Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1907-05-10
SUBJECT OF WATER
 TRANSFORMATION Is Rapidly Assuming as I'm portant a oPsition ill In ternal Affairs as the Rail road Has Commanded.
THIS STATE FAVORED
In the Matter of NavigabIc Rivers Other States Organizing For Better Waterways-To Work in Coniunc- ton With National Government.

Washington, May 10.--(Special 70
 the Graphic. )-Water transportation lis rapidly assuming as important a po-
 sition in the internal affairs Of the United States as the railroad has com manded. Official notification was re- ceived here this week that Arkansas has organized State river commis- sion to act in conjunction with the na- tional government, and that the State of Wisconsin is considering the crea- ton of Q commissioner of waterways to have the same power and authority over transportation by water as the State railroad commission exercises
 over transportation by rail. It is re- garded as likely tbat similar action will be taken in a number of other states, where the Legislatures have not yet adjourned.
 The State of Arkansas is one Of the most favored states of the Union in the matter of navigable rivers on
 or within it's borders. The new river commission proposes to see to the
 permanent improvement of these streams, particularly in the case of the Arkansas River and it's tributaries
 The organization is composed of state and municipal officials and the vari- 1,,r~i in,, throughout Arkansas. It will work in conjunction with the national gov ernment to aid in the general plan Of internal waterways improvements.
 Wisconsin, it is learned, will dignity the new waterways official with sweeping authority. He will be ap- pointed in the usual manner by the governor and confirmed by the State senate: The bill creating the office is now before the legislature, and was introduced by State Senator Owen. It contemples a salary of $5,OO0 a year for the new official, and the measure has the endorsement of the States congressional delegation, both Con- gressmen Esch and Cooper speaking in favor of it at a recent hearing be- fore the legislative committee.
 Wisconsin is interested deeply in the further development of a number of it's rivers, chief among them the Mississippi, Wisconsin, Chippewa, Black and St. Croix. The State has awakened to the fact that it is in pos session of an invaluable method of transportation in it's waterways, which hitherto have been allowed to lie dormant. It is intended to pursue a vigorous policy of development in connection with these streams, chiefly to the end that rail rates be reduced and to insure the State against a repe- tition of the freight congestion that gripped the whole Northwest last fall.
 This activity on the part of the states can be traced to the missionary work done by the National Rivers and Harbors Congress. For five years this organization, purely patriotic ill char acter, has kept before the people of the United States, and brought to the attention of Congress, the neces- sity for rehabilitating the inland wat erway traffic. During the debate on the rebate bill it was declared time and again that well-developed rivers, capable of the transportation ot heavy freghts, would do more t; equalize and lower railroad rates than ary law that could be devised. This is :ne contention that all along has been made by this organization.
 The National Rivers & H arbors Congress, which has been heartily en- dorsea by President Roosevelt. is deeply desirous that the work so we'll begun be kept up. In order to pro- vide the stimulation necessary to ef- feet this, Capt. J. F. Ellison of Cincin- natl, its secretary, is seeking to enlist as members every person and organ ization in the United States interested either in the development of the rivers and harbors of the country, or in pro viding some means to care for the na
 tion's growing commerce. In his cru sade for greater membership he has the support of many members of Con gress In fact, the president of the organization is Congressman Ransdeil of Louisiana, a member of the Rivers
 and Harbors Committee of the House.
 For Rent-A new fiye-rocm cot