The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-26
CONVINCED THAT
 WARRIOR CAN PAY
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(Continued From Page One) even breaks on operation will be af- fected, he believes.
 an important rate publication by the Southern Pacific Morgan line) steamship company, affecting cotton shipments from inland water points, which he said will enable the cotton shippers of Alabama, western Ten nessee, Mississippi and Louisiana to effect a reduced cost of handling to the consumer amounting of Il E cents per 100 pounds. He said he later hoped to have proportionate rate, similar to this one which ap- plies through the ports of Mobile and New Orleans, extended to include Demopolis, Ala. Colonel Ashburn believes a large volume of cotton shipments through this point, on the Warrior, can be developed.
 Colonel Ashburn is more optimistic than on his previous trip to Birming- ham this year regarding a favorable vision of joint rates, applying from Warrior river points.
 Just before he left Washing gton with the congressional party, Colonel Ashburn had conversation with Theodore Brent manager of the Mis-
  recalled it as his impression that Mir. Brent. fresh from a conference with Southern railway officials, had told him that the rail men were willing to assent to a rate division more fla vorable to the barge line.
 Don't state this as a definite fact" he warned, although that was my impression ffff as
 Colonel Ashburn said that the War rior's share of the $5.50O,OO0 appro- priation requested for waterways would be between $500,000 and $1.- 000O00. The entire amount will be spread over barge lines throughout the United States, he stated.
 O O O
 70 Per Cent Downstream.
 Seventy per cent of the freight handled on the Warrior line at pres ent is moving downstream, 30 per cent upstream, he said Opening of the industrial canal at New Orleans has enabled the barge line officials to save. about 50 cents per ton on freight handled to that port, the old Lake Borgne route taking the diff Terence. Gradual development of northbound traffic is being noted, Colonel Ashburn said.
 "The Warrior line will develop steadily, have no fear" he declared. What we need most of all is CO., 
 concerned, and with proper treat ment by Congress the Warrior can be made to pay per cent, believe. What we want now Is to put it on paying basis, or at least one of breaking even. Since the embargo was placed in effect, figures show that we are more than holding our own"
 ST. LOUIS TOssT. PAUL
 Expansion of the inland waterways system to include a barge line from St. Louis to St. Paul, Minn., is eagerly sought by shippers along the Missis sippi, Colonel Ashburn said. This will be the first step of expansion after present operating lines are built up, he declared. Shippers in the Ohio valley want a barge line operated by the government on the Ohio river, he stated He expressed the hope that profitable operation of existing lines would convince Congress and the peo- pie of the United States of the value of barge line operation. 4.
 Just say that what we want for inland waterways, cents per capita. compared with 43 mills per capita contributed by the taxpayers for maintenance of waterways during the last Two years,' Colonel Ashburn de- clared. Tt seems logical that the people will be willing to give us this