The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

244 THE MARINE REVIEW July, 1917 A GASOLINE TUG IS USED ON THE CHICAGO-JOLIET RUN the monthly gross earnings of a simi- lar requisitioned British cargo steamer. “The material advantage to the na- tion afforded by the British shipowner is obvious from these figures, and is recognized and appreciated by our government, and by everybody who has any real knowledge of shipping, its attendant risks, its fluctuations, its intricacies and its adventurous un- certainties. “Since these blue book rates were instituted working expenses in every single item have increased _ enor- mously, and continue to do so, but since March .1, 1915, when a small increase was granted to ocean tramps, which is included in the rate of hire before cited, no increase in rates of hire has been granted to meet the increased working costs, which arse materially heavier than: at that date. “That is the position as regards requisitioned British tonnage and blue book rates, and illustrates how ship- ping property has been dealt with by the government, and what the ship- owners have done and are doing, in the national interests during this great war.” Capt. B. T. Eastaway, for many years in employ of the Allan line between Bos- ton and Glasgow, was killed recently. Carrying Freight by River and Canal One of the economic lessons which the war has begun to teach is the value of utilizing the inland water routes for freight transportation. The part which New York’s rebuilt barge canal can play this year in carrying grain to the sea- board is being studied seriously. The congestion of traffic on the railroads all over the country has directed renewed attention to the country’s other inland rivers and canals. Some months before the war broke out, but while the traffic situation was becoming more serious, the River & Canal Transit ~Co., Chicago, purchased a gasoline tug and a 75-ton barge and began to carry package freight from Chicago to Joliet, Ill, by way of the Chicago river, the drainage canal and the Desplaines river. The tug and barge are shown in the accompanying illustrations. The Chicago dock is at the foot of Orleans street, close to the wholesale district and conveniently located for shippers. A round trip from Chicago to Joliet is made each night, about 5 hours being required to cover the 40 miles between the two cities. This allows time for discharging and loading cargoes. To enlarge the field of the water line, a joint traffic arrangement has been made with the Chicago, Ottawa & Péoria railway, an electric interurban line 85.36 miles long, serving 16 towns in the IIli- nois river valley. The rates are the same as those made by the railroads and the company oper- ates under the regulations of the Illinois public utilities commission. The Illinois freight classification governs. An express service is also maintained with pick-up and delivery at rates some- what under those of companies operating on railroads. The Transit company has been carry- ing freight since November and is build- ing up business steadily, as the service is appreciated for its speed and dependa- bility. During the winter season no de- lays of consequence were encountered on ~ account of ice as the current’ in the river and canal prevents thick ice forming sufficiently to close navigation. With an increase in patronage, the Transit company plans to add another barge and enlarge its service. It has been hauling a wide variety of freight, from groceries to iron and steel prod- ucts and shippers find it. a time saver from many points of view. On_ ship- ments of 6000 pounds or over the barge loads direct from any dock in the Chi- cago river without added charge, saving the shipper the cost of cartage. JOLIET THIS BARGE WAS EMPLOYED ALL DURING THE WINTER