Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1920-06-11
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foontinued From Pags q
conoh,ned miles a year after water.
ma farmer himself, travelled $50
miles Der year with q basket Of corn
enroute to the hog pen. The shipping
Facilities of the Middle West are, In
a measure, in the condition OF this
farmer. "a
At no other time has any project
more seriously prompted the atten-
ton of the farmer Of the Middle
West. War conditions have brought
about a crying demand for foodstutf.
The farmer is now ready and alert
to look into any opportunity tending
to afford him a fair DEAL Thousands
of acres will be idle this season, ow-
ing to dearth of farm labor and uncer-
tain marketing conditions.
We are about ready, in this state
to construct network Of hard sur
faced trunk highways. Farmers would
do their own trucking over these
highways q distance Of one to two
hundred miles to seaport. In this
way truck-loads Of products could De
deposited into the holds OF ocean go-
ing vessels.
We suspect some might advance
the argument that we are no longer
a wheat exporting nation. II this is
true, we have a bigger reason tor an
ocean waterway. We have come to q
point where the fertility Of our wheat
raising regions have become depleted.
We need phosphates in large Quantl-
ties. Please bear in mind that at no
time could we afford to have COM
mercial fertilizer shipped here, owing
to confiscatory railroad rates.
Our state is fast becoming a dairy
state. Large quantities of butter,
cheese and other products need
prompt shipping facilities. owing to
their perishable nature. Long distance
routing over railroads, CT products
neding refrigeration, has long since
been conceded q costly luxury to the
consumer and has meant decreased
pay to producer. Railroads could and
should he used to full capacity for
shorter freighting from inland towns
while waterway transportation should
be made available for heavy hauling.
Gentleman we are constantly grow
ing in volume and the waterway
would prove a timely solution of the
overtaxed shipping facilities. Just
now this state is confronted with a
shortage of cars for the transporta-
ton of raw fiber. Our Irvine industry
is being hampered, which Is apt to
result in loss to our grain growers.
"A shortage of cars for the shipment
of live stock, grain and hay has been
experienced among the shippers OF
this state. Enormous loss has thus
been sustained by the tanners OF this
and neighboring states.
Gentlemen, we assume that In lis
tening to argument brought forward
at the different hearings you are TAX
ing cognizance to the fact. that pro-
viding for additional shipping facil1-
ties is a moral obligation upon our
nation. This proposition must not be
measured in dollars and cents. Even
in case project Of this kind would
entail cost in excess Of some imag-
mary standard, our government owes
this to the Middle West.
Gentlemen, the following old worn
out argument may be advanced TO
you by small minded lnen: That we
are not ready as yes for this project.
That transportation demands do not
warrant the expenditure. That this de-
Walton of shipping will hurt some
eastern port, etc.
Arguments of the above kind were
advanced at the enactment OF the
Parcel Post law, the Federal Land
Loan Act, and other measures thus
Tetarding our progress to the extent
that the United States was the last
to have these measures enacted into
law, whereas we should have been
the first. Please bear in mind that
objections of this kind are always az
vanced by people who are selfish.
Fortunately our government will
notfeel disposed to expect a return
in dollars and cents, but will be sat-
isfied that this waterway will prove
a constructive undertaking of lasting
economic value to the people Of the
United States and our sister country,
Canada.
Again I wish to call attention to
our inability TO compete with other
countries who have ocean facilities.
It is a well established fact that we
can not reach our eastern markets
and be able to sell in competition
with other countries. While II we had
this inland waterway We would at
least be accorded the same opportun.
tiles that we are extending to foreign
countries.
Gentlemen, are we not fair in ask.
Ing this privilege? We have a pro.
found respect and friendship for our
brother of the eastern states, and we
ask their cooperation that we may
be able to make this nation better
, place in which to live.
Therefore, gentlemen, we trust that
from the evidence presented to you
in these arguments, you will see
your way clear in making to the two