Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1920-08-26
TO UTILIZE RIVER.

Higher freight rates are re-awak- ening interest in water tfansporta- ton. Monroe, Louisiana, shippers are taking the initiative for restora- tion of traffic on the Ouachita river In a recent issue of the New Orleans Times-Picayune appeared the follow ihs:
 Increased freight rates promise to do more toward inducing Monroe jpbbers and wholesalers to make use & the Ouachita river as a freight carrier than all the millions that have been spent by the federal gov exnment in locks, dams and dredg- ing. H. J. Fernandez, traffic mana ger of the Monroe Chamber of Com rherce, is in New Orleans this week consulting with United States en- gjneers regarding the use of govern msnt barges for traffic on the Ouch ita river. It is the intention to have boats and barges plying between Monroe and New Orleans in less than ninety days if this can possibly be arranged.
 Because the increased freight rates will bear heavily on cotton, arrangements are now being made to concentrate in Monroe cotton from all the surrounding territory and transport it to New Orleans by bArges. This can be done, it is said, at considerable saving over freight rates now in effect and at cores bonding saving over rates to be put into effect soon.
 In years gone by Monroe was the cotton shipping center for all of Northeast Louisiana, several large steamers plying regularly between this points and New Orleans, the total shipment reaching several hun, dred thousand bales annually. In those days cotton was transported by boats because it was the most feasible way, and for long time the only way. With the great sav- ing in freight rates, water transpor- tation will again become the most feasible way and will, it is believed here, cause return to the shipping conditions prevailing years ago.
 Should the efforts of MT. Fernan- dex prove successful and Monroe in and out bound freight be routed over the Ouachita river, the increase in freight rates may prove blessing to Monroe merchants in forcing them to use the water route, as the boil weevil proved blessing to the all- cotton farmer of a few years ago in forcing hi into diversity.
 However, whether government barges are secured or not, water transportation service between Mon- roe and New Orleans will be put in effect in short time, as business interests here are determined to side step the freight increase, if possible.
 Camden people, according to re- ports from there, are ready to CO., operate in restoring traffic on the Ouchita, and it is possible that some of this seasons cotton will be sent from Southwest Arkansas to. New Orleans by barge.
 Pine Bluff has similar oppor- tunity, and with barge line in op- eration on the Mississippi river to New Orleans from St. Louis, there is opportunity for this section to obtain the advantages of river transportation.
 Mayor M. c. Hollis has the right idea in going to the people with the city problems. It is too often the case that the only time citizens dis play any interest in governmental affairs is when they are dissatis- fled with some particular action or situation. Everyone in Pine Bluff is stockholder in the municipality. and it devolyes upon each and ev- cry one to assume some of the re- sponSibllitles of the administration. Otherwise, they can blame only them s.elves if the city is not all it should be. '
 Eighty. thousand dollars, says Mayor Hollis. is the annual revenue Df the city--a ten or twelve million aollar corporstion! With this inad- 'qpate sum. the officials are expect | te maintain miles of streets, and