The Glenwood post., 1907-09-07
and speaking of the big work to be

done.
United States Senator Franklin G..
Newlands OF Nevada, a member of the
inland waterways commission, was
then introduced and received warm
welcome. He delivered an interesting
address on the subject with which the
inland waterways commission deals
After referring TO the appointment
of the inland waterways commission
by President Roosevelt, Senator New
lands said that the letter of instruc-
tiOns from the President enjoined
upon the commission the study of all
questions relating to inland water
ways, with a view to recommending
practical legislation upon the subject.
The Presidents purpose was to uIder-
take now plan of practical utiliza-
ton, improvement and development,
which might in the coming years be
worked out comprehensively and sue
cessfully.
Whilst the primary purpose of this
inquiry" Mr.. Newlauds said, "is to ia
Cilitate water transportation, it is i'm
possible to perfect the machinery of
the waterways without taking into
consideration the related questions of
forest preservation, of irrigation of
arid lands, of reclamation of swamp
land, of bank protection. of clarfica-
ton of streams and other kindred
questions"
1T is impossible, the speaker con-
tlnued, "to indicate now what the form
of legislation should be. Individually.
| should say that some plan in which
the chiefs of The great scientific serv-
ices of tho country could be brought
together in a national board of pub
lie works, with power to make com
nrehensive plans, and to work them
out gradually, might be the most eff
cient way. | cannot imagine an or
eaniZation more perfect than one
which would include TIE chief of the
engineer corps OF the army, the direc-
tor of the geological survey, the di-
rector of our coast and geodetic sur
vey, our Panama canal service, our
reclamation service, the chiefs Of our
forestry service and of the bureau of
soils. Such board would mold into
unity of action these great services,
each Of which is now engaged in some
form of study ard work relating to our
waterways; and there could be Gre
ated a fund similar 10 the reclamation
fund, which could be placed under
their control. Their work could, in
measure, be made self-compensatory
by tolls, charges for water power and
other means of revenue. Their action
would cover all questions relating to
the improvement of harbors and riv-
ers, the construction of canals, the de-
velopment of water power and all the
related questions OF irrigation, recla-
nation, forestry, soil treatment etc.
Their action would not be spasmodic
and disjointed. as has been the action
OF Congress upon these subjects, but
great and comprehensive plans could
be inaugurated, which they could
gradually work out within the limits
OF the fund created by congressional
action.
Means Great Corporations.
THE demand for national action as
to water transportation will include ma
Iional action regarding railway trans
portation and will necessitate the Gre
alton by the nation of the great corpo-
rations which are to handle this great
commerce.
Under national incorporation the
questions relating to inland waterways,
railway and ocean transportation will
De SOlNeu. lnere Will De great COrpO-
rations, whose lines will extend from
the Atlantic to the Pacific, and others
whose lines will extend from the lakes
to the Gulf of Mexico.
These corporations will be under
full governmental control. Their issue
of stock and bonds will be subject to
the approval of national officials. The
national legislation covering them will
guard not only the interests of the
shippers and producers. but also the
interests of the railway investor whose
investments should be stable and
should be free from the caprice of the
stock market.
I'VE can not take broad view of
the powers of the national government
as relating to carriers by water and re-
fuse to recognize those powers as re-
lating to carriers by rail. Transporta-
ton is national question. The COM
mon carriers engaged in interstate and
foreign commerce must be national
agents. The laws creating them must
be the laws of the nation. The regula-
tions which control them must be the
regulations of the nation"
Many of the sentiments expressed by
Senator Newlands We're warmly ap-
plauded. especially his references to
trusts and monopolies. He said the
power of control should be in the hands
of the people and not in those of mo-
nopolies.