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262 "TAE Marine REVIEW S July, 1910 The Port of New Orleans S a port, the city of New Orleans presents some _ per- plexing problems to the bus- iness world. This is the consensus of opinion among maritime men, planters, exporters and freight for- warding brokers, both here and through- out that territory which is tributary to By E. Lb. Hawes. lem of labor domination by the levee unions, thirteen of which have an affili- ated membership of more than 13,000 and completely control the municipal political situation in critical moments. Even the most pessimistic concede that the obstacles are merely of a temporary nature and such as can be cured by ES Tue Ittinois CENTRAL Fruit WHarr, SHOWING CENTRAL AMERICAN FRUIT VESSELS UNLOADING CARGOES BY MACHINERY. this metropolis. The problems arise chiefly from two causes, steamship dis- criminations and the extraordinary ex- pense of labor and handling charges. These obstacles are so great that during the past two years the state government has expended more than $40,000 in an investigation and no one has received any satisfaction from it with the ex- ception, possibly of some labor unions. Yet despite these drawbacks, which are openly confessed by all classes of bus- iness men, the commerce is steadily on the increase and the shippers are work- ing with commendable courage against political pressure and gang administra- tion towards a solution. The greatest increase has been in the coffee importa- tions, which in ten years have grown from 300,000 bags per annum to more than 2,500,000 or a value of more than $25,000,000. The business men are not discouraged, however, as plans are now being developed for, the construction of large storage warehouses which will be equipped with labor saving devices which it is stated, will reduce the handling charges about $1.05 a ton less than at present. These will also solve the prob- ° aggressive action on the part of public spirited men. It is undeniable that the harbor of New Orleans is unsurpassed on the American continent. Already administrated by the there is 4%4 miles of wharf front im- proved with modern and almost inde- structible steel sheds costing more than $2,500,000. Contracts are about to be let for another shed 3,176 ft. in length and 200 ft. wide, which with its equip- ments, will cost $320,000. These facili- ties are all under public control, being Board of Port Commissioners, a body of public spirit- ed and energetic men appointed by the state without regard to political affilia- tion. They have plans for the improve- ment of wharf. space over a much larger area and it is hoped ultimately that the wharf frontage of New Orleans will be in excess of 30 miles on either side of the river. The harbor affords -a safe roadstead in storms, being 110 miles from the open sea and of an ay- erage width of % mile and depth of 250 ft. in the channel. In fact, a battleship can come wtp to the wharf and be tied up as the average depth at the berths is about 30 ft. This was done last year, when the battleship Mississippi made her celebrated cruise up to Natchez, the head of deep water navigation, more than 400 miles from the mouth. And not alone have millions been spent on the public wharves. Two of the greatest railroad systems of Amer- ica, the Illinois Central and the' Southern and Frisco railroads, have built and im- proved wharves at both ends of the public water front. The Stuyvesant docks of the first named lines are more than a mile in length, with an average STOWING Cotton sy Hanp IN ONE oF THE LArGE BritisH CoTron CARRIERS. Da