The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1915-05-01
Water transportation.

There is probably no other questi q
so serious 10 the jewellers in the Rec
river valley as water transportation.
the history of freight carrying proves
that freight can be moved cheaper by
water craft than by any other means.
For this reason in the thiekiy populated
regions of Earop,, and also in many
States of the Union, numerous canals
have been Dug TO transport the COM
merce of the country. When Que re-
fleets that this is fac ii is most as
lo.Asaiag tnar rgat mere in the Rec
river country, within the short space
of about twenty years, we have seen
an immense traffic completely driven
from the river. Twenty years ago al
most everyday aloaded steamboat pass
ed Coifax on the up or down trip, and
sometimes We have seen as many as
three or four large steamboats, receiv-
ing and discharging freight at the Cor
fax landing and opposite Colfax at the
mouth of Cane river Now it is FREE
quently three months before one sees a
boat in the river, and then it is only
some little insignificant craft, nothing
to compare with the great magnificent
boats that used to ply the river.
II is almost incredible for strangers
70 be told these things. and the serious
question naturally arises. why this
great decay in the navigation of great
river, that would be mine of marine
wealth in any other country? We shall
not attempt to answer the question.
What is wanted now is some remedy
for this great evil.
Within the past few days develop
ment of the waterways of the south
has received an impetus by discussion
of the waterways of the country al
large. The use of our waterways is
imperative as means of competition
ard to regulate the rates of the rail-
roads. In response to this need Con-
gresham Aswell accompanied by Ma
jor John r. Slatterly. of the u. S. De-
partment of Engineers, has been visit
ing the cities and towns along Red river
in the effort to see if something cannot
be done to restore the neglected navi-
cation in our river.
Senator RansdelIis on record as say
Ing that he believes every waterway
in this country should be improved to
the greatest possible extent, provided
It can be done at a reasonable cost,
and he clinches that statement by say
ing: 1T is useless economy to cut any
appropriation for such developments. /"
AS chairman of the Senate Committee
on rivers and harbors Mr.. Ransdell will
doubtless be great help in the final
consumation of this movement.
Mr.. AswelPs action in this matter is
most timely and should receive the
hearty endorsement and support OF
every person interested in the freight
rates and transportation of Red river.
Each and every city and town on the
river should at once act through their
chambers of commerce and improve
ment leagues, and in their absence APP
point committees to act for them. Later
along. about September or October, a
convention of Red river shippers should
be held in Alexandria or Shreveport to
collate data and give expression to the
desires and wishes of the people in the
matter of improving Red river. and
the truth that We are entitled to and
need and want aid in the navigation in
this great river should be made so plain
that there is no gainsaying the fact.