The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1908-03-05
Chief ASKS BIG
waterway plan.
CONGRESS GETS NEW MESSAGE
FROM PRESIDENT ON RE-
PORT OF COMMISSION.
Roads Are Scored for Failure to
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: 81 trans
nit herewith a preliminary report
from the inland waterways commits
sion, which was appointed by me last
March in response to a widespread
interest and demand from 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.
It is thorough, conservative, sane and
just. It represents the mature judy
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 Is Conservative.
IF the report errs at all it 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 it is based in part on statistics
and other information contained in a
voluminous 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, ant
ease of use, they stand first. 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 Is those of thu
United States. In view of the u.s.
made of rivers elsewhere, the failure
to use our own is astonishing, and nj
thoughtful man can believe that it will
last. The accompanying report ind
Gates clearly the reasons for it an
the way to end it.
Work Should Start.
"Work once begun should be prose
! cuted steadily and vigorously to CON
pletion. We must make sure tina
projects are not undertaken except TO
sound business reasons, and that tn
: best modern business methods ar
! applied in executing them. The d.
! cision to undertake any project shout
!: rest on actual need ascertained by il
: vestigation and judgment of expert
I and on its relation to great river sy'
\ TENS or to the general plan, and neve
j: on mere clamor. The improvement {
: our inland waterways can and shout
I be made to pay for itself so far
practicable from the incidental pr
; cceas from water power and othe
uses. Navigation should of course
4 free. But the greatest return wi
come from the increased commerce
growth, and prosperity of our peopl
For this we have already waited tt
long. Adequate funds should be pr
!. vided, by bend issue if necessary, ar
n the work should be delayed no longe
m The Development of our waterwa.
< and the conservation of our fores
Z are the two most pressing physic
4 needs of tie country. They are int
dependent, and they should be m
i vigorously, together, and at once. II
= questions Of organization, powers, al
y appropriations are now before the CO
gress. There is urgent need f
prompt and decisive action.
I. THEODORE ROOSEVELT"
Y: oe1o,- &c 1eno "a q, no-