Evening journal., 1913-11-21
BARGE TRAFFIC
IS DISCUSSED
Eugene W. Fry Tells Water
ways Delegates Of Its Eff
feet on Living Cost
TRANSPORTATION
WILL COST LESS

oAStNoOANN lA<-h4f rldr NV. 81
Barge Traffic and Its Effects on the
High Cost of Living" was easily the
leading theme at the third days ses-
sion of the Atltntic Deeper Water
ways Association.
4 Eugene w. Fry. treasurer OF the
Southern Transportation Company. Of
Philadelphia, Baltimore and Norfolk.
was the exponent Of this means of in
creasing economy
Proceedings Of the day we're open
ed with an invocation by the Rev. ].
T. Boone. pastor of the First Chris
tian Church. The presiding officer
was Congressman c. ]. Llnthicum Of
BALTIMORE who spoke on the canal
approaches TO that city.
Mr.. Fry's speech.
Mr.. Fry in the course OF his ad-
dress, said:
Transportation by barge is the
cheapest method of freighting known
today All statistics ever made COW
ering the relative cost Of freights by
railroads, steamships, sailing vessels
and barges in this country or In
Europe, will confirm my statement.
This fact was recognized by the
railroad companies many years ago.
when they feared the competition OF
barge traffic through the various
lcanals. and even though our few
cana1 were owned by private parties.
who charged high rates of toll
The railroads have in recent years
discontinued their opposition to canal
barge traffic. In view of the great
amount of local traffic along their
lines. and their increased business in
their long hauls of the higher classi-
fed commodities. they do not now
lcare for bulk and heavy materials
IF csrgoes can be transported at less
cost by barges between points where
there are canals or waterways suitable
for barge traffic. it will surely reduce
the cost Of living.
Il understand the Albemarle and
chesapeake canal, recently purchased by
the government, will be deepened to
twelve feet. this work to be started
shortly. As soon as the work of deep
ening is completed it will bring about a
saving of between 30 and 40 per cent in
the cost of freights between North Caro-
lima points and Norfolk.
"We are now asking the government
TO purchase the Chesapeake and Della
ware canal. and TO make it free water
way Of proper depth. Let us see how this
canal. if IL were opened up. would affect
the cost of living
at would reduce the cost of trans.
lportation between Norfolk and othel
Virginia points of shipment 20 Philadel
phia, Camden and other New Jerse,
points on the Delaware river fully ,
to 40 per cent Lumber could be deliv
cred in Philadelphia at 80 cents per 100
fleet less cost.
pulp wood could be delivered in Wi
mineton and Philadelphia for at leas
so cents per cord less than the presen
cost This should bring about eheape
cost Of paper. Railroad ties could b
transported at saving of about 25 pc
cent. Of the present cost OF freightinc
There would be the same proportional
saving in the cost of Transporting minl
props and other forest products.
Coal could be carried in the barge
from Philadelphia to Norfolk and othe
Virginia points at about 80 per cent. les.
cost of freight Likewise fertilizing ma
terials
"Pig iron could be shipped from New
port News. Norfolk and vicinity to Phil
i, adelphia Camden. Bristol and Burling
ton at 30 and S5 cents per ton les
, cost
There of course, would be an add
tional saving when the New Jerse
III Canal is opened up.
j 81 believe that it is of the creates
Importance 10 all producers and consun
ers of all our States along the Atlanti
coast that the Chesapeake and Delawar
Canal be purchased by our governmen
and opened up TO all as free an
deeper waterway in the very nea
future. If our government does not 4
this very soon we viii have a conditio
that will very shortly increase the COS
of living instead of reducing il. Tn
canal is gradually filing up; the mail
tenanee is bad.
] When Mr.. Fry had concluded. the Ho
w S. Bennett. ex-member of Congrei
: from New York, talked on the "Co-ord
nation of Terminals by Rail and Water
Waterways and Federal Trade Pr
motion was the subject of the Hon.
n. Baldwin. chief of the United Stat
Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Con
merce The theme of connecting q
Atlantic and the Mississippi" was dl
cussed by Senator Fletcher Of Florid
at the evening session the speake
were Congressman J. A. Goulden
New York, and Major j. r. Slattery
the United States Army Engine
Corps.