The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-08-17
IMPROVEMENT OF SOUTHERN
PORTS.
The Shipping Board Finds il Necessary
to Increase the Facilities for Water
Transportation.

Washington, Aug. 9.-Pert and har-
Dor facilities along the Atlantic, the
Gulf and the Pacific must be ex-
panded two or three fold to provide
for the maximum service of the
American merchant marine, now in
the making. when once it is released
from war traffic. Immediate eXpan-
| that coal for New England war in
dustries can be moved by water.
These facts have been established
in the preliminary study of port con-
ditions made by the recently created
Port and Harbors Facilities Commis-
sion of the Shipping Board, headed
by Edward F. Carry. Present facili-
ties are shown to be inadequate, and.
in time new ports may be created.
New York and Boston harbors have
heen examined by the Commission,
larger ports of the country will be
made soon by Mr.. Garry and experts
attached to the Commission. They
plan to make visits soon TO the rap
idly growing ports Of the South. In
spection tours also will be made to
obtain information on proposed new
ports.
The first complete inventory of port
facilities in the United States is now
being made under the direction OF
Mr. Carry. Authorities at all ports
used by ocean, going traffic have been
requested to supply data covering the
last five years regarding docks, ma
rine railways, terminal arrangements
repair plants and entrances and clear
ances in domestic and foreign trade.
Every dock and repair plant has been
called on to answer a QUESTIONABLE re-
garding the type of its facilities, pres
ent condition, exact location, wheth-
er this location is advantageous for
the most efficient handling of ships,
the terms, rates and conditions on
which ships are locked, the number
of ships docked in the last five years,
the average period each ship was in
dock, and brief statement Of the
work done on it. Special information
also is sought regarding ports where
coal and oil are handled.
IIG COc-SIWlS0 lId(tG III Gull dIu Oii
is perhaps the most important that
has been handicapped by inadequate
facilities. At present, this trade is
limited only by shipping and port fa
cilities. The survey shows these
ports taxed to capacity at present
and IN many instances overtaXed, and
in almost all instances facing serious
congestion unless speedily expanded.
New York harbor particularly is
overtaXed, and some Southern ports
especially Galveston, New Orleans.
Jacksonville, and Charleston, need
expansion All Southern ports, it is
expected, will be enlarged because
signs Of congestion are already in
sight. This condition results from
heavy traffic being diverted by rail-
roads from overland routes north tue
southern ports either for shipment
north or to the West Indies and South
America.
The commission, besides its plans
for port expansion. will consider the
diversion Of imports and exports from
northern to southern ports, particular
ly shipments to and from the Middle
West, which now add to the troubles
OF congested railways along the North
Atlantic seaboard and in Pennsyl-
vania and Ohio. Relief is planned by
transit through Southern ports to
railways and waterways.
Trade with South American coun-
tries, which has increased enormous
ly during the war. will be considered
by the commission in relation to the
ports Of the South. The diversion Of
this trade. as also that Of the Middle
West, is regarded as demanding vast
increases of water front facilities
there.
Enlargement of Pacific ports is re-
garded necessary with the expansion
of trade with the Orient.