The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-02-01
BURTON SPEAKS ON
WATERWAYS BILL
Rivers and Harbors Measure
Presented
APPEAL FOR SQUARE DEAL
Chairman Insists That the Bill Should
Be Made an Annual Proposition.
House, in Committee of the
Whole, Takes 1t In Hand.
APPEAL FOR SQUARE DEAL

WASHINGTON, DILL thO AAON0S
today Mr.. Burton of Ohio moved that that
body resolve itself into committee or the
whole for the consideration of the rivers
and harbors appropriation bill ,couplingihis
motion with a proposition that the time
be controlled by the chairman of the conf
mittee of the whole II such time be less
than one hour, and time over the limit be
divided between the chairman of the
waterways committee and the ranking
member of the minority. Mr.. Bankhead OF
Alabama Objection was made to this by
Mr.. Payne of New York, Mr.. Dalzen OF
Pennsylvania and Mr.. Clark of Missouri
Speaker Cannon cut the knot by explain
ing that the condition of public business
warranted the time to be apportioned by
the chairman OF the committee OF the
whole. in order that the bill might be eX-
pedited. The House then began In the
committee of the whole the considera-
ton of the waterways bill, Mr. Burton
making the opening statement
MIR. Burton in making the opening state
ment on the BILL said 1t was the largest
rivers and harbors bill ever presented to
Congress, and the best. although the act
of June. 1896, contained a larger amount
of authorizations.
Completion of Projects.
Provision is made in the pending bill
for the completion Of a much larger pro-
portion of projects than In any preceding
mea sure. In providing for the completion
M new projects a radical departure is
made in the bill from former methods
eft has been thought best" Mr.. Burton
remarked, ito undertake no new improve
| ment unless the whole amount required
for its completion, whether the project
involves a large or small expenditure Is
appropriated or authorized
This policy, Mr.. Burton says, has beer
followed in preparing the bill with barely
an exception and he dwelt at length OF
the advantages of the plan.
! He called attention to the fact thai
$6s, OF, 1893 of the amount included In the
bill is for improvements of considerable
magnitude already undertaken by the
| government or for Improvements in con
| nectlon Herewith, where increase tranlS
| REQUIRES additional facilities.
In the discussion of the rivers ane
harbors bill of 1902, Mr.. Burton said there
d
| the effect that very large amount Of
money had been appropriated for rivers
and creeks of trivial importance but II
was shown that by the act of that year
only $4,000 had been appropriated FOL
| small streams.
Speaking of the Hennipen canal, Mr.
| Burton traced the agitation in favor OF
II to popular feeling, but he doubted II II
would be of the advantage anticipated
Representative Gartholdt of Missouri
| one of the champions of a 14-foot channe
between st. Louis and Chicago, winch tht
committee refused to include IN the Dill
followed Mr.. Burton. He charged tha'
the committee, under the influence or lts
chairman, Mr.. Burton, had unfairly dis
eliminated against that project In favor
of a rival route from the lakes to the
Mississippi by way of the Pittsburg and
| Lake Erie canal and the ONO.
Combination Against the West.
| Mr.. Bartholdt asserted that there was
combination of the east ana south II
| the committee against the middle west
| Mr.. Ransdell OF Louisiana said the
| railroads were beginning to realize thai
waterways must be improved to relieve
| the freight congestion which Is alarming
| the public The result, he said. is a de-
| cded change In the attitude OF the rail-
roads towards waterway Improvement
Smoke
| ident T. j. Hill OF the Great Northern
railroad that 15-foot waterway be pro
vided from Chicago to the gulf and said
| that the farsightedness of that railroad
official was thoroughly well known.
Passing to the question OF the cost OF
water transportation, he said that 1t was
about as one to three as compared with
| the cost of railway transportation.
1.-THE American people are in favor OF
| improving their waterways declared Mr.
| Ransdell, land the members of Congress
who are opposed to that policy are going
| TO be left at home" A statement Which
called forth a round of applause.
He criticised the practice of reporting
| a river and harbor bill once every three OF
| four years. and insisted that waterways
| hill should be made an annual PROPOSE
| ton. like any Of the early budgets.
Mr.. Ransdell in discussing the practice
| of reporting river and harbor appropria-
| ton bills every one. two or three years
said of the navy;
Record Of the Navy.
SMy heart and the heart OF every
| American swells with a just pride when
we consider the glorious record of ouI
navy, without one blen,sh upon It's fall
escutcheon from the days of John Paul
| Jones to this date of Dewey Sampson
| and Schley Applause.)
Mr. Burton resumng:
But is it giving to commerce square
deal when II receives for Its rivers and
harbors practically the only appropri-
ations made for commerce. 3 per cent
and war and It's rewards OF this peace
loving nation Of ours receives 40 per cent
n year of our total annual appropriations
for all the purposes of the government p
Mr.. Burton said thai Aaa.is. 49, '--'-''