The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-07-08
THE SEAPORT IS ACTIVE

l recent developments show both how the seaport's bid for commerce is strength ened and how commerce is responding. The federal government will spend one hundred and eighty-one thousand dollars during ths present fiscal year on the channel and harbor. This expenditure will be principally for maintenance, for keeping the channel dredged out to it's maximum depth and free from silt de- posits. The city of Mobile has appro- priated thirty-five thousand dollars for municipal dock terminal, which will render the municipal dock much more efficient than at present.
 The transactions preliminary to the construction of the projected state ter minals are reported as almost completed. Several small parcels of land are yet to be acquired by the dock commission, after which the dredging and initial con- struction will be undertaken. Not only will the facilities thus provided furnish accommodation for quick handling or storage of a great additional tonnage, but the track encouragement will make impossible. any railroad maneuvers tend ding to stiflei icompetition of rival roads entering the seaport. Switching charges and regulations imposed by railroads con- trolling waterfront terminals have been to the seaport's disadvantage in the past. Under the administration of the state dock commission such charges will be uniform and impartially assessed. Hence forth no railroad can block or impede the approach of any other railroad to shipside. .:..
 Six hundred thousand dollars will be spent this year, beginning August 1, on Warrior lock facilities and channel inn provements to expedite the movement of barges through locks and in period of low water.z-This additional channel ca pacity, together with the formation of the Warrior barge corporation, is ex- pected materially to expand the Warrior service. Naturally, all this is further contributory to the seaport and to the success of the state undertaking. <' The prospect of several new barges of the most modern type to be added to the Warriors floating equipment means that the service will be obliged to turn away less tonnage in future, and perhaps even to stimulate new and increased offer ings. Several railroads have made new alliances that will contribute to barge tonnage, factor that promises more patronage of the state terminals, thus giving additional insurance of their financial success.
 That commerce is responding to the port influence is unmistakably shown by the figures. For example, more than seven thousand tons of Alabama cargo went by way of Mobile to the Pacific Coast last week. Most of this comes from the Birmingham district, and is of nature that promises not only to be permanent but also to increase as the Pacific market expands. The constant growth of Birmingham's output is as sured, and Mobile is the logical port outlet. More than a million feet of lumber is scheduled to move through Mobile to North Atlantic ports during the present week. This movement is over single line of steamers and takes no account of other lumber moving out ward to other destinations. Cotton and other commodities likewise show high totals. -
 The increased offerings of tonnage at Mobile have resulted in the establishment of new or expanded steamship lines, Shipping is very sensitive to tonnage in vitation. One line of steamers has re- sive handling of tonnage through Mo bile. According to the June report of the dock commission, more ships arrived in Mobile during that month than for any single month since April, 1921. The tonnage of these ships for last June greatly exceeded that of June, 1922. The total tonnage of merchandise handled through the port during last June was greater than for any June during the past ten years. Records before 1914 were not available, at the time this re- port was made public.
 All this is healthy indication, partic- ularly in view of the fact that during June there was general falling-off in tonnage for the entire country. If Mo- bile gains at time when ports in gen eral are quieter, the fact is very encour- aging and significant. Mobiles tonnage is primarily reflective of Alabama ac- tivity ,and therefore is a very good barometer of Alabama prosperity and progress.
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 NOMEN AT TIL. CONNENTION