The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-13

We want to know the 'honest-to-
goodness reason for the embargoes
on warrior river points" said o. l..
Bunn, general manager of the Cham
Der of Commerce and Traffic asso-
citation. The time has arrived when
II appears the plain duty of Biz
ninghan interests to take direct ac-
ton with the constituted authorities
in order to secure justice for the
Warrior.
We have refrained from direct
action because we did not wish to
cause confusion and because we were
urged to hold faith in the federal
management. We have hesitated to
take any direct action with regard
to divisional rates and the like be-
cause we did not wish to embarrass
or confuse such action in that quar-
ter as the officials were taking.
However, the recent embargoes of
Warrior ports and the generally tan
eled condition into which the War
riors affairs seem to have gotten
call for prompt action on part of
Birmingham shippers for the preser-
walton of their interests. and it be-
gins to look as if this action should
be direct.
Direct Appeal.
81 have called meeting of the di-
rectors of the chamber for next We'd
nesday to survey the situation. AS
/ now see it, If no more clarity and
gertrude develop as to the Warriors
status than is now the case at once,
ur course of action should and will
be citation of the federal manage
ment and the railroads before the
interstate commerce commission in a
direct appeal of this community and
all those on the Warrior for just di-
visional rates and the like.
There have been times before
when we felt like intervening, but
we have refraned from doing so out
of apprehension that we might mud
dy the waters The waters are mud
died in spite of the consistent and
cordial help and cooperation which
we have always extended the man
agement. and it is. therefore, incum
bent on us to get in the game for
our self-preservation.'
Rates to Texas Points.
Mr.. Bum went on to explain a re-
cent publication of rail and river
rates on iron and steel products from
st. Louis to Texas points via the
Mississippi and port of New Orleans.
When the birmingham Traffic asso-
citation secured notice of intention to
publish such rates Secretary Charles
f. Jones Immediately interviewed ana
asked the mississippi Warrior man
agement to establish like rail and
water rate on like products from St
Louis to Mobile and New Orleans via
he Warrior.
Got Out of Way.
Mr., Brent on receiving the Traf-
tic association request tor like
treatment OF the Warrior in this
matter called me up over long
distance telephone said Mr.. Bum.
land requested that we not press our
case until the New Orleans rates had
been established. holding out the
prospect of the same treatment of
he Warrior later on. On this repre-
scutation and because we wish the
Mississippi end of the mississippi
Warrior barge line to prosper the
same as, ours. we stepped out of the
way for the time being and the Mis-
sssippi has this discrimination in its
favor
Mr.. Bum adduced this action as
another of the causes which he de-
clares seem to call for direct, lnde-
pendent and initiative action on the
part of Birmingham and other Ala
bama shipping interests.
Affects Birmingham.
The matter of reduced rates on
iron and steel products from ST.
Louis to Texas is of special interest
In Birmingham. it is represented by
shippers. because this district does Il
large business in such commodities
with Texas. The American Steel and
Wire. for instance, has large ware
houses at Galveston and Houston, to
which it ships large tonnages Of
product for Texas distribution. Steel
coming down the Mississippi river
from Pittsburg, st. Louis and other
points is in direct competition with
Birmingham steel in Texas.
O o o
Both Boards to Meet.
The situation will be thoroughly
gone into at the Wednesday meeting
of the directors of the chamber, and
the directors of the Traffic associ-
alton, who are more directly inter-
ested in the fate of the Warrior,
will also meet in the next few days
and take action in the premises.