The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-11
ALABAMA'S SEAPORT

The statewide value of Alabama s seaport at Mobile has already been demonstrated in reduced rates affect ing practically every point in the state. Many people, however, have not Ftrealized the extent of the port influ- Mce in causing such reductions. This is so partly because they have been so gradual and spread out over so long period, and partly because the por9s influence has not been empha- sized as a compelling argument in favor of rate reductions. Because of the coastwise steamer service between the North Atlantic coast and Mobile, freight rates by rail have been re- Nduced between Eastern points and points in Alabama to compete with the water rates. The same is true as re- gards commodities brought either by rail or by water from points on the Pacific coast. These rate reductions are translated into savings for the people of Alabama, whether they real ize it or not. If some cataclysm were suddenly to befall the harbor at Mo- bile there would at once be noted an upward tendency of freight rates be- cause of the lifting of water compe- tition.
 Now that Alabama is becoming an important exporting state, it is essen- 'ial that the industries have low trans portation rates in order that they may compete with other localities seeking the same markets. Such favoring rates enabled the steel industries at Birmingham, for example, to continue at high rate of production during a period of depression in similar indus tries elsewhere. The same factors would tend to keep all Alabama prod ucts moving when there is stagnation in other sections less favored by na- ture in their appeal to rates. The waterways help to keep rates down and to continue the process of rate reduction, but the seaport is the crown of the waterways, and the extent to which it is patronized determines the permanence of low competitive rates and gives promise of still more re- auctions.
 Ports are patronized in accordance with the excellence of the mediums which bring them tonnage from the in- terior and with the adequacy of the facilities with which they are equipped to handle freight between ships and wharves. To ships time is money, and a day less in port means several hundred and, in case of the larger vessels, even several thousand dol lars saved in expense without profit. Therefore, ships are attracted not only by cargo but also by the speed and economy by means of which that cargo may be transferred from wharf to ship or from ship to wharf. Mod ern cranes, hoists, shifts, escalators, wharf trackage, warehouses and other equipment figure in economy of hand ling cargoes. Some of these the port of Mobile already possesses, and the results of their operation have been so gratifying and productive of reve- nue as to afford plenty of confirma- ton of the belief that further equip ment would be still more profitable and attractive to shipping.
 The legislature will have for it's consideration a complete outline of needed equipment, cost and value of initial port improvement as author ized by the people. There is opportu- nity here for real public service in facilitating in every manner the en- actments necessary to carry out the spirit and purpose of the seaport amendment, so that the people may begin to enjoy at the earliest possible date the fruits of their confidence in the seaport's ability to serve this com monwealth.
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 TOO MUCH CREDIT?