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Up and Down the Great Lakes Bulk Freight Heavy—Lake Levels—Ore Shipments—American & Canadian Grain—Coal—Supervising Inspector—Vessels in Operation Great Lakes so far this year is showing a remarkable increase over last year. According to Canadian government statistics, freight through the locks at Sault Ste. Marie, for May, 1934 amounted to 5,744,695 tons, as compared with 3,490,336 tons during May, 1933. Wheat shipments were lighter than last year by 6,668,297 bushels, or 23 per cent, but other grains increased by 3,572,831 bush- els. Iron ores increased from 953,- 152 tons to 2,611,241 tons. Bitumi- nous coal increased from 821,273 tons to 1,525,604 tons. Freight through the Welland ship eanal during the month of May this year broke all previous records for the same month in former years. The total freight movement for May this year was 1,287,121 tons as compared with 1,165,853 tons in May, 1931, the previous high May record, and 1,109,132 tons in May last year. Wheat was lighter than in 1933 by 148,570 tons, or 4,952,300 bushels, but all other grains were much heavi- er than last year. Bituminous coal increased by 152,244 tons. Iron ore increased by 33,448 tons. No iron ore passed through in May, 19338. Total traffic using the St. Lawrence canals in May this year amounted to 978,625 tons as against 835,540 tons in May, 1933. Bituminous coal in- creased by 52,556 tons, gasoline by 30,197 tons, pulpwood by 26,471 tons, rye by 20,588 tons, oats by 19,- 029 tons, petroleum and oils by 14,- 906 tons, and iron and steel by 12,- 488 tons. Wheat decreased by 87,637 tons and flour by 8401 tons. Bie freight movement on the Tugboatmen’s Strike The anticipated prompt settlement of the strike of tugboatmen employed by the Great Lakes Towing Co. did not materialize. The men originally walked out on May 16 and 17 and returned to work on May 18 after accepting a proposal made by G. A. Tomlinson, president of the Great Lakes Towing Co., to abide by the findings of an impartial arbitrator to be selected by the national labor board. H. Gilbert Francke was appointed as impartial arbitrator by the na- tional labor’ board. Mr. Francke brought in his findings on May 31. The men did not accept these find- ings and walked out on June 1 and 2. As this is written a strike has been going on for three weeks. The company takes the position that it agreed with the men to accept the findings of the arbitrator on all questions in dispute, including wages and hours of service. Its position continues the same. The company’s proposal incorporated a guarantee of 200 days work in the year, at $9 per day, for licensed men and an equal number of days per year at $6.50, for firemen and linesmen. It was held by the arbitrator that the company’s proposal would guarantee the greatest possible income for the greatest number and he recommend- ed that the men accept this proposal. This the men refused to do. May Lake Levels The United States Lake survey re- ports the following monthly mean stages of the Great Lakes for the month of May 1934, determined from daily readings of staff gages. Feet above Lakes mean sea level DUDEMOM a hee ee 602.49 Michigan-Huron _............ 577.86 Dl Claire arr eee ear 573.44 d eDiltg ook cae ens aan Gre aa ita 570.35 ONGATION Acces ae ee ee 244.48 Lake Superior was 0.32 foot higher than in April and it was 0.12 foot above the May stage of a year ago. Lakes Michigan-Huron were (0.22 foot higher than in April and they were 0.64 foot below the May stage of a year ago. Lake Erie was 0.23 foot higher than in April and it was 1.76 feet below the May stage of a year ago. Lake Ontario was 0.21 foot higher than in April and it was 0.84 foot be- low the May stage of a year ago, 1.78 feet below the average stage of May of the last ten years. Passenger Lines Active Several steamship lines operating out of Chicago have commenced oper- ations earlier than usual this year, and advanced bookings indicate one of the most active seasons in a num- ber of years. Reopening of A Cen- tury of Progress is an important factor in stimulating lake traffic. The Chicago, Duluth & Georgian Bay Transit Co. sent out its first boat June 8 from Chicago for northern ports, whereas for years the official MARINE REVIEwW—July, 1934 opening of cruises has come on June 21. The Chicago & Milwaukee Steamship line started services be- tween Chicago and Milwaukee on June 24, while the Great Lakes Transit Corp. began operations from Chicago on June 30. Heavy Ore Shipments Ore shipments from upper lake ports during the month of May this year showed an increase of nearly 200 per cent over the month of May, 1933. In May this year, 2,630,578 tons of ore were shipped from upper lake ports, compared to 900,534 tons of ore in the month of May, 1933. No ore was shipped in April of this year. Therefore, the total shipment of ore for the season, up to June i, 1934, was 2,630,578 tons, compared with 983,744 tons of ore for the season of 1933 up to June 1. The increase in ore shipments dur- ing May this year over the month of May, 1933, amounted to 1,730,044 tons or 192.11 per cent. The in- crease in ore shipments for the sea- son, up to June 1 this year, as com- pared with the same period in 1933, amounted to 1,646,834 tons, or 167.4 per cent. The shipments of ore by rail from Lake Hrie ports to furnace during the month of May amountd to 1,264,446 tons; making a total for the season up to June 1 of 1,680,671 tons. On June 1, 1934 the balance on dock at Lake Erie ports was 4,379,795 tons as compared with 4,906,953 tons on June 1. 1933. American Grain Shipments Grain shipments by water from Duluth from Jan. 1 to June 15 to- taled 13,682,030 bushels, while re- ceipts during the same period were 11,857,169 bushels, according to re- ports from the Duluth board of trade. Wheat led in shipments witi 5,779,827 bushels, the movement of corn being 2,737,761 bushels and of oats 3,326,633 bushels. These com- pare with receipts of 8,191,858 bushels of wheat, 2,170,473 bushels of corn and 493,421 bushels of oats. Shipments from Chicago to June 1 showed a decrease compared with last year, the water movement being 6,944,000 bushels against 13,150,000. (Continued on Page 40) 33