New-York tribune., 1904-09-18
THE WORTH OF ITS MONEY.
What This Nation Gets for It's Vast Elk.
penditures
To the Editor OF The Tribune.

To the Editor or The Tribune
Sir; II Judge Parker realized what the govern
ment is doing FOR his country. am sure he would
nor embark in crusade against It's expenditures
or be so unpatrotic in view OF the bpneat to the
nation as 10 wish them any less. Ills Is really
an arra!gRment OF tie representatives OF the peo-
pie-'in Congress assemhed'- authorized them
and made the appropriations for them
The average American sees little OF the uachin-
cry of the government beyond the free delivery
foute which brings the mail 10 his door. We who
live on the coast know a little OF tie War De
partmeRts constant care or the harbors and inlets
dredging. building br-akwatsrs and maintaining tho
lighthouses and other safeguards or commerce. But
j. for one. did not realize until recent trp 10 81
Louis by way OF the Hudson. the Great Lakes and
the Mississippi. that all the interior commerce ~
the country its lakes and WATERWAYS has IN n.
safeeuaTced by that department in the same vav
ran against the work of the War Department
al every turn on the Hudson. besides MI the
safeguards 10 the navigation OF the rlye- stood IN.
great military school West Point which trains
Inc officers who so unob;rusively administer these
works Of peace
on the lakes. OF course there were m. light
houses breakWaters and ha rhors 10 be cared for
everywhere. but what new 10 me we're the
United States ship canals especially those NJ Lake
81 Clair. the 800" and into the harbor Of Duluth
our steamship in going through the ''Soo"-the
great double canal the Saut ste Marie went
into the lock with whaleback freight steamer
alongside her and double row OF fregi,ters in eli
the locks and also in the second canal passing 10
and from Lake Superior and others waiting Their
turn. 1t is on a United States reservation. and
the War Department in charge
These great constructions undoubtedly cost thu
country great deal Of money to build and main,
tain but when one has such visible testimony 70
their importance 70 the commerce of the Great
Lakes II 's easy Ia see what they worth to Us
And as for the Mississippi the last time I went
doWn the river-over forty ago-there were
almost no safeguards 10 navigation. SnacS shoals
and rapids forced the river steamers to tie p'' at
night. Now. for all ITS nayigab BILE length the gov
ernnent Is In evidence with ship canals and
dredges ana with beacon lights every turn or
tho channel.
No wonde- the Democrats devoted plank In
men PLATFORM faVoring tho work the river,
IN nv van want me work TO 20 on-end tnan growl at
When considers what the cost mus, he .,
CARRYING all this public work. the wonder ts
ore hoveter Vhn has srer Sd 4,ohS @ dnaae Any
the War Denartyn.nt Vii Know ~ PnS'ns ,s Win
counting FOR money spent or supplies issued which
At he exposition at st. Louis in tho Govern
m9nt @ buIdinG G-and the government exhibits in the
merse work the government s doing for The bene
naon SAVING the foTts and and G 5 OF the
Iav2Ges of men and insects. looking after the
ssfegpardng. bqt repIenishng: not only repienish-
lns gs. ont 9GtuHLy creating for instance. the
End, and me pgmelo-and hardy oranse that will
japanese ali for the beneat OF the oTans. ana c,r {Te
lists OF the South '''''
imperialism II is rather psteruallsm Of very
wise ana very busineSslike nature. Even IN the
Philippines concession the fair il ism, i,uf,ariai
ISM. II j. fraternalisrn thai is in the air
And so J came back from ST Louis frIIv av,ar.
that this is "a billion dollar country" and rIily
convinced that the billion is wisely spent and "a
commerce. F''' anu
and snotheE her fact Vas bore in my con.
EnoE or value the long and splendid service Of tie
faithful officers who educated at her expense arc
derotng their lives 70 their country In peare md
Il" 81 VIZ. ,, H. NJ y