The Cordova daily times., 1918-08-23
FEDERAL HELP
 TO NAV|GATORS
 0F MISSISSIPPI

| ST, LOUIS, Aug. steamboat! that during the days of Mark TwaiI and since have piled the Mississippi performing perfunCtory duties not a all commensurate with the river | possibilities, are to be put tu work tt | lelp win the war. and will be aug mcntod by boats of modern type, bl barges and towboats powerfully pro pclled and modernly equipped, Capa | ble of greatly relieving the heavy transportation burdens of the rail roads
 | \ fleet of freight carrying boats run ming between New Orleans and St Louis and on up the river as neces sity demands has been designed, and ,he federal government has backed the project with millions of dollars The Mississippi Valley Waterways As SOCiatiOn, representing varied inter csts throughout the valley, is cXercis ing general supervision Of the project Revival of river traffic on d large freight congestion on the railroads be freiht 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 assist ance to build and maintain river fleet. The government appropriated $S.O0O .OOO to be expended between St Louis and New Orleans and $3,G0O 900 to be used on the upper Mississippi between St. Louis and Minneapolis These amounts, it is explained, are considered merely expressions Of good will, and if the project gives promise Of being successful as many millions as may be needed will be forthcoming.
 After the general scheme had been orked out by the business interests in various river cities. cooperating with government officials, M J. San. iers of New Orleans was appointed federal manager For years he has been identified with Cult shipping Working with him are A. w. Mackie. regional manager. and Theodore Brent, who will supervise traffic de. tails.
 Mir. Sanders assumed his duties aeeElsAi Ain-@Juay, and Immediately insti- tuted search for available craft with which to begin operation. He de. clared needs were too pressing to await construction of steel barges, After d survey Of the district he an nounccd that forty barges and seven towboats had been found, and that by September the barge line between St. Louis and New Orleans would be in operation on weekly schedule
 Meanwhile orders for additional
 
 construction of docks begun. The lat, ter, like the barges. are for the most part temporary makeshifts. In St Louis. for instance, it was decided that the proposed pally-owned dock, costing s3OO.OOO. would require too long to build. Accordingly q small landing was erected at cost of $l5,. 900 to meet present needs
 Advices from other river cities in diCate similar activity. New Orleans Is making tremendous preparations increased business. and according to figures presented by it's chamber of commerce, will probably expend $25,' and other terminal facilities Memphis has announced that $500. 900 will be expended on docks and equipment for handling freight. Cairo. H., will spend $10O.0OO; Greenville Miss. $10O.OO0. and small towns in Arkansas will expend at least $25.OOO in docks These are merely first fig ures. based on conservative estimates of increased business that will come to these towns Pledges have been made for more money as necessity de ,noDda