The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-08-03
Construction Of the Panama Canal
Will Cause Great Revival in
Navigation.
IMPROVEMENTS CONSIDERED.
Chairman Burton of Congressional
Committee Now Touring Eu-
rope to Gather Data for
Future Works.
The Republic Bureau.

1tth st. and Fennsylvhnia Avn
Washington. Aug. Representative Bur-
ton of Ohio, who is now making a tour OF
Europe for the purpose OF inspecting river
and harbor improvements. doubtless will
collect much information which will in
fluence the river and harbor appropriations
OF the next Congress.
Strife between members OF Congress who
are interested in the Improvement Of
streams in the interior, and members who
have districts along the coast. promises to
be fiercer than ever the coming session, and
politicians are eagerly awaiting the appoint
nent OF the members who will make up the
committee that is to control the river and
harbor appropriations.
1t has been suggested recently that the To-
catities which are directly benefited by I'm
provementS should share the cost Of them
with the general Government. Representa-
ttves who are interested in inland rivers say
the members from along the coast did not
make this discovery until the coast had
been well cared for. and insist 1t is time that
the interior should have a larger share Of
the improvements.
As chairman of the House Committee on
Rivers and Harbors, Mr. Burton has had
wide experience with shipping interests and
mas acquired an extensive knowledge of the
conditions which exist along all the prin-
cipal streams In the United States. He has
Travelled in Europe before, but his present
trip Is FOR the sole purpose of investigating
narpors and European streams.
FOREIGN WORKS
AT present Mr.. Burton and his compan-
ions are in Denmark. The party first visited
the streams and ports Of France, making a
special study Of the extensive canalization
OF streams In that country. The party then
IN all ri Day-~
After inspecting Swedish and Danish i'm
provements, Mr.. Burton will go to Constan-
tinople and then to Egypt where he viii in
t sp ns;t the great Assouan dam and other ex-
to control the water Of the Nile.
The Ohio River Improvement Association
has been working for years to have the
manner that good stage OF water may, be
maintained throughout the year. The as
ISOLATION first wanted six-foot stage. It
similar demands come from the Mississippi
valley and one OF the great problems be-
fore Congress IS whether 1t shall continue
take the extensive and permanent improve
adopted in Francs e and other European san
Farming and manufacturing interests in
eist that the streams must be improved
for the purpose of affording competition for
the railroads, and the railroads oppose cx-
tensive canalixation schemes. Many mem
bers Of Congress believe that all streams
Of any size can be converted into canals II
the localities will share the expense with
the Government, but this plan is not adj
vocated extensively, as It is very unpopular
with the people along streams which are
believed to be suitable for canalization.
WATER TRANSPORTATION.
The Ohio River Improvement Association
has fought this plan bitterly, and similar
opposition has come from the States tribu-
tary to the Mississippi. 1t is urged by local.
tiles having streams susceptible Of Improve
rnent that the Panama Canal will make
the improvement OF interior streams i'm
perative. Water transportation. It is said,
ID urged that the Mississippi and all its
main tributaries must be converted into
feeders for the canal across the Isthmus.
Dreams are entertained of bringing the
great lakes closer to the Panama Canal by
way Of the Illinois and Mississippi rivers.
The lower Mississippi country is in favor
Of the canalization scheme, as 1t Is promised
that the excessive flow OF water in the
spring will be checked and the necessity for
gigantic levees obviated. Bayous and
swampy lowlands along the rivers could be
converted. i Is said, into reservoirs. in
Great dams would regulate the now, and
locks would make 1t possible for vessels to
pass the dams.