South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-07-15

"hlch ndu prdCtlcally no terminal
facilities was excessive and that the
cost OF handling commodities to and
from railroad cars could be greatly
reduced through the building Of con
venient and economic terminal IA
cilities.
Railroads Developed.
Then began the systematic devel-
opment of the railroad terminal az
the little towns and the big cities.
and at the ports. Shippers soon
found that such facilities were very
convenient. The railroads found
them not only profitable but a
great advantage in controlling
freight movement
System in the solicitation OF
freight became a big factor in be-
half OF the railroads, and freedom
10 quote any rate that might be
found necessary TO take business
from the boats developed into a
far reaching power.
East and west railroad systems
were built. and the handicap Of
mountain ranges was overcome by
terminal efficiency, by systematic
business methods. and by free play
in the making OF rates.
Under such conditions the boats
were starved into the junk pile. the
and south trade route Of least nat
ural resistance lost its controlling
factor, and a large volume OF valley
commerce moved over the new arti-
fetal east and west routes.
As the western half OF the country
developed under the influence OF the
railroads, valley trade centers began
10 grow in a remarkable way.
st. Louis. by rail, is I 900 miles
nearer the west than is any Atlantic
coast trade center. The same is true
OF other valley trade centers. Con-
sequently. the west traded with the
developed valley cities. and the
growth OF the Pacific coast country
helped them to a very important ex-
tent.
This system OF transportation
worked splendidly for most OF the
Mississippi valley until a few years
ago. when the influence of two new
factors began 10 be felt.
Non-river towns began to chafe
under the higher rates than the rates
enjoyed by the river towns. and to
ask for relief from the interstate
commerce commission on the ground
there were no boats on the rivers
and that the river towns had no
right to expect low rates at the ex-
pense OF interior towns
influence of War.
The opening Of the Panama canal
opened the way for a water route
between the east and west coasts of
the country which, in normal times,
make the all water haul from the
Atlantic sea board 10 the Pacific coast
cheaper than the all rail haul from
a valley city TO the Pacific coast.
which completely upsets valley
transportation economy
Then came the war.
BY imposing an increased burden
on the American railroads the war
has necessitated the use OF addition
al means Of transportation.
BY imposing a monster debt bur
den on practically the entire world.
the war has forced the people of the
United States, along with everybody
else. 10 eliminate waste and TO con
duct their affairs in an economic
manner.
And so II follows. that the third
! period in Mississippi valley transpor-
tation economy is now beginning.
This cannot fail 10 result in two
, far reaching improvements in a now
unfavora BILE situation.
The efficiency of the railroads will
+ be increased by a better character OF
7 local legislation and by a higher
/ character Of scientific management.
The navigable streams Of the va
/ lev will again be used 10 move COM
merce along natural north and south
trade channels of least resistance.
4 In this third period. II is logical
/ 10 expect the shippers Of the Missis
sippi valley TO do their own thinking
on the subject OF transportation
economy. They had no opportunity
10 do so in the days when the boats
enjoyed monopoly. and no dispo-
sition 20 do so I'm the days when the
railroads we're offering greater con-
venience OF service than the boats
had been giving them.
Adequate Boat Lines Next.
Today the railroads alone cannot
protect the valley shippers. and the
boats. through whose assistance alb
solute protection can be assured. are
not yet in operation.
But when a channel OF relief is
available. American business men
can be depended on 10 correct an in.
tolerable condition in short order
IL is therefore reasonable 10 expect
that in the not distant future. ade-
auately financed and economically
equipped boat lines. served by pras-
teal loading. unloading and housing
facilities. and enjoying close connec-
tion and interchange with the rail-
roads. will come into being first as
an emergency measure and later as
a permanent part OF the valley
transportation equipment.
As a working start 70 attain this
goal the United States department Of
I commerce has begun specialized en-
deavor 20 encourage shippers 20 use
+ the waterways for the movement OF
, commerce
A sub committee OF the nationa'
/ defense council headed by Gen "
: NJ. Black is engaged in solving the
! physical dirhculties confronting me
.