Smyrna times., 1913-04-30
FORMER SMYRNAIN WRITES
ON EVOLUTION OF BARGE"
JAMES 3. ScoTTOF WILMINGTON
TELLS ITS PARTIN COMMERCE
Thinks the Restoration of the Prefer
entiaI Per Cent Rate on Imports.
Will be Far Reaching in Results.


Will be Far Reaching in Results.
In the restoration of the preferen
tial 5 per cent rate on imports in ves-
sells belonging to citizens Of the Unit
ed States, President Wilson has open.
ed his administration with a policy
that will become far reaching in its
results. In the palmy days of yester-
day, when the splendid clipper ships
Of the United States carried fully S5
per cent Of the commerce of the
world. the discount of per cent on
every existing tariff rate and on
every class of merchandise, stimulated
commerce and ship building to an un-
precedented degree. During this time
the enterprise of the country became
the admiration Of the world In these
days, trusts and corporate associations
did not exist, ship-owners would load
their vessels with a market" of
goods and make their captains "COn-
signees" with power to sell in the
best markets. buy a return cargo dis
pensing with all manner of agencies
and with the discount Of 5 per cent
on their cargOes were enabled to make
enormous profits. Toward the close
of the forties, Congress in revising
the tariff repealed the preferential
rate clause and by way of compensa-
tion restricted foreign vessels from
engaging in the coastwise trade which
carries with it only a certain amount
Of benefit and then also came the
"War Of the Brothers" and almost
in a twinkling the commerce of the
country disappeared. that is to say
that which were carried in American
owned ships. The silent ship-yard,
the deserted wharves once thronged
with stately ships, the unrest of the
country in passing through the throes
of a mighty struggle, all gave evil
dence that legislation is capable some
times of legislsting a country out of
commercial existence.
Foreign Governments Try Subsidy"
Meanwhile foreign governments
tried the effect of Subsidy" on
lines having the requisite number of
ships and it paid in increased pass
enger traffic. But this was only a
half measure. The teeming West
stimulated railroad building TO an
amazing degree, all the outgoing sea-
ports were congestei with accumulat
ed freight and foreign private enter
prise met the situation handsomely in
sending over fleets of bulky carriers
Of the tramp type which were more
than on an equality with American
ships because Of the simplest of all
reasons, there were none. Out of I4I
ships entering the port of Philadel-
phia last month only nine flew the
American flag. and these were coast
wise. It can be readily seen now
with the exports and imports carried
in foreign bottoms, the unexampled
prosperity Of the country is paying
toll Of upward one half billion Of dol
lars for what should properly be re-
funded at home. that is freight char
ges. The Inter State Commerce be-
ing protected has developed in a very
peculiar manner. At first the most
stable vessels in the world did the work
Of three. four and FIVE mast schoon-
ers until these were supplanted by the
towing barge. The start was made
by veteran toilers Of the sea cut
down and divested Of their tall. taper-
ing spars they crept along the coast
wherever the towing tug listed, a
sad commentary on the mutabiity Of
things. The innovation made good.
and now new barges are building with
1000 tons capacity. and as a tow US
ually consists Of three barges, carry
ing together 5000 tons, the profit is
assured under the low cost of operat-
ing.
Railroad Floats Loaded With Freight.
In addition to these barges the rail
road car float, has made it possible
to handle large quantities Of freight
in ports like New York with the
greatest ease. Long trains reach the
terminals, the entire train is at once
shunted on the waiting floats and
taken along side Of some outgoing
steamer, an elevator cup spaced belt
is let down into the car and the grain
soon pours in a steady stream into the
bins Of the steamer. simultaneously
the swinging derrieks Of the steamer
commences sending down freight wher
the car is empty and the entire train
in a brief time is rushing westward
while the transfer has been made
with an almost entire absence of mar
power. Without the car float II
would not be possible TO handle the
enormous traffics Of the railroads I,
the great sea ports. However thi.
is only a matter Of local expediency
and does not, or will not. assume an,
thing of the national Importance tha