The Washington times., 1903-08-02
CLAnOR TO IMPROVE
INLAND WATERWAYS
Prospective Agitation in
Next Congress,
EQUALIZATION ADVOCATED
Congressman Burton Going Through
Europe and to Egypt to Study
Works and Methods.

Representative T. z. Burton OF Ohio,
who is now making tour of Europe for
the purpose of inspecting river and har-
Dor improvements, Will doubtless collect
much information which will influence
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
d who have districts along the coast prom
Uses to be hercer than ever the coming
session. and politicians are eagerly
awaiting the appointment OF the mem
oers who will make up the committee
that are TO control the river and harbor
appropriations.
1t has been suggested recently that the
localities which are directly benefited by
improvements should share the cost of
them with the general Government Rep
Tesentatives who are interested in inland
rivers, say the members from along the
coast did not make this discovery until
the coast had been we'll cared for, and
insist It is time that the interior should
have a larger share of the improve
ments
Accredited by Government.
AS chairman of the House Committee
on Rivers and Harbors, Mr.. Burton has
had wide experience with shipping in
terests. and has acquired an extensive
knowledge OF the conditions which exist
along all the principal streams in the
IfnfFnl r.
rope before. but his present trip is for
the sole purpose of investigating har-
bors and the canalization Of European
streams.
Mr. Burton is travelling in a semi-of-
hcial capacity. He is paying his own ex-
penses. but the Government has recos-
nized his trip by giving him letters to
officials OF European governments. and
American consuls and ministers. which
will make IT possible for him TO gather
ell the information he may desire He
Is accompanied by Major Mahan, a re-
tired army officer. who has lived in
Paris for many years, and Paul Rowland.
Of Cleveland.
At present Mr. Burton and his com
panions are in Denmark. The party first
making a special study of the extensive
canalization of streams in that country.
The party then went to Holland. Bel
gium. and Germany. After inspecting
Swedish and Danish improvements, Mr.
Burton viii go TO Constantinople. and
then TO Egypt. where he will inspect the
great Assouan dam, and other extensive
improvements which have been made to
control the waters Of the Nile.
Improvement of the Ohio.
The Ohio River Improvement Associa-
ton has been working for years to have
the Government improve the Ohio in
such manner that good stage of water
may be maintained throughout the year.
The association first wanted a slx-foot
stage. II now asks for a nine-foot stage
at all seasons. Similar demands come
from the Mississippi Valley, and one OF
the great problems before Congress is
whether it shall continue to make scat
tered appropriations or undertake the
extensive and permanent Improvement
of these streams after the plan adopted
in France and other European countries.
Farming and manufacturing interests
insist that the streams must be improved
for the purpose of af1ording competition
for the railroads, and the railroads op-
pose extensive canalization schemes.
Many members OF Congress believe that
all streams OF any size can be converted
into canals IL the localities will share
the expense with the Government, but
this plan is not advocated extensively,
as it is very unpopular with the people
al uFr II. III 4
suitable for canalization. The Ohio
River Improvement Association has
fought this plan bitterly and similar op-
position has come from the States tribu-
tary TO the Mississippi.
Boom for Water Transportation.
1t is urged by localities having streams
susceptible OF improvement that the
Panama Canal VIII make the improve
ment of interior streams imperative.
Water transportation is said to be about
to have a wonderful boom. and II is urged
that the Mississippi and all its main
tributaries must be converted into feed
ers for the canal across the isthmus
Dreams are entertained of bringing tho
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 II
is promised that the excessive flow 81
water in the spring will be checked and
the necessity for gigantic levees OBJ
waited. Bayous and swampy lowlands
along the rivers could be converted, II
is held. into reservoirs, in which the
food waters would be stored Great
dams would regulate the flow and locks
would make it possible for vessels Il
pass the dams.