The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1908-03-05
Chief ASKS BIC
waterway PLAN
CONGRESS GETS NEW MESSAGE
FROM PRESIDENT ON RE.
PORT OF COMMISSION.
Roads Are Scored for Failure 70
Handle Commerce - Executive
Therefore Advises That the inland
System Be Operated.

Washington. Feb. 26.-President
Roosevelt Wednesday transmitted to
congress a special message on the re-
port of the inland waterways commits
sion. The message in part: II trans.
init herewith preliminary report
from the inland waterways commits
sion. which was appointed by me last
March in response to a widespread
interest and demand II Jm the people.
The basis of this demand lay in
the general and admitted inability Of
the railroads to handle promptly the
traffic of the country, and especially
the crops of the previous fall. This
report is we'll worth your attention.
II is thorough, conservative, sane and
Just. 1t represents the mature judg-
ment of a body of men exceptionally
qualified. by personal experience and
knowledge OF conditions throughout
the United States, to understand and
discuss the great problem of how best
to use our waterways in the interest
of all the people Unusual care has
been taken to secure accuracy and
balance OF statement.
Report ls Conservative.
III the report errs at all II is by
over-conservatism. 1t contains find-
ings or statements OF fact, a number
OF specific recommendations, and an
account OF inquiries still In progress,
and 1t is based in part on statistics
and other information contained in a
volumlnous appendix The subject
with which It deals is OF critical i'm.
pOrtance both to the present and the
future OF our country.
Our river systems are better adapt.
ed to the needs OF the people than
those OF any other country. In ex.
tent. distribution, naVigability, and
ease OF use, they stand irst Yet the
rivers OF no other civilized country
are so poorly developed. SO little used,
or play so small a part in the indus
trial life of the nation as those Of the
United States. In view of the use
made of rivers elsewhere, the failure
20 use our own is astonishing, and no
thoughtful man can believe that It will
last. The accompanying report indi-
Gates clearly the reasons for It and
the way TO end It.
Work Should Start.
Work once begun should be prose
cuted steadily and vigorously to com
pletion. We must make sure that
projects are not undertaken except for
sound business reasons, and that the
best modern business methods are
applied in executing them. The de-
cision to undertake any project should
rest on actual need ascertained by In.
yestigation and judgment Of experts
and on its relation TO great river sys.
TENS or to the general plan, and never
ON mere clamor. The Improvement OF
our inland waterways can and should
be made to pay for itself so far as
practicable from the incidental pro.
ceeds 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 pro
vided, by bond issue II necessary, and
the work should be delayed no longer.
The development Of our waterways
and the conservation of our forests
are the two most pressing physical
needs of the country. They are inter
dependent, 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.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT"