The evening Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1918-1920, 1918-12-10

q comprehensive inspection of the
terminals at Rouses Point, Plattsburg
and Port Henry. 1t was found that
New York state had constructed these
terminals of permanent earth filled
piers with outside concrete walls.
Without loading facilities and ware
houses, the cost of these piers, borne
entirely by the State, is as follows:
Plattsburg, 200x400 feet, $126,000
Port Henry, 60x500 feet, SS8,000
Whitehall, along shore side of
Champlain Canal $50 feet, has width
of SO feet for part and storage depth
of about $50 feet square, $4,000.
| Oswego, N. Y, has state terminal
alongside its river and outlet to Lake
Ontario, 1000 feet long and depth of
100 feet, $350,0O0.
The population of Oswego is 49,
386; Plattsburg, 11,138; White
hall, 4,l97. Burlington, with it's
population of about $4,000 serv-
cs not only larger indus
trial center, but is the most available
point to reach almost the entire state
of Vermont and part of New Hamp-
shire. The states Of Massachusetts
and Rhode Island have expended mil
lions of dollars in construction of and
now operate public water transporta-
/ ton terminals.
The continuous increase of freight
r?tes shows the greatest need of some
other transportation agency that will
lower the freight charges for much
, of the goods and merchandise con-
sumed in Vermont. But, before
schedule. rates for carrying freight
between Vermont and the many
points accessible to it by means of
the present modern free WATERWAYS,
with their terminals and transfer.
points, it first becomes absolutely
necessary to have publicly owned
water terminal at Burlington as a
basis for adjusting such rates and
schedules.
The terminal should be built and
operated by the State of Vermont as
it would have a tendency to lower
transportation charges, therefore af-
fecting favorably the price of COM
modities for this northern district,
| thus becoming benefit to the entire
state. The State would be the best
| agency, through a duly authorized
state commission, to construct and
I operate such a terminal economically
and equitably to all shippers. Mod
crate terminal charges would be
added to all freight rates, and these
charges would meet the expense of
maintenance and operation of the ter
minal, which would be merely trans
fer shipping point, with only such
warehousing Necessary to cover goods
IN transit. It has been estimated that
4 Vermont tetrnina would not only
meet the expenses Of operation, but
Yield the state AN income, increasing
! as fast as terminal business increases.
This is based on the following in
! formation reported to the secretary
from. about sixty industries of the
state, that they could probably give to
the proposed public terminal approx
| mately 100000 tons of bulk and pack
age freight consisting of coal, grain
feed, flour, fertilizers, cement, plas-
ter, food products, hardware, cotton,
paper, cocoa beans, woodenware
granite, marble, chocolate and other
general merchandise.
! One of the most important items en-
tering into the economic life of oul
| people living in SO northern climate
! is coal, and any means of transporta-
ton that would tend to lower prices
| and enable dealers to store through
! out the state a winters supply re-
ceived during the seven months OF
the navigation season, ought to be
encouraged by the judicious expendi-
ture of public funds. The annual
consumption in Vermont is about as
follows:
! Anthracite 100000 net tons.
Bituminous 169,800 net tons.
/ Even for the northern two-thirds OF
the state most easily reached by ter
minal at Burlington, we find about
! the following used:
I Anthracite 235,170 net tons.
Bituminous 92,470 net tons.
The saving on this commodity alone
and the assurance of an adequate
winters supply will be worth the cos
OF constructing a permanent publ,
pier as a means to that end.
1t must be remembered that at thu
present time there are no publicly o.
privately owned docks or wharves a
Burlington equipped with moderl
machinery for unloading coal. In tht
: granite section of the state a large
amount of waste granite, now il
dumps covering valuable quarry land
awaits shipment by water as soon a.
lower freight rates are secured. Thi.
granite, suitable for bridge and foun
!, dation work and road building. nov
wasted, would then find a ready mar
/, ket and successfully compete will
quarries of other states. During tn.
past six years there has been shippet
= from the Barre quarries about 50, ,OOt
tons of paving blocks, to points easil,
I accessible to the present inland wa
terways. This industry alone woul,
be greatly benefited and increased b,
}, the cheaper water transportation vi;
ia terminal at Burlington. Grain an,
IL Hour SHIPMENTS from the Wecf on.