Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1907-04-17
FATHER
OF THE
RIVERS
Extent TO Which the Greatest
American River lSsNavi-
gable

Washington, April 17.-It has just
dawned on the country that the work
cut out for Congressman Burton and
his colleagues on the newly appoint
ed inland waterways commission VIII
be enormous. In all the discussion
of the navigable waterways of the
United States, little has been said or
written that would disclose their vast
reaches. The inland streams Of the
United States are in keeping with
the wonderful distances of the coun-
try. AS avenues of transportation
they are a marvellous system in them
selves.
II is not generally known that the
total uavlgable distance OF the Mis-
sisslppl river extends over a space of
2161 miles for the average steamers,
and 2237 miles for smaller craft.
Taking into consideration the tribu-
taries of the Father of Waters"
these combined would make a river
system 1880 miles long. through
which good-sized steamer could
make its way.
Some idea OF the distance these
figures convey can be gained only
by comparison. It is astonishing to
find that II is slightly greater than
from New York to Bankok by way
OF London. II the steamer were
driven by powerful engines. and
made continuous trip, II might
complete the journey in about so
days. However. II Il were compelled
to make as many stops as fall to the
share OF the average river steamer,
this time would be greatly lengthen-
ed
These figures are for the Mississip-
pi river and It's tributaries alone.
The splendid reaches OF the Columbia
river and the mileage OF scores OF
other navigable streams emptying
into the Atlantic and Pacific oceans
and the Gulf OF Mexico. are not taken
into consideration. With this mile
age added. the navigable rivers OF the
United States are the wonders OF the
world.
A faint idea OF the immense vol
ume OF water that sweeps through
the Mississippi valley may be gained
from the fact that every second the
Mississippi river pours into the Gulf
OF Mexico 675OOO cubic feet OF water.
For more than a quarter OF a century
this great volume OF water has served
little TO advance the cause of COM
merce. The government, instead OF
harnessing the great tide and making
II bear on It's bosom fleets of freight
carrying steamers, has been content
TO fight It's oncroachmont on farming
lands. regarding II rather as de-
struotiye agency than as great
factor In the advancement OF the
country's prosperity.
With the appointment OF the inland
waterways commission, and the pas
sage OF a big appropriation bin for
waterways improvement by the last
congress. this policy Is about. to be
changed. The freight congestion
that has paralyzed the railroads and
has gripped the commerce Of the
whole United States. has driven the
federal government into taking steps
for the creation OF another means
OF transportation. This declson was
reached only after coal famines
caused untold suffering throughout
the northwest. and the agricultural
state found themselves financially
embarrassed IN the midst OF plenty.
because OF the inability OF the raj
roads 20 carry their products 20 mar
ket: while the manufacturing states
felt the same embarrassment, be-
cause OF the imDosslbility OF getting
delivery Of raw materials.
Large credit Is due 20 the National
Rivers and Harbors congress for this
belated recognition OF the water
ways as a means for relieving trans
portatlon distress. The organiza-
tion. which has been al work for hvg
years bringing the matter 10 the at
tention OF the country, Is non-politca'
and lends its powerful influence "a
no individual scheme for betterment.
Il stands for a general campaign Of
waterways Improvement. aud has
contended unhesitatingly that no.
less than t5O.O0o.oeO a year shoul"
be expended b. the government Ia
this important work OF internal I'm