Omaha daily bee., 1889-08-06
THE WATERWAYS CONVENTION.

1f1b WAIHhW AIS GUN v EN IfON.
The convention to discuss the uavi-
cation interests OF the great lakes, in
their relations to the commercial inter-
ests OF the west and northwest, will
meet at Superior, Wisconsin, to-day.
The subject to be considered is certainly
OF very great Importance. As the pro-
moters OF the convention say, the
question of appropriations by tho gen.
eral government for deepening and
otherwise improving the great water
ways OF the country is one upon which
hinges largely the prosperity OF our
national commerce. To the north
west especially the subject of
transportation by the great lakes IS one
of the greatest concern in its relation
TO the ability of that section to retain
for itself the markets of Europe for
grain and flour, and it is in the highest
sense expedient that the commercial
bodies of the west and northwest, rep
resented in convention, should indicate
to congress what are the needs of those
sections in the matter of improving the
waterways which are the natural out
lets for their products. There has been
too little interest hitherto manifested
in this matter, and the time IS certainly
at hand for these sections to exert the
activity which the Importance of this
waterways question demands.
How great this is may be understood
from the estimated value of the lake
commerce OF seven lake cities, includ-
ing also Lake Superior, for the year
1888. AS indicated by custom house and
canal reports, this commerce amounted
to over five hundred million dollars,
and when to this is added the commerce
which does not show In American Gus
toms Office reports, and that which in
cludes Canadian ports, there is given u
grand total Of over one thousand million
dollars, a value very nearly equal to
that Of the total exports and imports
of the United States last year. OBJ
viously the channels of this vast COM
merce are entitled to every possible
care and attention, to the end that
their facilities and advantages shall be
main tanned, and enlarged and i'm
proved as the growing demands upon
them shall require. But, Indispensable
as these waterways manifestly are to
the commerce of the west and north
west, and to it's profitable development,
they are hardly less important as safe
guard against the eXactions Of
railroads upon the products of
these sections. According to esti-
mates, the annual saving from
the transportation of products
by the water routes between the east
and west, on the basis of railroad rates
a year ago, exceeds thirty million dol
lars annually, sum the benefits of
which are shared by both the producers
and consumers. Such an exhibit is GER
talnly strong argument in favor of a
generous policy with regard to these
water channels OF commerce.
The danger that confronts the water
ways convention is In committing itself
to unnecessary or impracticable pro-
jects. 1t will undoubtedly have urged
upon its attention, as other similar
conventions have had. schemes
the benefits of which would be purely
local. 1t should have nothing to do
with such. Members of congress from To-
calities mainly interested only in selfish
designs upon the public treasury should
be allowed the sole privilege of FOSTER
ing local projects. The business of the
convention which meets to-day should
be to consider and recommend only
broad policy in relation to the water
ways winch would have results for the
general welfare.