The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-07-14

Colonel Edward Jadwin OF Tie Unit.
cd States Engineer Department with
headquarters at Pittsburgh, Pa, while
Hteaming down the Monongahela riv.
er yesterday afternoon on the Kittan-
ming with "a party OF Fairmonters
aboard had lots to say concerning the
river and the way II has fallen into
disuses as freight carrier. Twenty
years ago the United States govern.
ment paid S2,500,000 to improve the
Monongahela river, and Col. Jadwin
said, as the boat approached Morgan.
town, Here I've come all the way
from Fairmont to Morgantown look
ing for craft; the sign Of enterprise,
and that's tho first boat I've
seen.' He pointed and his party's
eyes fell upon motor boat flying up
the stream with three cases of beer
aboard. "YThnts all the people Of
West Virginia along the Monongahela
think OF their fine river. Why this IS
the finest river running into Pits
burgh. 1t has Is locks to the Allie.
gheny's three and maintains a more
even all:year.round stage than the
Ohio"
Speaking Of the way in which the
Fairmont and Morgantown people
have been treating the river Col. Jad
win said: You people certainly must
not know that tho high prices or
staples in Fairmont (of which he
showed remarkable knowledge) had
their start with tha>.ailroads eating
the lives out Of the shippers and tn.
consumers. Do you know that the rail
road freight rates between Pitts
burg and New York are but half what
thew are between Pittsburgh and Fair
mont? Have you ever stopped to ac
quaint yourselves with the real un
derlying causes of Fairmonts hish
prices?
..You speak of what fine town you
have because there are three trunk
line railroads running into your city
Ifjyou are really in love with the rail.
roads I'll keep quiet, but II you want
70 hear the truth I'll tell you some
thing. even In the presence OF Major
Samuel D. Brady. The three rail
roads have agreed on rates between
points they reach and Fairmont, and
these rates are perfectly satisfactory
TO all three roads but not to the con-
sumer. But what are you going to do
You must ship your goods. you must
receive them so the best thing 10 40
tsfto look to the rivers"
Col. Jadwin protested about the con.
dition of the wharf at Fairmont hut
not feel too greatly out OF sorts con-
cerning It, knowing that something
could still be done to improve H.
\ But when he reached Morganto~n ne
struck real snag.
There the representative OF the
United States government could not
use the wharf because the city had
rented It to an individual who charG'
ed SO much for a bathing suit and 80
much for swim. The Kittanning
flying the Stars and Stripes and Col
oneFs ensign could not dock at that
wharf. It was necessary that COL
Jadwin assert his authority before
he could set foot on Monongalia coun'
~ soil.
Col. Jadwin Investigated infinitely
concerning the manner In which the
railroads have shut OF the wharf's
at Fairmont, Morgantown and Browns.
Vile and how, the Rivesvillc wharf
which at one time was a frst'class
landing, had become useless. He Is
going to help the cities along the line
by conferri~- With the steam packet
81 Ners Of Pittsburgh and see II he
cannot have Shippers route their
goods via water from Pittsburgh to
points along the river. before this
10 done the wharfs must bc fixed
up. He quoted recent law which
forces railroads handling freight from
certain points to stations where
the goods are to be transferred to
water, In which It said that the rail.
roads must do this transferring FREQ
OF charge. He stated that all year
round traffic would be assured as
he himself will SEQ that the govern.
ment ice.breaking barges keep the
river open, as he expressed It good
and vide.n
M will come back soon, the next
time on the Swan, the best boat on
the river and I'll tell you some things
that will make you and your people
lahamed Of themselves for allowing
this Sfne river to flow on forever with.
out using II to bring down the high
cost OF living and other important pur.
poses. Remember NOW. I'm going TO
neip SFairment "rA :. you to get