The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-11-29
M EN-, WON EN-
A N D TIL IN G. S

In story about Chicago and its wonderful
growth few comparisons were made with Biz
mingham, and now bring the city or the lake
and the city on the Warrior together again
in the matter of water transportation
Some people may get tired of hearing SO
much about the Warrior river, but if they real
lied just its potentiality for this great district
instead of being wearied when it's talked about
they would not only join in giving it publicity
but would go to work to cash in on it while there
is yet chance to keep the support of Uncle
Sam. Hugh Roberts in his special from Wash
ington, November 81 showing that the exis-
tence of the Warrior Mississippi barge service
depends on Secretary Weeks petition before the
interstate commerce commission.
Richard F. Johnston in his article "For the
Good of the Community somewhile back gave
most significant statement made by Julius
Kruttschnitt, chairman of the Southern Pacific
board, and one of the greatest railroad men in
the land before the Cummins committee, call
ing attention to the competition the steam
lines were having with water transportation
and better highways.
No better than the far seeing railroad
developers and managers are alive to the fact
that are in the midst of a era in dis
tribution; and whether view it with alarm
as many of them do or hail it as a delverence,
the fact remains that it demands the best
thought of us all in utilizing and safeguarding
the railroads, the water routes, and the high
ways. The country having solved the prob
lem of production must now tackle seriously
the matter of routing and marketing.
But just for the present leaving railroads out
of the question, Chicago is wonderfully blessed
in its railroad facilities, just as is Birming
ham, but it does not make her the less anxious
about her water routes. This should be the
state of mind of Birmingham. Outgoing ton
mage of this section is peculiarly fitted to give
freight to the Warrior river, and this fact is
being cashed in by the big industries but
the test of the ability of the Warrior river 10
live by paying its way will be just to that extent
that our merchants are willing to get in a part
at least of their stocks on incoming vessels.
The port of Chicago is an important factor in
the transportation of manufactured product as
we'll as material. Chicago as port owes
its advantages largely to the natural protec-
ton for vessels afforded by the mouths of the
Chicago and Calumet rivers. Breakwaters have
been built on the east and for some distance
out on the north and the SOUTH by the United
States government, thus forming an outer har-
Dor of 81 foot depth.
Lake Michigan made great impression on
Rudyard Kipling when he first visited Chicago.
He marvelled that it came up to the very
doors of the great hotels, and all that one had
to do was to open window and see the blue
waters at ones feet. The lake is not merely a
beauty spot, the lake commerce is impor-
tant factor in the cty's prosperity and it may
be surprise to learn that Chicago is being
considered seriously as a possible important
seaport. 1t extends along the shore line of
Lake Michigan 26 miles.
leading army engineer in Washington is
credited with the statement that 1.-THE future of
Chicago seaport is assured, for, regardless
of what New Yorw may or may not do, Canada
will provide the outlet to the ocean for the
largest lake boats" Canada has the choice of
two routes for opening the lake to ocean boats
one route via the Weand canal and the other
by way of Georgia bay. The opening of either
of these routes will give Chicago direct water
connections with all parts of the world.
Chicago being forward looking city is not
content to be known as a mere railroad center
but is one the look out to find markets in the
Seven seas for her products just as is Bir-
mingham. Transportation conditions are ever
changing and it will be day worthy of celebra-
ton when the sons of the great city of the
west founded by those who came within its
doors on prairie schooners can see locked on
the lake front ocean going vessels from all
parts of the world.
Transportation conditions are ever changing.
For long period of time men had to travel
leisurely the seas in sailing vessels, and
that was not so long ago When Emerson
went to Europe in sailing vessel it took around
40 DAVIS and he records poinp tn 600 tha man
| in Liverpool who invented the steam gun, but
who predicted it would be years before steam
could be applied to navigation. l visited in
California man who made the trip acrosssthe
continent in wagon.