Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-08-12
MISSISSIPPI \.
BOATS TO HELP
WITH WAR WORK
Old River Ships Will be
Loaded to Capacity with
Freight

and since nave plleQ the MISSISSIPPI,
performing perfunctory duties not at
all commensurate with the rivers pos
sibilities. are to be put to work to
help win the war and will be aug
mented by boats of modern type; by
barges and towboats powerfully pro-
PEELED and modernly equipped, cap
able Of greatly relieving the heavy
transportation burdens Of the rail-
roads.
A fleet OF notwithstanding boats
running between New Orleans and st.
ty demands, has been designed and
the federal government has backed
the project with millions of dollars.
The Mississippi Valley Waterways as
ISOLATION, representing varied inter-
ests throughout the valley, is exercis-
ing general supervision of the project.
Revival of river traffic on a large
scale was suggested months when
freight congestion on the railroads
became acute. Business mensbegan to
wonder why the broad ,expanse Of the
Mississippi could not be used to trans
port their freight expeditiously n
the idea took form in ar application
to the government for financial as
sistance to build and maintain a river
fleet. The government appropriated
. $4,000, 900 to be expended between st.
AOuIS duO INS" OI1cdIlS LII pCsVVV,VVV
to be used OF h upper Mississippi,
between St. Louis and Minneapolis.
These amounts, it is explained, are
considered merely expressions of good
will n if the project gives promise
of being successful as many millions
as may be needed will be forthcoming.
After the general scheme had been
worked out by the business interests
in various river cities, cooperating
NTH yoxyornyo ont -0ffi&io1c M It Son.
ders Of New Orleans "a appointed
federal manager. Fol years he has
been identified with gulf shipping.
Working with him are A. w. Mackie,
regional manager, and Theodore
Brent, who will supervise traffic de-
tails.
Mr.. Sanders assumed his duties
early in July and Immediately insti-
tuted a search for available craft with
which to begin operation. He declared
needs were too pressing to await con-
%struction Of steel barges; After a sur
vey of the district he announced that
forty .barges inc even towboats had
been found and that by September 1
the barge line between St Louis and
New Orleans would be in operation
on a weekly schedule.
Meanwhile orders for additional
barges and towboats were placed and
construction of docks begun. The lat
ter, like the barges, are for the most
part temporary make-shifts. In st.
Louis, for instance, it was decided
that the proposed municipally-owned
dock costing 100000, would require
too long to build. Accordingly. a small
landing was erected at a cost of 49,
900 to meet present needs.
Advices from other river cities in
dictate similar activity. New Orleans
is making tremendous preparations
for increased business and according
to figures presented by its chamber
Of commerce, will probably expend
$4,000, 600 within the next year for
docks and terminal facilities. Mem
phis has announced that $500, 900 will
be expended on docks and equipment
for handling freight. Cairo, Ill, will
spend 100000; Greenville. Miss,
I 800, 600. and small towns in Arkansas
will expend at least $4,000 in docks.
These are merely first figures based on
conservative estimates of increased
business that will come to these
towns. Pledges have lei made for
more money as necessity demands.
The Mississippi Valley Waterways
the traffic revival movement. has
compiled a formidable array of evil
dence. ~
One 1,O00-ton barge, association Of
f1cers say, can carry as much freight
as fifty ears and if each towboat con-
voys three barges, the fleet Is it enters
New Orleans is equivalent to $50 cars,
which are thereby released for other
service. If seven towboats, each es-
corting three barges, are placed in
operation on September 1, as has been
planned, it will be seen that the trans
%portation by water. will have released
1850 cars for other duties.
Shippers have shown a willingness
to cooperate. Director Sanders esti-
mates that 100000 tons a year will
be sufficient to make the line a fnan-
.ial success.
1t is hoped further that a joint rail
Ind water rate may be obtained under
which shipments made be made over
either transportation system. This
would increase greatly the territory
tributary to the line.
What I want understood" said Di-
rector Sanders, sis that this is not
comparable to any previous effort to
revive river traffic. What we are GO
modern way. backed by the credit and
war energy Of the greatest country in
the world.
1.-THE cost Of transport by water is
4 approximately one-third the cost by
rail. There is scant difference in the
time required to deliver freight. Our
upkeep is tremendously less than that
Of q railroad. En- short we have every
opportunity to handle all classes of
shipping at less COS than do the rail-
roads and every whit as satisfactorily.
Revival. of traffic on the Mississippi
b only part Of the federal scheme to
utilize Its waterways. We are going to
make a tremendous .effort-an effort
that is going to do its share to prove
that the waterways. Of this country
can assume one-thirH the burden that