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March, 1925 barges now are being loaded for the ninth trip to be started in a_ short time. When the $10,000,000 dock and har- bor improvements now under way at Mobile, Ala., are completed there will come into being a port of immense im- portance not only to the South but also to vast portions of the Middle West. Lo- cated right on the Gulf of Mexico, served with important railroads, and being the outlet for the Warrior river develop- ment back in to northern Alabama, Mo- bile’s future seems assured. But of even more importance, Mobile then will have become the gateway for the shipment of iron, steel, coal, and cotton from many southern fur- naces, mills mines and plantations to domestic as well as foreign consuming points. Her influenvce will be felt from the Atlantic to the Pacific coasts. And southern industry will have re- ceived a highly stimulating outlet. When the estate of Alabama decided a couple of years ago to undertake the port development at Mobile, the best engineering, shipping and commercial talent of the state was enlisted. The state commission was headed for a time by George G. Crawford, president of the Tennessee Coal Iron & Railroad Co., and his services still are available to it. However, Gen. W. L. Sibert, who made an enviable record during the war, now is the chairman of the commission. It will be remembered that General Sibert a score of years ago was in charge of much government dam construction involved in Ohio river improvements. Got Busy Last Fall The commission under General Sibert got busy last autumn. Just a few days ago the report of the general for the year ending Dec. 31 last was made to Gov. W. W. Brandon, of Alabama, showing the resources for new port construction of $1,070,214.65. The proposals and plans of the en- gineers employed by the commission call for an ultimate expenditure of $10,000,000. Proceedings have just been commenced in court to move the Mo- bile & Ohio railroad tracks from the proposed site of various docks. The work of moving the tracks of the Louisville & Nashville railroads will be pushed vigorously this year, accord- ing to General Sibert’s plans. Propos- als for new bridges in the locality have been submitted to the war department. Sibert’s reports says: “As soon as the plan of the bridges is approved, it is the intention of the commission to enter into contracts to build the piers. This work will prob- ably consume four or five months. No MARINE REVISE W general contracts can be let covering the construction of the docks proper until the Louisville & Nashville rail- road is moved, thus making the site available for such work.” General Sibert has been given author- ity to purchase a dredge boat to cost $270,000 delivered at Mobile, and to ex- change land of the commission with the Louisville & Nashville railroad for the location of piers. The battle in the courts ‘with the Mobile & Ohio rail- road, the latter not desiring to surren- der land which the commissions claims is needed for further port improvement is expected to be a lively affair. It began recently. Further Warrior river improvements including the assignment of steel barges CAPTAIN ASA DAVISON Vice president Emergency Fleet Corporation to the route are expected to take place right along. This water route affords the Birmingham iron and steel district its gateway to the ocean. The town of Birmingport on the Warrior river is only about a dozen miles from Bir- mingham and is connected with the steel center by the Ensley Southern railroad. Congress in its recently passed urgent deficiency bill has authorized the expenditure of $3,000,000 on the Warrior river. Hence, if the Warrior river advocates can persuade the Ten- nessee Coal, Iron & Railroad Co., to allow its railroad, the Birmingham Southern to operate the Ensley Southern railroad now in the hands of a receiver it will then open up Bir- mingham’s splendid industrial district to the Warrior route and thence down the river to Mobile. Barges already have been down the Warrior river to operated New Or- 97 leans and into the Mississippi river, but recently this scheme was split and the Warrior now is going along more on its own. The Tennessee company has been using it for bringing in man- ganese iron ore from abroad, and has something like 22 steel barges operat- ing on the route. Many thousand tons of products have already been moved to the sea over it. When the Mobile port improvements have been completed, it is easy to see the Warrior river route into and out of Birmingham will have a most im- portant bearing upon the trade of the South, the Southwest and the Pacific coast via the Panama canal. Capt. Asa : Davison Joins Fleet Corporation Captain Asa Davison, recently re- signed as marine superintendent of the United Fruit Co., will become vice president of the Emergency Fleet Corp. in charge of operations, succeeding in this position Joseph Sheedy who takes charge abroad for the corporation. He shipped before the mast on _ his fifteenth birthday and was made master of a sailing ship when he was 21 years old. From sail he went to steam in command of the steamer FoxHALL of the United Fruit Co. As the Fruit company added larger and more modern vessels to its passenger. and banana fleet, Captain Davison pro- gressed and when they came out he was given command of the famous Admiral steamers, the FARRAGUT, SCHLEY, DEWEY and Sampson, and closed his career afloat as commander of the CALAMARES, the flagship of the Fruit company’s great white fleet. On coming ashore he became assistant manager of the marine department and scon after he was appointed general man- ager. During a period of six years he had entire charge of the construction of the largest vessels of the Fruit company and their subsequent operation in service. During the war Captain Davison op- erated fruit vessels that were under the control of the British admiralty. His activities kept him in constant touch with the British ministry of ship- ping in London, and the insight which he then obtained into British methods of shipping should be of the greatest value now in competing with them for a portion of the ocean trade. Justin Griess, vice president of the McMyler-Interstate Co., Bedford, O., died Feb. 25, aged 51. He was one of the founders of the concern, which is widely known for building cranes and cargo handling equipment. An engineer of wide reputation his loss will be great- ly felt.