The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-08-15
WARRIOR NEEDS ITS MISSISSIPPI BARGE LINE CONNECTION
M anager DeBardeleben Points to Economy of Joint Operation, Says Co.,
 operation Is Needed

For the sake of economy and even for the preservation of the trans portation service on the Warrior river, Henry T. DeBardeleben, man ager of the Warrior river department of the Mississippi Warrior system stands opposed to any proposition looking to severance of the Warrior and Mississippi transportation facil- ieies and management
 Mir. DeBardeleben. in particular, points out that the Mississippi sec- ton of the system. owing to more equal movement of upstream and down stream shipments, is making earnings, which, in common account ing, go to offset the monthly deficit still occurring on the Warrior end of the system on account of the fail- ure of up stream and down stream movements as yet to balance.
 Mir. DeBardeleben said: The joint Mississippi- Warrior service employs large forces in common, whose ex- penses are pro-rated on the basts of tonnage handled Under separate management there would be duplica- ton of expense, which would fall heaviest on the Warrior end, it's earnings considered.
 We operate terminals al New Or leans. where our chief up-river busi- ness riginates, in conjunction With the Mississippi service. If we sep arate we will be forced to maintait separate terminals at great expense;
 interchangeable Traffic
 We will not reap full benefit or the Warrior until we have inter changeable equipment available for ...t ca rinn an Mississippi valley products are cola stunned by the peoples tributary to the Warrior river system and they con sume products that we manufactures pig iron. steel and timber If the management is separated 1t will he more difficult to arrange this inter changeable traffic With common management the transfer will be without cost; with separate manage ment that will be matter of ar- engagement.
 "1rhe problem of the Warrior river is one of building up an equal rev enue producing tonnage upstream and down stream. At the present time. fair progress is being made in winning steady increase or ul' stream freight. which largely either originates or is delivered to ths barge line as imports at the Fort or New oTledHS.
 WnrriOrr Earns Deficit
 During this period of unequal movement. boats moving empty up- stream and loaded down stream, the Warrior river is showing a deticit on the other hand the Mississippi river section. during this same pe- riod is moving full tonage up stream and down stream, ana >lheif earnings are enough in excess or their operating costs to permlt Una. section to make good the dellcit oi the Warrior river section
 If on the other hand, the Missis- sjppi river section was under sep iarate management from the Warrior river section. and it's earnings not applicable to take care or the ue ficit of. the Warrior river section, II would be necessary for the warrior river section to make application 10 Congress for appropriation to tane care of it's deficits, which at tn's time would be most emparrass'hs.
 Hidden Hand
 "I can see in this move the hidden hand of the rail transportation .n- terests. playing upon the 1eaiousies of the various communities Tn an ei- fort to bring about just sucn sep, aration. which to my mind, WouiG be the beginning of the end of barge line transDortation on the ai .i"t river, and would in no wise lhJurc 2 barge line transportatioh on .n. Mississippi river from the fact that inc Mississippi river section is at the present time on a paying basis.
 ..What the Warrior river needs 'H not . separate management, but the full cooperation and energies or n's communities and interests along the route looking to steady increase "f patronage of the line until it, to"' like the Mississippi river. appears on the profit side of the iedgeI.
 sIn my opinion, it would be suicide so far as the Warrior river is con cerned to champion or permit the severance of the Warrior river from the Mississippi river"