Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1907-03-13
DEVETOP
WATER
WAYS
Is: the Surest Way TO Bring
About Better TranspOrta-
tiOn Conditions

Washington, March 13.-At
time when the country is clamoring
for some means OF transportation TO
assist the over burdened railroads
in moving commerce, II is a note
worthy fact that Italy is struggling
with the same problem. II is even
more noteworthy. in the face OF the
passage by congress of the greatest
rivers and harbors appropriations
bill ever passed, that Italy Is adopt
ing the same means of waterway
transportation to overcome the DIFF
ficulty.
Consul J. Il. Dunning OF Milan,
Just before Congress adjourned,
made special report on the situa-
tion in Italy. The report was read
with much interest by members OF
Congress, and especially by the
members OF the rivers and harbors
lcommittee OF the House. Consul
Dunning's report shows that the
aforementioned railroad lines of
Italy during the past year hauled
500, 900 more In freight than in
the previous corresponding period.
Despite this great increase, business
i'm Italy Is In woeful state because
OF the inability OF the lines to ham
Idle the trafiic. As result the
italian government is contemplating
a great system OF canals and canal
ized rivers as solution OF the din
Guilty.
The principal scheme in this pro-
gram is the deepening of the chan
mel OF the River Po from a point
near Payla outward TO the sea. with
the ultimate object of making a sea-
port OF Milan, which is many miles
inland. Consul Dunning says:
There is now canal connec-
tion between Milan and Pavia. about
25 miles long, through an ancient
channel which has been In active use
for more than six hundred years.
Thousands OF canal boasts from the
Po come 10 Milan every year, pass
through the city's canal system
(which is founded on the old de-
fensiye moats OF the middle ages),
and proceed northward To the Ital-
ian lakes, or vice versa.
In connection with the Po pro-
ieot general extension and re-
building OF the whole vast canal
system Is planned, This, with an
ample basin on the outskirts OF
Milan, will give the city the rank of
a port, though Il Is In fact many
miles inland The aim OF the plan
Is 90 enable harges OF several hun
drod tons burden to come In tow
from the Adriatic directly TO the city
gates. there meeting and exchanging
with other barges from the lake re-
gion. both forming a system OF spe-
olal transportation which Is bound
To have "A decided eject upon the
Industrial development OF the dis
triot AS well as upon that of the en-
tire kingdom and Southern Europe.
The government Is giving practical
aid by forwarding all the prelmin-
AIRY work OF the undertaking. which
Is TO be government work pure
and simple, though tho contracts
viii be open to bidders throughout
the world"
II Is matter OF considerable sur
prise that the United States has been
laggard among great nations In de-
veloplng It's waterways. All OF the
commercial countries OF the world
have adopted this system OF trans
portation within their borders, aud
because OF Il have been enabled TO
enter markets abroad by reason OF
the elimination OF excessive trans
portation tolls from their factories
TO their seaboard England. with
It's magnificent harbors. Germany.
with tie system OF deep rivers and
canals and France. with It's highly
developed waterways. have been en-
abled 10 push their goods In every
quarter of the world, laying them
In foreign markets az the lowest
coat for setting them there
Although the amount carried by
the bin Just passed by Congress es-
tAolishes a record. Il is not up TO the
mark set by the National Rivers
aud harbors Congress. which Is
seeking 10 have the eoVerpn,ant -
aside nat sum OF $50 1000 eco
year for the prosecution OF water
ways development The bin carries
In cash available TOR immediate use
approximately sSS.0oO, coo; the re-
mainder Is merely authorized for a
Confirmation OF work under way. OF