Omaha daily bee., 1908-10-08

served by water transportation and these
reductions in turn similarly affect parallel
lines far to either side of the water route;
thus each waterway has it's zone of influ-
ence upon freight rates.
Nor do the savings in freight charges,
direct and indirect, measure the full bene-
fit of the improved waterway to the pub
use of all alike, the danger of monopoly
is much reduced, ana its carrying capac-
ity, unlike that of the railway, is unlim-
tied. We have here then every justiflca-
ton for the Improvement OF our water
ways upon a sensible and liberal basis.
Other countries not so favorably. situated
IN the location ana extent OF tneir water
ways are far advanced in the solution of
these problems. Germany, France, Hol-
land, Belgium have developed, at en-
ternal waterwayHiS And in Germany, at
least, great extensions are yet contem-
plated.
The producers Of the Emitted states have
a longer hRulsto ethe seaboard than any
TSeeF must S6gA'5 5ySf S%Rsfif tSe fG dis sSFsaS4 sr'' 81
the longer haul by Tho ,iesser freight rate,
for which we must look to the water
ways, navigable all the year round. Nor
does such a policy of waterway improve
ment operate disadvantageously TO the
railroads, even though it compels lower
freight rates, Inconsistent as this state
ment may seem. In the natural economy
Of transportation, the bulky, raw material,
EOHlIldilulllB NhC wv
to the waterway, while. the manutactured
goods Of infinite variey seek the railroad.
BY reason Of the low water rate and the
unlimited carrying capacity OF the water
way, you carry millions Of tons or raw
material to furnaces and factories, there
to be converted into corresponding tons OF
merchandise, capable of bearing q higher
THUS one system becomes complemental
OF the other. Illustrations OF the working
Of this principle are to be found. on the
shores of the great lakes, the Erie. canal
and the Hudson river; These are fanked
on either side by railroads OF u~ndoubted
prosperity, and no less prosperous are the
numberless cities and towns along their
routes. Our seaboards have the advantage
Of water rates, but without detriment to
the prosperity Of the adjacent railroads.
workshops Along Rhine.
The River Rhine, which was made navi-
gable for deep 'draught barges by the Ger
man government, operating in opposition
with railroads on both sides OF 1t, has con-
verted its stored shores into a veritabi-
Your project proposes to connect by a
deep waterway the great lakes system
Mexico and thus with all the harbors Of the
world. 1t is a, grand conception and APP
peals to the thOughtful consideration of
those who must finally pass upon It's adop-
ton. The Mississippi river, with its great
tributaries, dia ms an empire vastly greater
In all the res 7urces, OF nature than those
mighty stream and the territory beyond 1t
ever dreamed OF.
The Ohio river, one OF its largest afflu-
ences. itself a thousand miles in length.
drains a territory as large as the German
empire, and win. when improved to its
pro- osed depth of nine feet, bring into con-
nection with the Gulf of Mexico one OF the
greatest manufacturing districts Of the
country and a section rich in the varied
products OF mans industry and ingenuity.
The Missouri river flows through agricu-
ltural dis ri,ts Of unexcelled produCtiveness IS.
and all have their tributaries Of greater or
lesser usefulness and importance. The Inn
provement OF all these so as to make them
serve the best purp,ses Of navigation must
be ultimately accomplished The probl ms
OF their improvement are diff
cult, even intricate, though not insurmount-
able. . b.f
The achievement of these great ends can
not. however. be worked out through con-
gress without a radical departure from the
course of the procedure heretofore EN-
ployed. No projects should be approved
without the most careful consideration as
TO their feasibility and usefulness. When
the execution OF an approved project has
once been determined on It should be car.
ried to completion as rapidly as possible
so that the peoples investment may bt
made to bring returns at earliest possible
moments.
During my term as secretary OF war