The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1907-04-24
RIVER And HARDOR
APPROPRIATION
IMPROVEMENTS PLANNED BY
GOVERNMENT ALL OVER THE
couNTRY--sPEciAL AppRoPRi.
ALTON FOR EXAMINATION.

Y h1AAiaN9A1ANf arm 80
wv Like all good housekeepers
" v the United States viii be-
gin May the long de-
layed task Of setting It's establishment
IN order. For practically 100 years the
government has given little attention
90 its internal affairs, 10 far as the
Inland rivers and harbors are con-
cerned. This policy ls 10 be changed,
and before fives weeks have passed a
now order OF things viii have been
established, TO be continued until
Uncle Sans domain in this regard is
in apple-pie condition.
Little will be done with the Mis-
sissippi river this year In 20 far as
actual work OF betterment IL con-
cerned. The undertaking IL so great
that Congress has authorized special
appropriation FOR an examination into
all the engineering difficulties attend
ing the development OF the great
stream. As soon as this data Is avail
able actual work viii be begun In
making the channel navigable and
opening to commerce new avenue OF
transportation. Operations on the Mis-
souri, river. however, viii be under
taken at once, the plans for the work
having been approved this week by
General Alexander Mackenzie. chief OF
engineers.
The Rivers and Harbors Bill carried
for work on the Missouri river the
sum OF 100000, General Mackenzie
plans TO expend between the mouth Of
the river and Kansas City $4,000;
between Kansas City and Sioux City
the same amount; and between Sioux
City and Fort Benton. Mont. $780,
600 The principal work to be under
taken win be the clearing Of the chan
mel. but a considerable portion OF the
appropriation WIN be spent on work
for the protection OF the banks OF the
river. Work on the Ohio river ami a
number of the southern rivers will be
undertaken about the same date, or as
quickly thereafter as the chief OF en-
gineers can approve the plans of the
engineers In the field. The same holds
true OF the Columbia river and the
other streams OF the coast. As for
improvements to streams emptying
into the Lakes, and the harbors on the
inland seas. work on these bodies OF
water will be undertaken just as soon
as they are free from Ice.
simultaneously with the actual be-
ginning of operations 'on the various
projects, will be held the
first meeting of the new Inland Water
ways Commission, which has just been
named by President Roosevelt. Con-
gresham Burton. chairman Of the
Rivers and Harbors Committee of the
House, is chairman Of this new COM
thus making certain the
OF the organization The
Commission, which has not yet been
formally organized, and the duties OF
which are unknown except to the
and to the President himself.
is expected to investigate and pass
upon all questions of Improvement
affecting inland waterways. 1t will
not confine its attention entirely to
the question Of navigation, but win
means for preventing of
a recurrence of the disastrous freshets
that have swept the Ohio valley, and
will also advance projects for the crea-
tion of power through the use OF water,
1t is due in great measure to the
earnest championship Of the question
by the National Rivers & Harhors
Congress that no Jealousy has been
created in the naming of the Commits
sion. Only a few brief years back the
Atlantic and Pacific coasts and Gulf
states would have seen in the appoint
ment of such commission direct
attempt on the part of the adminlstra-
tion to exploit internal works of inn
provement at their expense. Through
the organizations efforts, however the
nation wide Importance of the ques-
ton is now understood, and the fact
Is we'll established that with adequate
in the producing CEN
ters of the Middle West, the whole
country win benefit through the re-
iuction of freight charges in getting
these products to the centers of con-