The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-05-01
WATERWAYS ARE PROFITABLE

knowledge of what the barge service on
the Mississippi Warrior service has been &C
tually worth to shippers using it proves the
soundness of the federal investment in such
an enterprise. 1t is calculated from the rec
ords that in the thirty months of their sue
cessful operation the waterways have saved
shippers $2d73,770, as compared with what
they would have had to pay over all-rail
routes. 1t is significant that the tonnage
carried by the barges has shown a steady
increase from the very beginning. In 1919
the total tonnage was 100000 tons; in 1922,
655,7s9 tons; in 1923, 10000 tons In
asmuch as the charge by all-water or by
joint rail and water hauls averages LAO a
ton less than all-rail hauls, it is readily per-
ceived that the public advantage arising
from the operation of the barge lines is very
Important %.
The total saving credited to the barge lines
for 1923 is ,$994,000 This sum would be
a five per cent earning on an investment of
S19,SS0. 900. Inasmuch as the patronage of
the barge lines annually increases, it is
easily apparent that in few years the
saving to shippers will represent an annual
saving equal to five per cent. on sum
much greater than the public investment in
waterways. This is to take no account Of
such profitable operation of the service as to
show an annual balance in the waterways
treasury OFF, sum sufficient to set aside as
a sinking fund eventually to retire the cost.
The computations also take no account
of the competitive reductions in all-rail rates
to meet the rivalry of the barge service in
certain territory, This rail-rate reduction,
due entirely to the existence of the barge
lines, must amount to a sum far greater than
the saving credited to the waterways. Thus
there is already to the credit of the water
ways a public saving representing five per
cent. interest on q sum much in excess Of
the public investment in waterways AS the
patronage of the waterways increases, and
as the equipment is expanded and made more
efficient, the annual saving will mount into
figures not at present to be calculated.
Therefore, the announcement that the gov
eminent is about to add a considerable ap-
preparation for the maintenance and further
developmentSof the inland waterways and
barge lines Is received with public approval.
Public money expended in this manner is not
a burden on the taxpayer, but relief from
the burden of transportation overhead.
There is needed also those further adjust
ments of rate divisions for Joint hauls in
order that the waterways may not be forced
to bear in the future a disproportionate
share of the transportation expense and re-
ceive therefor disproportionately small
share of the,Fevenues.
With theg barge lines put on paying
basis, as they so easily can be, the period
rapidly approaches when they may be turned
over to private operation at an annual rental
compensatory to the public treasury. There
is no uncertainty as to the equipment and
rate adjustments necessary to the water
ways financial success. There is lacking
only the readiness on the part of the proper
federal authorities to act i'll the behalf of
this important transportation medium. 1t
is hoped that this unnecessary delay will soon
be dissolved and that the waterways will be
permitted fully to serve the purpose for
which they were first intended.