Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1907-03-18
MONEY.
FOR THE
RIVERS
And Harb0rS Not Considered
Cause of National Ex-
trayagance

Washir gton. March 1S.-While
there is a tendency in certain quar-
ters to criticize the Fifty-nlnth Con-
gress on the score of extravangance
in appropriations, this criticism has
not been levelled at the rivers and
harbors bill The enormous growth
of waterway transportation in this
country has practically compelled
the government to recognize its inn
portance AS an illustration of the
enormous amount of freight carried
by water, II is only necessary to
point TO the traffic on the Great
Lakes. which during the season of
navigation last year reached a total
of more than 237,00O,O00 tons. The
Ohio river alone carried 100000
tons of various classes OF commodi-
ties, principally coal.
AS a result of the great traffic the
rivers and harbors measure war
rants an expenditure of more than
$40, 100000 for improvements to the
harbors and channels of the Great
Lakes. This might almost be called
parsimonious amount, when It is
known that the harbors of Duluth
and Superior during the past year
contributed n tonnage OF 3S,000,O0O
tons to the general movement OF
freight on the lakes. Out OF the
harbors OF Michigan tonnage of
15,0O0;O00 was registered; Ohio
harbors contributed $4,000, 900 tons;
Wisconsin harbors 100000 tons
and the harbors OF Illinois 10000
600 tons to swell the grand total.
II Is a remarkable fact in this con-
nection, that the tonnage from the
Duluth-Superior harbor exceeds the
tonnage of three of the largest ports
on the Atlantic coast. While the
Duluth-Superior port sends out 49,
100000 tons a year, the tonnage
from Boston is only 2S,00O,000;
that from Philadelphia 25.O0O.000,
and of Baltimore only 100000
tons. The comparison could be
drawn further by taking the amount
of tonnage that passed through tho
Detroit river last year and compar-
ing IL with the three Atlantic coast
harbors named. The total tonnage
out OF Boston, Philadelphia and Bal
timore harbors was 53,0OO.0OO tons;
that passing through the Detroit
river during the season of naylga-
tion was 55,OOO,OOO.
other figures OF tonnage on the In
land waterwas have just been made
public. on tho Mississippi between
the Missouri river and ST. Paul, the
freight carried aggregated 100000
tons; on the Mississippi between the
Ohio and the Missouri rivers total
movement OF 100000 tons was
noted, but as more than 5000. 200
tons of this was represented by ferry
trafiic between ST. Louis and East
st. Louis. the actual freight tonnage
In that reach OF the river was prob
ably less than half a million tons.
The money appropriated for a COM
plete survey OF the Mississippi river
will permit OF appropriations for the
development OF the Father OF Wa
ters being made intelligently as
soon as the engineering reports are
In the hands OF Congress. Another
appropriation for river improve
ments Is one OF s2.5OO,OOO for the
improvement OF the mouth Of the
Columbia river.
The National Rivers and Harbors
Congress is being congratulated on
the passage of the rivers and har-
bors bill. For the last four years
this Organization has endeayored 20
bring forcibly 10 the attention OF
Congress the necessity for dhdertak-
ing a widespread campaign OF water
way development. eontending that
not less than s5O.O0O.OOO a year
should be expended In the work.
The measure. while a long step tow
ard meeting this demand. is not yet
all that the National Rivers and
Harbors Congress could desire. Al
result the organization Is endeay-
oring 10 increase It's already large
membership which Is 10 be found
In every state In the union. and Cap
tain J. p. Ellison. OF Cincinnati. o.
its secretary and treasurer. has Is
sued a general call TO all believers
in waterway transportation, firms
individuals and shippers 70 join the