The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-04-22
THE HUM OF INDUSTRY IN THE SOUTH
Warrior RiDer Project An
Example of the Economic
Value of Water Traffic

The fuel shortage of the past win
ter and the consequent embargoes on
freight brought home to the people
of the United States a clearer under
standing of the problem of the rail
roads and the difficulties of handling
the commerce of the nation tnan mas
been known at any previous time. says
a Washington special to the Baltimore
Record In this dericet object lesson
the causes which have resulted in the
present congested traffic have been
realized more completely than would
have been possible in years of edu-
cation through the ordinary channels,
and at the same time the public has
been impressed with the neglected
transportation facilities which exist IN
the rivers and canals of the country
This is now finding expression in the
demand upon the government and pri-
vate capital for greater development
of these valuable assets.
AS an example of the economical
value of water traffic in believing the
congestion on land, there may be cited
the Warrior river project, which has
been investigated by committee APP
pointed by the shipping board and
which has bean enthusiastically in
dorsed.
The expenditure Of $2,100,0o0 has
been recommended for developing
| trade on the Warrior. which has al
ready received a considerable improve
ment by government engineers from
time to time, but is not being util-
lied to it's full capacity as a freight
carrier. 1t is stated that with this new
appropriation the full value of the
river as coal route can be obtained.
The addition of new barges and
freight-handling equipment will bring
the river up to the highest degree of
efficiency in supplying bunker coal at
gulf ports. and will save approximate
ly $4,000 900 by eliminating long hauls
of fuel on the railroads. Moreover, il
will be possible to keep a full supply
of bunker coal at New Orleans and
Mobile to provide for the ships which
in many instances now bunker in Eng
land for the und-trip voyage be-
cause of the difficulty experienced in
obtaining fuel at New Orleans.
| There is every indication that the
| shipping board will take up the work
of barge building on the Warrior river
as quickly as the funds are available.
and that later similar development
of other rivers will be found de-
sirable.
The determination of the railroad
administration to operate the Chesa-
peake and Ohio canal is likewise be-
lieved to be but the initial move in
programme of greatly increased ac-
tivity on inland waterways under gov
| eminent supervision. 1t is hoped to
double the coal tonnage on the canal
during the year, the greater part of
the supply being used in Washington
and at the government reservations
| nearby. Heretofore boats bringing
| coal from Cumberland have usually
returned empty. This feature is also
| to be considered under the new plan
| of operation, with the view to provid-
ing return cargoes Of freight, for it is
believed that the proper utilization of
waterways transportation involevs the
| promotion of commerce in channels
which are in need of development
| A keen interest in the building of
! terminal facilities on inland waters is
reported from practically all sections
of the United States. The civic organ
| izations of cities located on the rivers
and canals are showing a willingness
| to undertake extensive improvements
| of docks and warehouses, and are en-
tering upon progressive plans for han
| ding the trade which is confidently
| expected to return to the waterways.
This is particularly true of the
| southern cities, which are vitality af-
| fected by the new swing of freight
| toward the south Atlantic and Gulf
ports. New Orleans as a terminal for
| the Mississippi river traffic, and the
| port for vast ocean-going fleet, is
making the most elaborate improve
ments, but the same activity is re-
sulting in new port facilities at up
river points, including Natchez, Telena.
Memphis and other cities famous in
the old packet days. Chattanooga,
Nashville and the cities on the Ten
nessee river are deriving a consider
| able impetus through the extensive
| improvements at Muscle Shoals and