Omaha daily bee., 1915-12-19
KENNEDY URGES AID
FOR RIVER TRAFFIC
Federal Legislation and Assistance
for Navigation of Missouri Neces-
sary to 0maha's Prosperity.
TALKS TO REAL ESTATE MEN

That proper federal legislation Is
great help to all business and that
federal aid for Missouri river navl-
CATION is absolutely necessary for the
future prosperity of Omaha was as
serted by John l.. Kennedy, Wednes-
day noon, at the weekly luncheon
OF the Omaha Real Estate exchange.
Get constructive, favorable fed
eral legislation on important pro-
iects," he urged. then go ahead and
boost and work for them and sue
cess is sure TO follow"
In succession he discussed the effect OF
federal legislation on the tariff. railroad
rebates and free passes. river navigation,
rural credits and other matters His re-
marks on Missouri river development for
freight barge line purposes was especially
interesting and timely. as he attended the
recent river navigation hearing at Kan
sas City and was one OF Omaha's chief
spokesmen In favor OF Improvement OF
the Missouri for navigation.
As to ono objection OF the army en-
glneers TO development OF the river he
told OF the answer he had once given
while I'm congress, and which he repeated
recently at Kansas city.
The argument had been advanced that
II was not worth while to make the Mis-
souri, navigablc. because freight shipping
on the Mississippi. already navigable. had
gradually decreased. and such would be
liable TO be the case on the Missouri. after
/ the government had spent much money
TO improve Il.
i what killed River Traffic.
Attorney Kennedy said that in reply to
that objection he had made the following
statement some years ago in congress. and
again recently at the Kansas City hear
ing:
1T was cut-throat freight Relating by
the railroads competing against river
transportation. that killed the latter on
the Mississippi. and not the alleged Inn
practicabllity of river transportation.
When the government made II serious
offense TO give rebates and thereby
practically stopped that practice. II
marked the end Of the decline In river
transportation"
Likewise" he told the Real Estate
exchange. ~ congress win make II pos.
sibie by river Improvement. for Omaha
business houses 10 ship their goods south
by way OF the Missouri. that helpful fed
eral legislation will prove a boon to MD
west business.
Furthermore. such federal help TO-
ward use of the Missouri for transporta
ton south from Omaha win be abso
lutely necessary, II Omaha is 10 continue
TO enjoy prosperity. Otherwise. the open
ing the Panama canal will benefit bust
. ness on the coast and will hurt Omaha
by giving the coast business the advan
tage OF water transportation In competi
ton with the railroads, while Omaha viii
! have to pay Increased railroad freigh
rates and will not he able TO gain new
= manufactures by being able to offe
cheap transportation facilities.
=, May suffer from Canal.
4 Unless river Navigation is thus mad
: available south from Omaha by federI
!, aid. Omaha's trade territory will suffe
! rather than benefit from the canal. b
!. being left at the mercy OF the railroads
ut is therefore highly important tina
the Real Estate exchange. and all othe
Omaha organizations seeking the growtl
and increased commercial Importance o
the Gate City. should get behind tn
T, river navigation project and push
through
"Only In that way. through federal leg
isiative help. can the necessary aid b
! secured 10 make river navigation pos
J. sible and practical from Omaha south
ward. and thereby preserve prosperit
!, and growth for Omaha IN the future"