Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-08-17
MISSISSIPPI WILL
TAKE IT'S PLACE
IN WAR TRAFFIC

st. Louis, MO.-SteambOats that
during the days of Mark Twain
and since have piled the Mississip-
pi, performing perfunctory duties
not at all commensurate with the
rivers possibilities, are to be put
to work to help win the war and
will be augmented by boats of
modern type; by barges and tow
boats powerfully propelled and
modernly equipped, capable of
greatly relieving the heavy trans
pOrtatiOn burdens of the railroads.
A fleet of freight carrying
boats running between New Or
leans and St. Louis and on up the
river as necessity demands, has
been designated and the federal
government has backed the project
with millions of dollars. The Mis-
sissippi Valley Waterways associ-
alton, representing varied inter
csts throughout the valley, is eXer-
cising general supervision of the
project
Revival Of river traffic on
large scale was suggested months
ago when freight congestion on the
railroads became acute. Business
men began to wonder why the
broad expanse 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 as
Sistance TO build and maintain a
river fleet. The government ap-
propriated $4,000, GOO to be expend-
ed between St. Louis and New Or
leans and $3.600,000 TO be used on
the upper Mississippi, between ST
Louis and Minneapolis. These
amounts, it is explained, are con-
sidered merely expressions Of good
Will and if the project gives prom
Use 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, CO.
operating with government Off
Gals. NJ. ]. Sanders of New Or
leans, was appointed federal man
ager. For years he has been iden-
titled with gulf shipping. Work.
ing with him are \ W. Mackie,
regional manager, and Theodore
Brent, who viii supervise traffic
details.
MIR. Sanders assumed his duties
early in July and Immediately in
stituted a search for available
craft with which to begin opera
ton. He declared needs were too
Cf
steel barges. After a survey of the
district he announced that 40 barg-
cs and seven toWbOats had been
found and that by September l, the
barge line between st. Louis and
New Orleans would begin opera
ton on a weekly schedule.
Meanwhile orders for additional
bargeS and tOwboats were placed
and construction of docks begun.
The latter, like the barges, are for
the most part temporary make
shifts. In St Louis, for instance.
II was decided that the proposed
municipally-ow dock costing
S300,000 would require too long to
build. Accordingly a small land
ing was erected at a cost of S15,-
600 to meet present needs.
AdVlces from other river cities
Indicate similar activity. New Or
leans is making tremendous prep
aratiOns for increased business
and, according to figures present
ed by its chamber Of commerce.
will probably expend S2E, 900 900
within the next year for docks and
other terminal facilities. Memphis
has announced that $500 900 will
be expended on docks and eoufn-
ment for handling freight. Cairo.
III, viii spend 100000: Green
vile, Miss, 100000, and small
/ towns in Arkansas will expend at
least S25, 600 in docks. These are
merely first figures based on con-
sentative estimates OF increased
business that will come to these
towns. Pledges have been made
for more money as necessity de-
mands.
One 1000 ton barge, association
officers say, can carry as much
freight as so cars and if each tow
boat conveys three barges. the
fleet as it enters New Orleans is
equivalent to $50 cars. which arc
thereby released for other service
II seven towbOats, each escortinp
three barges. are placed in oDera-
ton on sept l, as has been
planned. it viii be seen that The
transportation by water will have
released 1,050 cars for other du-
ties.
CfAara do