Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1907-02-21

DEMANDS
WATERWAYS
Up to State and Nation to Do
Part In Solving Trans
pOrtati0n

Washington, Feb. 21.-Notiflca-
tion from Russia that the Eleventh
International Navigation congress is
to be held there in May, 1905, has
brought forcibly to the attention of
the government the fact that water
way navigation is commanding the
attention of the whole world. The
Forthcoming meeting, which is TO be
held in st. Petersburg, will be at
tended by delegates from every civ
ipzed nation and will lead to the
most comprehensive discussion of
water transportation that the ques-
tion has ever received abroad. In
forwarding the notification, Consul
General Watts reports:
"The purpose of the congress is to
create an increase of general interest
in matters navigation, naval con-
struction and the Importance OF wa
terways; the study of theoretic and
practical questions relating to hydro
technical construction (sea and
river) the industrial commercial and
technical exploitation of rivers and
seaports. Reports on these subjects
will be publicly discussed and scien-
tiflc excursions organized in order to
study hydrotechnical works, sea
ports and waterways in Russia"
This evidence that Russia is awak-
ening to the necessity for developing
its great navigable rivers is of espe-
cial interest at a time when the
house has approved and the senate is
considering the greatest appropria-
tion bill ever framed for develop
ment work on the rivers and harbors
of the United States. IL goes to prove
that the great commercial nations
realize that they must undertake
such development work II they are to
be considered factors in the trade of
the world. England. Germany and
France long have recognized that
thorough and steady development at
fords certain assurance of command
ing positions in the foreign trade.
and as a result these three nations
have captured and are holding mar
kets that rlghtfully belong to the
United States.
Aside from the advantage gained
by these foreign rivals in lower trans
portation charges, the fact that the
railroads OF this country are unable
10 handle promptly the enormous
traffic OF the United States is an add
ed reason why world-markets are be-
ing wrested from American manu-
facturers. The national government
has not been devoting funds sufficient
TO insure development OF waterway
transportation and, in his recent
speech in the house, Congressman
Jospeh e. Randsdell of Louisiana
president OF the National Rivers and
Harbors congress, pointed out that
in the past less than three per cent
of the total appropriations OF the gov
ernment have been devoted TO inter
nal improvements. In an appeal for
fair recognition of this important
work. he said:
II earnestly lmplcre you to study
this great subject OF waterway i'm
provement. to my mind the most Inn
portant one today before the Ameri-
can people. and use your great In
fiuence in and out of congress in IA
vor of a broad and liberal, and truly
national policy toward our water
ways, In favor OF an annual rivers and
harbors bin carrying s50.0OO,OOO
every year"
Mr.. Ransdell's appeal was greeted
with loud applause. disclosing the
new and favoring attitude taken by
congress In respect 10 the question
II is not known yet whether the ma
tional government or the National
Rivers and Harbors congress will ap-
point delegates to the Russion meet
ing. but IL is altogether probable that
some such action will be taken,