The Washington times., 1903-10-12
RIVER AND RARBOR BILL
LIKELY TO BE LIMITED
Poor Prospect for Liberal
Appropriations.
OHIO MEMBERS IN QUANDARY
Improvement of River Demanded by
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES of Govern
ment and Individual Contributions.

with the question pushed 70 the front
OF how river improvements should be
paid Tor, and with the probability almost
certain that Speaker Cannon viii OPP
pose any extensive scheme Of river
canalization, the prospects are not fiat
tering for river and harbor bin which
viii do more than make appropriations
for work already authorized and for re
pairs needed to protect existing i'm
provemcnts. Representative Burton. OF
Ohio. chairman OF the Rivers and Har-
bors Committee OF the last Congress. has
reached this conclusion. it is said,
though he viii not make the prediction
for publication.
1t cannot be denied that with the
clamor for Ohio River Improvements.
on the one hand. and with the cOnten-
ton of Eastern Representatives In Con-
gress that the expense of such improve
ments should be shared by the interests
directly benefited. on the other hand.
Ohio Representative find themselves in
an unenviable position. Some persons
who have observed the situation closely
go so far as to say the question may
have the effect of changing the entire
personnel of the Ohio delegation in
Congress.
Ohio Business Mems Demand.
The wants OF Ohio business men in the
way OF canalizing the river and making
other improvements have taken the
form of demands. They do not take
kindly TO the proposition that munich
palities along the river and the interests
benefited. shall pay the greater part
or at least one-half of the expense OF
improvements. They argue that the
Governments has always borne the cost
Of river and harbor improvements and
II is not justice now 20 insist upon ans
other method
For two sessions Of Congress the plan
has been advocated 10 canalize al
rivers of sufficient size in order 10 In
sure a continuance Of navigation Ohio
business men have been particularly
active in this respect and are making
it a political issue. Practically every
Representative IN Congress. and both
/ Senator's from that State are pledged
to work for thc success of the scheme
/ II authorized. il would mean an item
Of several million in the river and har-
Dor bill, or. to be exact an appropria
ton which would have to extend ever
a period Of several years.
Ground Of Opposition.
] The plan was opposed on the grounC
/ that municipalities. corporations. and
the shipping Interests using the rivel
/ should bear one-half of the cost Thi,
has been the attitude Of a maiorit,
/ Of the House members, including Pep
] resentatives who have succeeded &.
getting the Government 10 make iarg,
appropriations for coast barbOrs with
out contending that the shipping an,
/ business interests most vitality affected
should paw q portion Of the cost.
Ohio now insists upon getting in OF
I The same basis and argues that tn,
coast interests obtained practical,
/ everything they wanted before discover
ing that in Justice TO the country a
large There interests should pay a par
Of the cost
ONO Representatives in Congress ar,
expected TO overcome the objections Z.
/ appropriations by the Government. fail
ing ~ which the Representatives viii
incur thu wrath Of their constituencies
To say that these Representatives ar
worrying would be putting the cas-
mildly