The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-10-05

concern likewise the whole country. Therefore, the Mississippi river and It's tributaries ought by all means to be utilized to their utmost possibility Faeil- ity of cheap transportation is an essential in our modern civilization, and we can not afford any longer to neglect the great highways which nature has pro- vided for us. These natural highways. the waterways, can never be monopolized by any corporation. They belong to all the people, and It Is in the power of no one to take them away. Wherever naVlgable river runs beside railroads the problem of regulating the rates on the railroads becomes far easier, because river regulation is rate regulation. When the water rate sinks. the land rate can not be kept at an excessive height. There fore 1t is of national importance to develop these streams as highways to the fullest extent which is genuinely profitable Year by year transportation problems become more acute and the time has come when the rivers really lit to serve as arteries of trade should be provided with channels deep enough and Wide enough to make the investment Of the necessary money profitable to the public, The national government should undertake this work. Where the im- mediately abutting land is markedly bene- nted, and this benefit can be definitely localized, l trust that there will be careful investigation to see whether some way can be devised by which the im- mediate benefciaries may pay portion or the eXpenses-as is now the custom as regards certain classes of improve ments in our municipalities: and meas ures should be taken to secure from the localities specially benefited proper termi- nal facilities. The expense to the nation or entering upon such a scheme of river improvement as that which I believe t should undertake, will necessarily be great Many cautious and conservative people will look askance upon the pro- 1ect, and from every stendpoint it is necessary. if we wish to make it sue cessful that we should enter upon it only under conditions which will guarau- tee the nation against waste of it's money. and which will insure us against entering upon any project until after the most elaperate expert examination, and reli- aple ejaculation of the proportion be- tween cost and benefit In any project like this there should be a definite policy. and resolute purpose to keep in mind that the only improvements made should be those really national in their char acter
 We should act on the same principle in improving our rivers that we should fol- low In improving our harbors The grea. hafpofs are of consequence not merely to the immediate localities, but to immense suetches or country. and the same is true or the great rivers. It is these great rivers and great harbors the improvement or which Is of primary national interest The main streams should be improved to the highest practical degree of efficiency before improvements are attempted on the branches, and work should be under taken only when completion is in sight Within reasonable time. so that as- sured results may be gained and the com hluhltles affected depend upon the im- proVements Moreover, as an incident in caring Tor the river so that it may be- come an efficient channel of transporta- ton the United States government snou-d do It's full part in levee building winch, In the lower reaches of the river will not only give channel for commerce. but VIII also give protection to the adjacent bottom lands