Omaha daily bee., 1907-09-04
TRANSPORTATION IS INVOLVED
All Phases of Waterways Comes Be-
fore Federal Commission.
NATIONAL BOARD is SUGGESTED
Senator Would Have Scientists CO.
Operate in Public Work.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN ESSENTIAL
Speaker Says Problems Can Best he
solved by Gradual Action of
Board, Congress supply
inR Cash.

| SACRAMENTO, Cal. Sept s-This was
irrigation and conservation day at the Ma
! tional Irrigation congress. A number OF
men prominent in the great work of the
congress were the speakers. A letter from
Secretary Garfield was read regretting his
in ability to attend and speaking of the
! important work to be done. United States
Senator Francis G. Newands Of Nevada, a
| member OF the Inland Waterways commits
| sion, delivered an interesting address on
the subject with which the Inland Water
| ways commission deals.
Senator Newlands. addressing the con-
gress today, said that the Inland Water
ways commission had only been in
existence a few months. 1t had been en-
gagged thus far in the work of investiga-
tion, and had not yet formulated the recom-
mendations. What he said, therefore,
! must be regarded as his individual views
rather than as the conclusions of the COM
mission. After referring to the appoint
ment of the Inland Waterways commission
by President Roosevelt Senator Newlands
said that the letter of instructions from
the president enjolned upon the commission
the study of all questions relating to in
iolb tNtiNdNSt WIN view 10 IcCOm-
mending practical legislation upon the sub
ject. The presidents purpose was to un-
dertake now a plan of practical utilization.
Improvement and development which might
in the coming years be worked out compre-
hensively and successfully.
Forest Reserves Necessary.
Whilst the primary purpose of this in
quiry," Mr.. Newlands said lis to facilitate
water transportation, It is impossible to
perfect the machinery of the waterways
without taking into consideration the re-
lated questions of forest reservation, OF
| irrigation of arid land, of reclamation of
swamp land, of bank protection, of clari-
ficaton of streams and other kindred ques-
tions.
1T is impossible" the speaker con-
tinued. ito indicate now what the form of
legislation should be. Individually should
say that some plan In which the chiefs of
the great scientific services of the country
could be brought together in a national
board of public works, with power to make
comprehensive plans, and to work them
out gradually, might be the most efficient
way. l cannot imagine an organization
more perfect than one which would in
clude the chief of the engineer corps Of
the army, the director of the geological
survey, the director of our coast and
geodetic survey, our Panama canal sery-
ice, our reclamation service, the chiefs OF
our forestry service, and of the bureau of
soils Such a board would mold into unity
of action these great services each OF
which is now engaged in some form OF
study and work relating to our waterways;
and there could he created fund similar
to the reclamation fund, which could be
/ T1n uuNaslA Nl..g..
could in a measure, be made self-com-
pensatory, by tolls, charges for water
power, and other means of revenue Their
| action would cover all questions relating
to the improvement of harbors and rivers,
the construction of canals the develop
ment of water power and all the re-
lated questions of irrigation reclamation,
forestry, soil treatment etc Their action
would not be spasmodic and disJolnted 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.
Demand for National Action.
"Tho demand for national action as to
water transportation will include national
action regarding railway transportation,
| and will necessitate the creation by the
nation of the great corporations which are
| to handle this great commerce.
I'VE cannot take broad view Of the
powers Of the national government as re-
| lating TO carriers by water and refuse to
recognize those powers as relating to car
! riers by rail. Transportation is a national
question. The common carriers engaged
| in interstate and foreign commerce must
be national agents. The laws creating
them must be the laws of the nation. The
regulations which control them must be
the regulations OF the nation"
| An address on the Conservation OF Re-
sources" was delivered by Clifford Pinchot,
United States forester.
Talk for Free Lumber.
Later there were responses by represen-
| tatives of the national organization. Fol-
lowing the address OF Mr.. Pinchot, Judge
John e. Baker moved that 1t be the sense
OF the gathering that all duties on timebr
| be repealed and that the timber OF this
country be preserved to the largest extent
possible by allowing other countries to ship
their lumber in Under rule adopted early
in the session. this motion was sent direct
to the committee on resolutions without
/ opportunity for discussions.
Delegate Keisel OF Utah asked Pinchot
what was being done by the forestery serv-
ice. The reply was that the service can
not plant sufficient trees TO keep up with
the consumption, but that as fast con.
! gress appropriates funds. irrigation and
other water sheds are being protected.
The congress sent a telegram OF thanks
to President Roosevelt for the splendid
message" from him, read by clifford Pin
! chot yesterday.