The semi-weekly messenger., 1907-12-06

production OF raw material and it's
! manufacture and distribution, and
therefore. with the welfare OF those
who produce II in the raw state. and
Of those who manufacture anddistri-
butte It. The Department OF Corr.
merce and Labor has but recen'H
been founded but has already e Asti-
fed its existence: while the Depart
ment OF Agriculture yields TO no other
In the government in the practical
benefits which IL produces in
propotion to the public money ex-
pended. II must continue in the future
10 deal with growing crops as It has
dealt in the past but II must still
further extend its field OF usefulness
hereafter by dealing with live men,
through a far-reaching study and
treatment OF the problems of farm life
alike from the industrial and economic
and social standpoint Farmers must
cooperate with one another and with
the government, and the government
can best give its aid through associa-
tions OF farmers. so as TO deliver TO
the farmer the large body OF agricul-
tural knowledge which has been accu-
mulated by the national andf lste
governments and by the agricuh6 n
colleges and schools.
The grain producing industry OF the
country. one OF the most important
in the United States, deserves spec L
consideration at the hands OF congress.
Our grain Is sold almost exclusively
by grades. To secure satisfactory re-
suits in our home markets and to
facilitate our trade abroad. these
grades should approximate the high
est degree OF uniformity and certain
ty. The present diverse methods OF
inspection and grading throughout the
country under different laws and
boards. result In confusion and lack
OF uniformity. destroying that conf
dence which is necessary for health
full trade. Complaints against the pro
sent method rave continued for year
ard they are growing in volume and
Intensity, not only in this country but
abroad.
] therefore suggest to the congress the
advisability OF national system OF
inspection and grading grain entering
into interstate and foreign commerce
as remedy for the present evils.
INLAND WATERWAYS.
The conservation OF our natural re-
sources and their proper use consti-
tute the fundamental problem which
underlies almost every other problem
of our national life. We must Aain-
tain for our civilization the adequate
material basis without which that civil
lization can not exist. We must show
foresight we must look ahead AS a
nation We not only enjoy "a nder-
full measure Of present prosperity but
if this prosperity is used Alright IL is
an earnest of future success such as
no other nation will have. The rc-
ward Of foresight FOR this nation Is
great and easily foretold. But there
must be the look ahead, there must
be realization OF the fact that to
waste, to destroy, our national resour-
ces, to skin and exhaust the land in
stead Of using II to increase its use
fulness, will result in undermining In
the days of our children the very pros
perity which We ought by right TO
veloped. For the last few years.
through several agencies, the govern
ment has been endeavorinE TO get our
people to look ahead and substitute
a planned and orderly developn Of
our resources in place of a har Ward
striving for immediate profit Our
great river systems should be develop
ed as national water highways; the
Mississippi, with it's tributaries stand
ing first in Importance. and the Col
umbia second, although there are
many others of Importance on the
Pacific, the Atlantic and the Gulf
slopes. The National Government
should undertake this work, and r g.
hope the beginning will be made In
the present congress; and the great
est OF all our rivers, the Mississippi.
should receive especial attention.
From the Great Lakes to- the mouth
of the Mississippi there should be a
ueep waterway, WIN deep WATERWAYS
leading from it to the east and west.
Such a waterway would practically
mean the extension Of our coast line
into the very heart OF our country.
It would be OF incalculable benefit TO
our people. If begun at once it AN
be carried through in time apprfhebIy
to relieve the congestion OF our yreat
freight-carrying lines OF railroads.
The work should be Systematically
and continuously carried forward in
accordance with some well-conceiyed
plan. The main streams should be
improved to the highest point Of ef-
fciency before the improaNnent Of the
branches is attempted; ~ the work
should be kept free from every taint