The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1918-08-12
STEAMBOAT|NG SOON
Be AS IN OLD DAYS
u. S. CRAFT WILL PLY THE
RIVERS AND HELP WIN
THE WAR.

be augmented by boats of moderr
type; by barges and towboats pow
erfully propelled and modernly
equipped, capable of greatly reliev-
ing the heavy transportation bur
dens of the railroads.
A fleet of freight-carry;ng boats
running between New Orleans and
St. Louis and on up the river as
necessity demands, has been de-
signed and the federal government
has backed the project with millions
of dollars. The Mississippi Valley
Waterways Association, represent
ing varied interests throughout the
valley, is exercising general super
vision of the project.
Revival of river traffic on a large
scale was suggested months ago
when freight congestion on the rail-
roads became acute. Business men
began to wonder why the broad ex-
panse OF the Mississippi could not
be used to transport their freight
expeditiously and the idea took form
in an application to the government
for financial assistance to build and
maintain river fleet. The govern
ment appropriated $S,00O,0OO to be
expended between st. Louis and
New Orleans and $3,600,000 to be
used on the upper Mississippi, be-
tween St. Louis and Minneapolis.
These amounts, it is explained, are
considered merely expressions of
good will and ii 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
with government officials, M. J.
Sanders of New Orleans, was ap-
pointed federal manager. For years
he has been identified with gulf
shipping. Working with him are
A. w. Mackie, regional manager,
and Theodore Brent, who will sup
ervise traffic details.
Gets 40 Barges.
Mr.. Sanders assumed his duties
early in July and Immediately in
stituted a search for available craft |
with which to begin operation. He
declared needs were too pressing to
await construction of steel barges.
After survey of the district he an
nounced that forty barges and seven
.owboats had been found and that
by September the barge line be-
tween St. Louis and New Orleans
would be in operation on weekly |
schedule.
Meanwhile orders for additional
,arges and towboats were placed and
of docks begun. The
after, like the barges, are for the
most part temporary make-shifts.
In st. Louis, for instance, it was
lecided that the proposed munich
dock costing $3OOOOO
would require too long to build. Ac-
,ordingly, a small landing was erect
ID at a cost of $4,000 to meet pres
mt needs.
Advices from other river cities
Indicate similar activity. New Or
cans is making tremendous prepara-
ions for increased bushes and ac-
.ording to figures presented by its
.hamber OF commerce. will probably
.xpend $25,000,000 within the next
ear for docks and other terminal
Memphis has announced
hat $500,000 will be expended on
locks and equipment for handling
reight. Cairo, ILL.,, will spend $780,
100: Greenville, Miss, 100000 and
mall towns in Arkansas will eX-
,end at least $4,000 in docks. These
re merely first figures based ON
estimates OF increased
BUSINESS that will come to these
owns. Pledges have been made for
more money as necessity demands.
The Mississippi Valley Water
says Association, which is an out
OF the traffic revival move
nent, has complied a formidable
rray of evidence.
One l,000-ton barge, association
fficers says, can carry as much
reight as fifty cars and if each tow
oat conveys three barges, the>fleet
5 it enters NewOrleans is equipa-
mt to $50 cars, which are thereby
eleased for other service. If seven
owboats, each escorting three
arges, are placed in operation !
eptember /, as has been planned, it
ill be seen that the transportation
V water will have released l,O59
ars for other duties.
Shippers to Cooperate.
Shippers have shown willingness
} cooperate. Director Sanders es-
mates that 100000 tons a year
ill be sufficient to make the line
financial success.
1t is hoped further that joint rail
nd water rate may be obtained un-
er which shipments may be made :
yer either transportation system.
his would increase greatly the ter
tory tributary to the line.
What | want understood said
,irector Sanders, 'is that this is not
TO any previous effort to
evive river traffic. What we are
Ding to do will be done in a wholly
,odern way. backed by the credit
nd war energy OF the greatest coun-
" in the world.