The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1918-08-15
OLD TINE 'W0Rk
TWAIN STEAMERS
HELP WINS WAR

St Louis. NO.. Aug. 14-Steamboats
that during the days of Mark Twain
and since have piled 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 augmented by
boats of modern type; by barges and
towboats powerfully propelled and
modern1y equipped, capable of greatly
relieving the heavy transportation
burdens of the railroads.
A fleet of freight-carrying boats
running between New Orleans and st.
Louis and on up the river as neces
sity 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 ago when
freight congestion on the railroads be-
came acute. Business men began to
wonder why the broad expanse of the
Mississippi could not be used to trans
port their freight expeditiously and the
idea took form in an application to the
government for financial assistance
to build and maintain q river fleet.
The government appropriated s8,000,-
600 to be expended between st. Louis
and New Orleans and s3,600,0o0 to be
used on the upper Mississippi, be-
tween st. Louis and Minneapolis. These
amounts, 1t is explained, are consider
ed merely expressions of good will
and if the PROJECT gives promise of be-
ing 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, NJ. J. Sand
ers of New Orleans, was appointed
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 supervise traffic details.
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 sur
yey of the district he announced that
/ forty barges and seven towboats had
been found and that by September L
! 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, 1t was decided that
! the proposed municipality owned dock
1 costing $4,000 would require too long
to build. Accordingly a small landing
| was erected at cost of $4,000 to
meet present needs.
, Advices from other river cities indi-
cate similar activity. New Orleans is
making tremendous preparations for
increased business ana according to
figures presented by it's chamber of
commerce, will probably expend $685.
100000 within the next year for docks
and other terminal facilities. Memphis
has announced that 100000 will be
expended on docks and equipment for
handling freight. Carlo. ILL.,, will spend
100000: Greenville, Miss, 100000.
and small towns in Arkansas will ex-
pend at least SIS 900 in docks. These
are merely first figures based on con-
sentative estimates of increased BUSH
ness that will come to these towns.
Pledges have been made for more
money as necessity demands.
The Mississippi Valley Waterways
association, which Is an outgrowth of
the traffic revival movement, has COM
piled a formidable array of evidence.
One 1.000-ton barge, association Of
ficers say, can carry much freight
as fifty cars and if each towboat con-
voys three barges, the fleet as it en-
tiers New Orleans is equivalent to $50
cars, which are thereby released for
other service. If seven towboats, each
escorting three barges. are placed in
operation on September I. 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 2,00o, 900 tons a year will be
sufficient to make the line a financial
success.
1t is hoped further that a joint rail
and water rate may be obtained under
which shipments may be made over
either transportation system. This
would increase greatly the territory
tributary to the line.
What 1 want UNDERSTOOD said Di-
rector Sanders, us that this is not
. comparable to any previous effort to
revive river traffic. What we are GO
| ing to do will be done in a wholly
modern way. backed by the credit and
| war energy of the greatest country in
the world
1.-The cost Of transport by water is
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 a railroad. In short we have every
opportunity to handle all classes OF
shipping al less cost than do the rail-
roads and every whit as satisfactor-
lily.
Revival Of traffic on the Mississip-
pi is only part Of the federal scheme
to utilize its waterways. We are go
ing to make a tremendous effort-an
ir "a 40 It's share To