Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-01-10

Results Of the Federal Government g
experiments In river barge transporta-
ton are noted with great satisfaction
by the press of the Mississippi Valley
and are pointed to as proof Of the vast
possibilities for improved transporta-
ton conditions and cheaper rates
through extension OF the present expert
mental system.
THE annual report of the Missis-
sippi Valley Association on results OF
the operation of Federal barge lines on
the lower Mississippi" says the st.
Louis Times. us a complete vindicat'on
OF every argument advanced In the days
Of the initial struggle to get the enter
prise on It's feet. The report discloses
the transport Of larger gross amount
OF freight than in any previous season.
The line was not placed in service until
1918. In Its FIRST Ave years OF opera
ton 1t saved shippers s2.2i4o00. Each
season since 1928 1t has increased its
tonnage and its record OF freight saving
10 patrons. In 1925 this saving footed
81 ,82S. 900. In 1927 1t topped the record.
81 $50, 600 Without doubt the $4,000
600 mark will be left behind in 1929"
Progress is observed by the Portland
few months new gateways will be
opened in many upper Mississippi ports.
and large population will receive the
benefit OF lower freight rates in and
out. At the new ports" continues that
paper. "toint rail and water rates will
be established. which will give the lower
rates TO communities well into the in
terror.
The farm districts will have lower
rate for their outbound products. and
a better inlet for the manufactured
goods they require. proiiting both ways
through larger receipts for what they
sell and less expenditure for what they
buy"
The journal adds that "portlanders
can scarcely read all this without think
ing of the similar use that should be
made Of the Columbia River. That
great waterway. second only TO the
Mississippi in America. can. by removal
OF existing distractions. be made to
serve the same end in reducing freight
rates"
Nobody wants the Government to 90
permanently into the transportation
business on the rivers or anywhere
else" states the Kansas City Star. But
the Government has assumed the ohli-
CATION OF doing the pioneering on the
rivers. Of demonstrating the feasibility
OF this form OF shipping. The obliga-
ton will not be discharged nor will the
best interests Of the section be served
until a complete waterway system shall
have been established. Then II will be
time for private ownership and ope-
ration" On the subject Of sale 10 a
private concern. The Star comments:
1T In quite conceivable that the line
or lines now being operated at n proiit
might be taken over by a private corpo-
ration and continued with success. But
what would become of the Missouri
River project what would become Of
other projects ~ similar kindp What
would become OF the entire plan Of an
inland waterway system2"
The Government. IL seems 10 the
Minneapolis Tribune. should make lis
demonstration adequate To the case,
whatever investment may be necessary
10 make IL al THIS appears 10 be good
business policy" continues that, paper.
~ only 10 Insure that the Govern
ments investment already may he safe
guarded against loss The more
thorough and successful the demonstra-
ton the better bargain will the Gov
stnnsnt br able 10 make with private
interests when IL comes time To turn
over the barge lines 10 such interests Is
In support Uf hn extension OF existing
facilities, the Chicago Tribune declares
that The present barge routes could uae
three times thu equipment they now
pOssess," and that they have been
fotoed IN turn down twice AS muci,
freight IN they were able To carry
CitinR the nearly two millions saved "a
shippers IN 1927 the Tribune believes
that Illinois would like 10 get IN on
this saving" and emphasizes legislation
before Congress 10 require the Inland
waterways Corporation, the Govern
ment organization operating the Mis-
sissitpi and Warrior River barge lines
10 Initiate waterway transportation an
the Illinois River, Illinois waterway,
sanitary flsHIel fanh kaa AsaAspip