The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-07-03
VITAL TO ALABAMA's SEAPORT

part ana to Wnlcn one mas an oDIlgaClon. VITAL TO ALABAMA'S SEAPORT The effort of the state of Alabama to induce the federal government to group the railroads entering Mobile in such a manner as to attract increased tonnage to the seaport is justifiable act. The federal government is concerned be- cause it has already spent millions of dollars in improving the channel and har- bor at Mobile. The state of Alabama is concerned because it contemplates the expenditure of millions of dollars in the equipment of the port with all modern facilities for the efficient handling and storage of merchandise. This great in- vestment of state and federal govern ments demands that there be return in the way of service to commerce by way of Alabama's seaport. In the past there has been considerable railroad favoritism to other seaports at the ex- pense of Mobile. That favoritism is gradually being corrected, and the off, lending railroads are now seeking to make the friends of the seaport aware of new railroad attitude.
 Nevertheless, the public welfare can- not be entrusted to the mercies of any private interests. On tine contrary, it must be safeguarded i'll the most secure and impregnable manner. AS far as the seaport at Mobile is concerned, the safe guards consist in part in properly equip ping the port to handle an immense ton mage, and in part ill bringing about fav- orable conditions of rates and of routes, in order that the ships may always be assured of cargoes. The present close association between the Mobile and Ohio and the Southern Railway has been det- rimental to the seaport, for it has re- of tonnage that would legitimately come to Mobile. The Interstate Commerce Commission has given formal opinion that the policy of the Southern Railway has been prejudicial to the seaport at Mobile. Beyond that authority the peo- pie do not need to look for further proof, although such proof exists.
 Therefore, the official representation of the state of Alabama to the govern ment and to the Interstate Commerce Commission recites at logical length the reasons why it is of advantage, not only to the seaport, but also to large pro- 1 1 4 ,pI Northwest, that the Mobile and Ohio be grouped with the St. Louis and San Francisco Railroad. This railroad, reaching deeply into the grain-producing district, has already manifested a dis position to seek shipside at Mobile, through its rate connections with the Warrior barge lines, and it is believed that this inter-relationship may be more closely woven by more direct railway al- liance with railroads entering Mobile. There would then be no longer a di- vided purpose with respect to export out let for goods delivered over the Mobile and Ohio.
 In similar manner and for related req sons the state of Alabama officially asks that the Gulf, Mobile and Northern Rail- road be grouped with the Illinois Gen. tral, which serves territory nearer to Mobile than to any ether seaport. Mo bile furnishes the most direct route for goods from these originating territories for ships passing through the Panama Canal or making other ports in Central and South America. Indeed, the south ward pull of the Gulf ports and the Pan anna Canal has proved so powerful that even the port of Vancouver in Canada is alarmed at the tonnage it is losing from Ottawa and Winnepeg. Mobile is in strong position to attract tonnage from distance as yet uncalculated, provided she is given the proper rail groupings and the logical rail connections with the great interior.
 It is hoped that the Interstate Com merce Commission will not regard it's duty of grouping the railroads as a mere perfunctory gesture to be carried through in a routine manner. On the contrary, it is hoped that the representa- tions made by Governor Brandon and his associates as to Mobiles rail require ments will cause the commission to real ize how vital and even commercially rev olutionary certain groupings may be. And as final urgency it is hoped that the commission will perceive the great increment in public benefit that will re- suit from carrying ou: the program of rail grouping suggested by the Alabama officials as affecting Mobile.
 ------2-----@s--------=
 RESERVE BANKS REPORT
 | Tho y,on+bl,, b,,.;,o.. ,.o,,;o,,, ;.,,,ol