Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-05-05


of the Upper Mississippi River I'm
provement association, has issued the
following circular letter:
To Members and Others Interested:
Several measures of more than passing
interest have been proposed recently
relating to the Improvement and devel-
opment Of waterways, which indicate
deep interest is being taken in carry
ing forward plans for the early con-
summation of the project as whole.
Brief mention only can be made
herein, with the hope that all associa-
tions, as well as individuals, who may
be interested, will make further in
quiry, and assist in bringing before
the public the subject matter in COM
| plete form SO each and all may become
| fully advised.
Bureau of Waterways.
Congressman Joseph E. Ransdell, a
member of the rivers and harbors COM
mittee of the house of representatives,
and president of the National Rivers
and Harbors congress, has introduced
in the house of representatives bill,
No. 1883, having for its object the
creation of a new executive depart
ment of transportation and public
works This department will include
a bureau to be called the bureau of
Waterways, the commissioner of which
would have power to examine and in
|vestigate the physical character and
general utility of the waterways OF
the United States for the purpose of
navigation, etc.; also all matters re-
lating to the development, improve
ment and utilization of these water
ways, with view to improving navi-
Igation.
If this bill becomes law, it will re-
lmove the control of the waterways
from the war department to that of
the new department. 1t will also open
the way to the employment of civil
ians in the general plan of developing
the waterways of the country, and at
1.-THE same time retain and make use of
the knowledge possessed by the U. S.
engineer corps.
The prominent position occupied by
Mr.. Ransdell upon the general propo
sition of development of water trans
portation invites more than passing
notice to this bill on the part of all
interested.
, Inland Waterways Commission.
Another measure of utmost import
| ance has been offered in the house o
Representatives by Congressman Theo
dore E. Burton, chairman of the rivers
and harbors committee. 1t provides
for the appointment of an inland wa
l terways commission. and the improve
4 lment and development of the INLAND
; waterways of the country. The bill
, presented by Mr.. Burton has been re
lferred to the rivers and harbors com
D mittee, and will no doubt be reported
out favorably. The bill in it's detail
Z is almost identical to one proposed b,
UNITED States Senator F. e. Newlands
known as senate bill No. 500. The tw,
i measures, the one proposed by MI
Burton and the other by Senator New
Hands, as amended in the senate. open
: the way to the appointment of pei
" imanent commission, whose duty
, shall be to make such examinations
= Isurveys and estimates as 1t may deter
: mine upon for any project or improve
: ment or construction of an inland w;
: terway or coastal waterway; the ide
= being to deal with the proposition c
: waterway development as a whole, an
:. in such a thorough and intelliger
manner as will offer concrete an
:, well matured plan for the improve
!, tment of the rivers, harbors, lakes an
= fcanals of the entire country. 1t is r,
= Iported that Secretary of War Taft ha
:, endorsed the bill, and more may b
% heard of it before the Goth congress
finally ends.
Is Meeting to be Held In Washington.
III The meeting of governors, senator
S, and others. including the represent
D. ,tives of various waterway association
J; to be held in the White house at Was
O. lington, May 20 and 81. promises to b
J; ,one of the. greatest gatherings that hs
le ever been held in this country for I'll
ot promotion and development of the pr
lie ductive interests Of the United State
II 1t has been called by President Roos
in welt, whose zeal in the welfare Of h
g.