The Washington herald., 1907-12-08


the purpose OF considering different
phases OF our commercial development,
have just concluded their labors in
Washington. Both were concerned.
though in separate ways, in securing gov
crnmental assistance in promoting the
material welfare OF the country. and
their conclusions are significant Of the
larger economic role the national govern
ment is destined to play in the future
Perhaps IL, is not altogether true to
say Of the delegates from commercial
organizations summoned to consult with
Secretary Straus that they were seeking
government aid to commerce. for they
were asked 10 advise the Department Of
Commerce and Labor how the department
might be made more useful for the at
tainment Of the ends for which It was in
stituteG but il is true that the depart
inent hopes to make itself more and more
valuable TO our commercial interests To
do this Il was essential to have the closer
cooperation OF the business world. and
this II IS &" z1.ed TO obtain by means OF
an orgalizet(1 known as the National
Council ~ 0rLmerce. which VIII form a
connecting Link between the department
and the whole business community. keep
ing the former fully Informed as to the
needs and desires OF the latter. and inter-
preting to the commercial world the plans,
methods and results of the departments
work.
Secretary Straus believes that this body,
though novel 10 this country. "wim be
or the greatest practical advantage 10
the department in directing it's efforts into
the channels OF investigation that are
most desired by the commercial inter-
ests.' In a word. utility is the depart
ments aim. In place Of arid masses Of
information and volumes Of useless mat
ter. the department desires to conduct
inquiries Of immediate practical advan-
tage, and to collect data that may
be utilized for the actual development OF
trade. The purpose is most commendable.
and the method chosen to effect II prom
ising. Secretary Straus may be congrat-
ulated on the successful outcome Of the
conference. and on the spirit Of co-opera-
ti0n manifested by the delegates
The Rivers and Harbors Congress was
happily guided, by Secretary Roots ad-
vice. to adopt a policy and not a project.
It's resolutions. therefore. declare for a
comprehensive plan for waterway devel-
opment, and the expenditure of an annual
sum, not less than $500O6OO0 in carrying
out the plan. Such a plan remains TO be
agreed upon and adOpted-a task that is
before the Inland Waterways Commission.
and. above all, before Congress. What
is becoming clear in all the discussion of
waterway improvements that has been
going on in the past few months is that
everybody is tired Of the old haphazard
method of distributing appropriations for
Improvements by the pork barrel method
ana that money should be expended only
for well-considered projects calculated to
benefit the larger currents of commerce.
Moreover, il is pretty generally agreed
that there is opportunity for extensive
development Of water-borne commerce. in
addition 20 and correlated with the rail
transportation systems. The growth Of
internal commerce has been so rapid as
10 place beyond question the value Of a
national investment in improved water
ways. How and where to make that in
Vestment is the important problem to the
solution OF which the Inland Waterways
Commission appointed by President
Roosevelt. is bending its energies. Con
gress we have doubt will be ready
TO furnish the money, when convinced
that II will be properly applied.