand the gaff, The first barges of
the Alabama-New Orleans company were
launched at Dauphin island last Wednes-
day. The affair was witnessed by a large
concourse of prominent and influential
persons. Mrs. J. II. Bernhard, wife of the
vice president and general manager of
the line, dealt the first barge a blow
with a bottle of champagne, and the barge
glided into the water. Subsequently the
officials announced that a tariff sheet
had been printed. That tariff sheet, it
is. said, discloses very great reductions
in freight rates from points in Alabama
to the gulf.
Points touched in this state between
the gulf and Tuscaloosa, the present Les-
tination of the barges, include: Mobile,
Jackson, Eutaw, Demopolis and Tusca-
loosa, with stops at intermediate points
that justify stops for tonnage. With the
launching and tariff sheet came an an
nouncement by Mr.. Bernhard that the first
barge would be sent north from New
Orleans during the next few days. Then
from time to time boats will be fitted into
the schedule until twice daily boats cap
able of holding 1000 tons will leave both
terminals-New Orleans and Tuscaloosa
Pleased With Barges
The launching of the barge last Wednes-
day was witnessed by many engineering
experts of this section. They all agree
that the self propelling barges will revo-
lutionze water operations. They agree
that the boats are modern in every way
and thoroughly efficien for their work.
g The company has over 200 men at work
building more barges. The company has
under construction a coaling station at
Tuscaloosa costing over $l50000 for use
OF Birmingham coal shippers when bust
ness ripens. The barges cost $50, 600 each
They are of steel construction.
The people of New Orleans are very
much interested in the plans on the
rivers leading into this state. They be-
leve that the whole scheme will EN-
rich those connected with 1t. They
think that Birmingham, Tuscaloosa
Mobile and New orleans could have no
better connection than these barges In
every way the people are giving en-
/ coura cement to the enterprise and as
sisting at all times in protecting the
: interests of the men who are hazard
ing their wealth to unbottle this state