Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-04-15

clared that the next boom period I'm
American business would swamp the
railroads.: that billions would be
needed TO so rebuild the steel lines
and so enlarge the rolling stock, that
the two would be adequate to carry
the commerce of a thriving America
in 1920.
Il isn't 1920, but the railroads of
America have been unable to meet the
traffic demands of the last six months
OF 1915 and the first three of 1916.
From st. Paul and Minneapolis
down TO New Orleans, and cross-ways
from Pittsburgh to Kansas City and
from Chicago to Fort Benton, business
organizations are saying; Put boats
back on the Mississippi and It's trib-
utaries; build terminals at the river
ports; use the rivers and the rail-
roads; take the rivers out Of the pork
barrel"
The Chicago Association of Com
merce. through its spokesman before
the Illinois legislature when the bill
was pending for a nayigable canal
between Lake Michigan and Chicago,
declared:
We want the Mississippi available
for an outlet to the sea, not for our
self-interest, but for our self-protec,
ton"
Yet in this spring of 1916 the $4,000
miles of the mississippi river sys-
tenn" with its $500 miles of main
trunk line" that once served the
whole heart Of the continent run as
empty to the sea as does the Amazon,
nearly as useless as the Congo.
The season Of 1856. the valley is
estimated to have produced 100000
600 tons Of freight-and the railroad
service has reached the utmost of its
capacity of mileage, yardage and roll
ing stock, Another hundred million
tons and it will be insufficient.
New Boats Upon the River.
Now, however, the first thorough
going, amply financed, broadly pur-
posed effort TO put the boats back
upon the rivers" is ready to be made.
In 1914 John II. Bernhard. Il
young Netherlands marine and cleo
triCal engineer. who had picked out
America for his oyster, undertook a
laboratory experiment in modern com
mercial navigation of the Mississippi.
His voyage in 1914 was with a low
powered, 1,000-t0n, shaIlow-draft pro-
pellOr craft originally constructed by
him for the Alabama and New Orleans
Transportation company to move coal
out of the Warrior river, Alabama, to
New Orleans.
On the very day the Panama canal
was opened for traffic, the barge limp
ed sadly back into the harbOr of New
Orleans after a journey to st. Paul
Bernhard was Cleaned out" for his
boat had not been fast enough. His
crew had been unframed. The war
had brought stoppage of his promised
return CargOes. But he had learned
what to do. His group of hackers f.
nanced a quest for cash TO New York
and New England. 1t was agreed that
it would require millions, feet in
stead OF few boats, special terminals
instead of the bleak 'levees" Of the
riEer towns, and an elaborate and eX-
pert traffic department
So, in the late autumn of 1914, Bern
hard, busted" but bubbling with hope,
went east-for the south was then in
tho thrOac 0f Tcn0t cotton
In the early spring of 1915 he trav-
eled back to New Orleans, and to a
few intimates he whispered the name
Of the one man whose interest had
been substantially awakened-D. A.
Thomas, the wealthy Welsh coal mine
owner and financier, then in America
on behalf Of the British government.
This man knew water transportation
throughout the world. He had vision.
He had confidence in America.
The draft of the first agreement is
signed" said Bernhard gIeefully "Mr.
Thomas Is on his way to England
with ton board the Lusitania!"
The next day came word that the
Lusitania had been sent TO the bottom
by German submarine. But D. A,
Thomas was saved. and with him was
saved the project for the Inland Navi-
cation company and for the revival
of Mississippi water borne commerce!
New Fleet Built and Building.
Thirteen months from that tragedy,
the Inland Navigation company is or
gained, with 100000 of authorized
capital, with the first Of its new-style
water craft afloat, three more on the
ways, three others are contracted for.
A feet of 35, Of various types and
kinds to serve the various lines Of
traffic, are in view if the first squad
ron meets the support and reaps the
profits which John H. Bernhard de-
clares are certain.
II &c.