Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1908-03-06

must make sure that projects are not un.
dertaken except for sound business rea-
sons. and that the best modern business
methods are applied In executing them.
The decision to undertake any project
should rest on actual need ascertained by
investigation and judgment of experts and
on its relation to great river systems or
70 the general plan, and never on mere
clamor.
The improvement OF our inland water
ways can and should be made TO pay
for itself so far as practicable from the
incidental proceeds from water power and
other uses. Navigation should, of course,
be free. But the greatest return will
come from the increased commerce.,
growth and prosperity of our people. For
this we have already waited too long.
Adequate funds should be provided. by
bond issue IL necessary, and the work
should be delayed no longer. The develop
ment OF our waterways and the ~conserva-
ton of our forests are the two most
pressing physical needs of the country.
They are fnterdependent, and they should
be met vigorously, together, and at once.
The questions OF organization, powers and
appropriations are now before the con-
gress. There is urgent need for prompt
and decisive action: g
February, 26, 1905.
Portions of Report.
In it's report. the commission says in
part:
The possibilities of inland navigation are
indicated by the fact that there are in
mainland United States some q. 900 miles
of navigated rivers and at least an equal
amount which are ~navigable or might be
made so by Improvement; there are also
some 900 miles of ~navigable canals, and
over $500 miles of sounds, bays and bayous
readily connectable by canals a~ggregating
less than 1000 miles in length TO form in
ner passage paralleling the Atlantic and
gulf c~oasts-these being additional to some
thousands of miles (reckoned between
leading ports) of regularly navigated
waters IN lakes and Ian locked bays.
Although II is not probable that any con-
siderable share of this vast mileage OF
n~avigable waterways will be improved to
a high standard of efficiency at least at an
early date, yet the assured growth of the
country and the capacity Of these waters
not only for navigation but for other uses
render imperative the necessity for their
control and utilization as an asset of al
most unlimited value. 1t is desirable that
these waterways, of which portions have
been surveyed or improved for purposes
of navigation, should be further investt-
gated with a view to the systematic de-
velopment or interstate m in CO.
ordination with all other uses of the
waters and benefits to be derived from
them.
While the railways Of mainland United
states have been notably efficient in ex-
tending and promoting the production and
of the country. it is clear hat
at seasons recurring with increasing fire.
quency they are unable 10 keep pace with
production or TO meet the requirements OF
transportation.
While navigation of the inland water
ways declined with the increase in rail
transportation during the later decades
Of the past century, it has become clear
that the time is at hand for restoring and
developing such inland navigation and
water transportation as upon expert ex-
animation may appear TO confer a benefit
commensurate with the cost, to be utilized
both Independently and as a necessary adj
Junct to rail transportation
Recommendations.
We that hereafter plans for
the Improvement of navigation in inland
waterways, or for any use of these water
ways in connection with interstate com
merce, shall take account of the purifca-
ton of the waters, the development OF
power, the control Of foods, the reclama-
ton of lands by irrigation and drainage,
and all other uses Of the waters or bene-
fits to be derived from their control.
That hereafter both local and general
benefits to the people shall be fully con-
sidered in any such plans for the improve
ment of navigation in inland waterways,
or for any use of these waterways in ron
nection with interstate commerce.. and
that wherever practicable federal agen-
cies shall cooperate with state, munici-
p~alities, communities, corporations. and
individuals with a view TO an equitable
distribution of costs and benefits.
That hereafter any plans for the navi-
cation or other use of inland waterways
in connection with Interstate m
shall take full account Of transfer facili-
ties and sites, and of the location OF
tracks, grades, bridges, dams. depots, and
other works on n~avigable and source
streams with q view to equitable cooper
alton between waterway and railway ia
c~ilities for the promotion of commerce
and the benefit of the people.
That any plans for improving the in
land waterways shall take account of the
present and prospective relation of rail
lines TO such waterways, and shall ascer-
tain so far as may be whether such water
ways when improved will be effectively
used IN the face of railway competition;
and that the relations between railways
and waterways be further examined with
the purpose of devising means of render
ing the two systems complementary and
harmonious and making such fair division
of traffic that rates and management may
be co-ordinated economically and with
benefit TO the county.
The adoption Of means for aScertaining
regularly all facts related to traffic on
the inland waterways, and for publishing
the same in a form suitable for general
use.
The adoption of means for ascertaining
and rendering available. at such rate as
to meet public necessities. all requisite
data related TO the physical character and
general utility Of the ~navigabie and source
streams of the country.
That the congress be asked to make
provision for improving the in
land waterways of the United States at
a rst e commensurate with the needs of
the people as determined by competent
authority; and we suggest that such pro-
vision meet these requisites. viz: Expert
framing OF a definite policy: certainty OF
and coordination OF plan and
work: expert initiative in the choice OF
projects and the succession OF works:
freedom In selection Of projects in accord
ance with terms of cooperation: and the
widest opportunity for applying modern
business methods.
That the congress be asked to authorize
the coordination and proper development
of existing public service connection with
waterways; and we suggest that such en-
actment might provide that the president
the advice and consent Of the Senate, TO
appoint and organize a national water
commission TO bring into co-ordina-
ton the corps of engineers Of the army,
the bureau of soils, the forest service. the
bureau Of corporations. the reclamation
service and other branches of the public
service In so far as their work relates TO
inland waterways, and that he be auth
to make such details and require
such duties from these branches OF the
public service in connection with navig-
and source streams as are not neon
with law: the said commission to
continue the investigation of all questions
relating TO the development and improve
ment and utilization of the inland water
ways of the country and the conservation
of its natural resources related thereto,
and to consider and coordinate Herewith
all matters Of irrigation, swamp and over
flow land reclamation. Qualification and
publication of streams, prevention of soil
waste, utilization of water power, preser-
n tinn and nyfnnGinn Of fnrnafG rnUtIla-