The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-05-31
ASSURING WARRIORS SUCCESS.


 ;, liar corporation to operate the govern Iment barge lines is that contemplating such operation for an experimental pe- riod of at least five years. Thus the government specifically commits itself to the waterways project for at least five years more, with every prospect that in the meanwhile the barge lines will be on a self-supporting basis and more. There are certain definite reasons why the War rior, for example, has not shown an operating profit up to this time.
 Colonel T. Q. Ashburn, who is now in charge of waterways and who will be at the head of the new corporation, knows what these impediments to the Warriors success are. He has repeat edly called attention to them, and it is doubtless partly on his representation that the present solution was arrived at. The unfairness of the rate divisions with the railways on joint hauls was empha- sized by Colonel Ashburn and other friends of the barge lines, and this un- fairness was so importunately brought to the attention of the Interstate Com merce Commission by chambers of com merce, traffic managers and members of congress that the commission issued an order modifying this unfairness in part. The question is still moot one; a de- gree of unfairness still exists, and the commission will undoubtedly later make further adjustment in behalf of the barge lines.
 One of the chief obstacles to the suc- cess of the Warrior has been the lack of adequate modern equipment, es- pecislly barges of the most improved type. This need was specifically pointed out last January by the directors of the Port of Birmingham, whose report said: Birmingham and it's industries and its people have kept faith with the govern ment in providing port facilities and in making arrangements that permit the movement of tonnage to and from the district by means of the Warrior river. The government to date has not kept it's part of the bargain that it would fur nish the necessary floating equipment to move the tonnage offered. We have right to expect the government finally to provide this equipment, which is the essential factor now lacking to enable the waterway undertaking to prove itself in large way both useful and profit able"
 To show how this lack of equipment and failure properly to adjust rates have reacted disadvantageouslyt to the patrons of the Warrior, the directors report con- tinues: Because of the loss resulting to the Mississippi Warrior service in the handling of this class of tonnage under the inequitsble divisions allowed by the rail lines, the Warrior river section was compelled to withdraw many of it's tar ifs and to refuse to accept business of this character (joint rail and water ton nage) offered at various points such as Tuscaloosa and DemopoIis." The ad- justed tariffs regulating divisions on joint hauls have been prepared since this report was written, but there is still too great costsburden on the Warrior, part of which should be assigned to the rail lines.
 It is understood that one of the first steps to be taken by Colonel Ashburn under the new arrangement will be to supply the necessary floating equipment to enable the Warrior to resume all of it's former service and to accept all busi- ness offered, situation that has not prevailed since early in the waterways existence. A part of the plan also will be the installation of such equipment as will expedite the handling of cargoes and | thus reduce the turn-around of the barges, adding approximately to the total barge capacity. There is good req son for the friends of the barge service to congratulate themselves that the barge lines are now about to come into their own. Already, even with their op- erating loss, they have carried goods at such a reduction as to save to shippers total of $2,173, ,000, almost half of which is credited to 1923, the third year of the Warriors service. thus showing the cumulative benefit. The importance of further adjustment of joint rate di- visions is shown by the fact that, in 1928, 54.3 per cent. of the total barge tonnage arose from joint hauls. This is merely one of the details, however, that must yet be worked out. Taking it all in all, the prospects for the War flor to serve it's territory efficiently, economically and permanently are brighter than they have ever been. Con- gress has done good stroke of business. | ,.,,,,vI, vD, ,,vxx, r,v,,x, n.pys