The sun., 1919-05-25

Onal age WneTeln lHc WdIeTWdyS are
and there is cooperation
betN cen all carriers.
Looking Into the Future.
This has been the experience on the
Continent, where there Is Thorough
coordination between the rail line and
canals with the waterways practically
debating the rates. Those who hare
been studying the barge canal and
mand in the middle West and other
sections of the nation have come TO
the conclusion that we have reached
the threshold of the third stage and
that the barge canal will be the door
by which we will enter into a period
of extensive canal construction and
waterway improvements. These stu
dents of transportation 60 a step fur
Their, and in foretelling the future
claim that the waterways will bc 81
preme in matters involving the move
ment Of heavy produce and commod-
ties, such as coal, iron ore, lumber,
machinery and grain.
How true this theory Is may Re
judged By the fact that the barge
canal has already carried produce des-
tined to reach every State in the
American Union and many foreign
countries. Furthermore. one seasons
operation OF the completed canal sys-
tenn has shown a tendency TO utilize
the channel for the movement Of MANY
high grade items of manufacture Mere
~,
these items are chemicals, electric ma
ch!nery, oil, paints and even household
furniture.
II has been likewise shown tina; the
channel is not limited 10 the trans
portation OF bulk freight alone, hut
that several transportation companies
have been successful in carrying pack
age freight only. This type OF freight
is moved on the railroads in less than
carload lots.
In considering the canal from ar
economic viewpoint there are two fac
tors which stand out strongly in favor
OF the waterways. First. transpor;a-
ton by water is vastly cheaper than i
is by rail. Second, it is also held that
freight can be carried by the canal
faster than ii can be moved on com
petitive railroads. One modern barge
can carry as much freight as could Re
held in thirty freight cars.
Success Depends on Management
The ultimate success of any canal
system depends upon its management
and operation, In other words, Wa'e'
transportation, il II is TO compete sue
cessfully with the railroads. must have
boats, terminals and n personnel Tor
proper operation. These Requirements
will be found In the barge canal
The State OF New York, through rs
traffic bureau, will grant shippers th'
same financial arrangements as aIe
offered by the rail lines. Plans have
been suggested whereby the harSe'
will operate in conjunction with the
steamship lines on the great lakes
and through this the port or DuIu'n'
| Mimi. will be approaChable from
New York, and the great lakes ana
middle West will he linked NJ VII"
the Atlantic seabosrd and our fore's'
trade. Furthermore, the new Na'"'
way will cut the time in transpor'a'
ton and will reduce the cost Of NOV
ing goods from the interior, and th"S'
two items mean much TO the little =,
we'll as the big shipper or powerful
industrial corporation.
The cause OF the inland wa'"T""'
is about TO be put to the acid ''s''
Those who have advocated the con-
struction Of inland waterways are '"".
WINGED that the barge canal will dem
onstrate its worth in a most po''u'r.
manner. A. any rate. the attention ''
transportation and commercial organ
nations the country over will b" rivg''u
on the barge canal OF the state OF Nc"
York for some time 10 come.