The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1920-04-27
GREATER WATERWAY
TRAFFIC IS FORECAST

st. Louis, Mis-. April 24.-Brigadicr
General 4. Hines, chief of transpor-
Ia ton Of the United States Army. and
as such director OF operations for the
government inland waterways, be-
lieyes that the barge lines on the
Mississippi River between here and
New Orleans will soon be carrying
three times as much freight as 1t
present General Hines. who was at
tending the annual convention of the
Mississippi Valley Waterways Asso-
citation. stated
There is uncertainty about the flu
ture of bur inland waterways. Their
use Is inevitable, and in this coming
prosperity the Mississippi must enjoy
It's full share
In an address before the convention
he said that the War Department
would carry out policy OF admins
tering vigorously the declared will of
Congress ITO promote, encourage and
deveop water transportation service
facilities in connection with the COM
merce of the United States, and to
foster and preserve in full vigor both
rail and water transportation"
He pointed out the lack OF equip
ment, now being met. the ReA OF
river terminals. and announEe0v the
taking over of section of great army
dock at New Orleans for the use of
the barge line. He added that the
railroad today views the waterway,
not as an undesira BILE competitor, but
as a very necessary ally in solving
the enormous national transportation
problems we are facing"
General Lansing FL, Beach chief OF
engineers OF the United states army
said that the waterway men should
go before the Interstate Commerce
Commission gets the river viewpoint.
They should demand an appointee
on that commission he said Its
viewpoint heretofore has been entire
ly that of the railroad"
In his annual report, James E.
smith, president OF the Waterways
association reviewed the work for
the year. deplored the fact that but
1000. 900 had been appropriated
for the years r4xer work in the VAL
ley and urged concerted action by
Valley business interests to elect con-
gressmen who will pledge themselves
to work for river improvement. He
pointed out that 81 Mississippi VAL
ley congressman voted against In
creasing the river work appropria-
ton. He asserted these men did not
represent their people. and should be
displaced. The report showed that
20 modern barEes have been placed
in use on the lower river, 20 more
are to be completed and that equip
ment now in use has all the freight 1t
can carry. 1t was shown that the
receipts of the association for the
year were $10,179, and the expendi-
lures swere $780,.
John M Parker. gubernatorial
nominee in Louisiana. John Fl. Small
president of the National Rivers and
Harbors congress. Congressman Clev-
land A. Newton. author Of the New
ton bill authorizing the expenditure
Of 10000, 900 on inland waterways
and J. w. Alexander. secretary of
| commerce, were other speakers in
the early sessions. Mr.. Small stated
that congress had reduc the river
appropriations from $25,000,000 to
s1e. 900. 000wi reason or excuse.
Harry H. Merrick of Chicago. pres
ident of the Mississippi Valley assoc
citation, describes the waterway link
/ from Chicago TO the Illinois river, on
which SIS. 100000 is being spent. At
| its final session the association re-
!, solved to seek unification with the
Mississippi Valley association, stat
ing that It is the purpose of both TO
promote the interests of Mississippi
valley TRANSPORTATION and that bet
ter results can be obtained by CO.
| ordination. 1t was voted to hold the
1921 convention in New Orlenas.