The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-06-11
FAIR DIVISION
 .OF RATESHELD .AS SOLUTION
Barge Line Losses Show Sharp Decrease Since Plac- ing Of Restrictions On Short Haul Shipments, Chief Says OLIVER FORECASTS FUNDS FOR ENLARGING SERVICE Traffic Experts To Confer On Schedules Proposed-- Mobile To Present Grain Case Port Cities Send Delegations

Troubles of the Warrior river barge line will be over when fair division of rates is established with connecting carriers and approprla- tions for development will be prompt ly forthcoming when an equitable now existing will then be lifted
 Col. T. Q. Ashburn, chief of the in- land waterwaks service of the war department, and Congressman Will liam B. Oliver were agreed upon this opinion Sunday night. They dis cussed the Warrior situation in- dividually shortly after arriving in Birmingham Colonel Ashburn came from Washington via Chattanooga, and MT. Oliver come up from Tusca- loosa.
 Two Meetings Monday.
 Colonel Ashburn Monday morning will discuss with rate men of the Chambers of Commerce of Warrior port cities the proposed schedule of rate divisions to be submitted to the carriers. This will be an executive session. called at the instance of MT. Oliver, and originally scheduled for Birmingham at the suggestion of Washington It was transferred to Colonel Ashburn, MT. Oliver said. William Huff, general freight agent, and J. s. Powell, auditor of the
 
 New Orleans. will attend the con- ference at the request of Colonel Ashburn. An open meeting will be held in the Tutwiler ballroom at 10 o'clock Monday morning.
 Placing of the embargo upon short hauls on the Warrior has cut losses on operation of the barge line from s52,000 in March to s2S,000 in April, and less than s20,000 in May. Colonel Ashburn said. May figures are esti- mated, he stated
 Operations on the Mississippi in May showed 77000 tons hauled. with an excess income over outgo Of s64,000, he continued, After charging off s24,Ooo for dehreciation, that service showed net profit in May of s40,000. he declared.
 My aim is to make the Warrior pay" Colonel Ashburn earnestly told The Age Herald Sunday night. The two self-propellers now operating are carrying good cargoes. When q fair division of rates is obtained. we will be able to show at least opera tons at cost and have basis for asking the war department for more money for development of the Warrior barge line. It is apparent that additional appropriations can not be asked for a losing proposi- tion. Equitable rate divisions ob- tained and the line will develop. |
 Colonel Ashburn pointed out that railroads have always profited by proximity to waterways, citing the case of cities along the Erie canal. Roads now carry volume of freight which amply repays them for earlier losses and sharing of revenues. he said Alabama must see the same thing, he went on.
 O Q ,
 Sees More Locks.
 Development of the lock system along the Warrior will follow plac- ing of the barge line on a firm basis, Congressman Oliver declared. He said he was confident there would be little difficulty in obtaining money to enlarge the fleet and im- prove facilities once the rate divir sions sought are actualites. Both he and Colonel Ashburn were inclined to the opinion that the carriers. or the majority of them, are now favorable to schedules setting forth new rates.
 Colonel Ashburn is friendly to the Warrior river barge line and wants to see 1t develop into source of benefit to cities in Alabama and nearby states. l am convinced" Mir. Oliver said At the same time he wishes to put it on paying basis, which l am confident will be as- sured when rate divisions fair to the barge line are adopted The confer ence Monday. called originally to discuss rates only, was expanded by Colonel Ashburn to hear arguments of all concerned"
 At the open meeting Monday morn- ing delegation from Mobile is ex- pected to request equal rates with New Orleans on grain shipments from the Mississippi valley. Dele cations from the port cities affected by the embargo are also to appear and discuss this situation with the inland waterways chief. Members ot the state harhor board are also ex- pected to visit the conference.
 Congressman John McDuffie of the First district will arrive Monday morning to attend the conference, which is expected to last the entire day.