The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1908-02-29

springs. TIE proceeds TINS secured,
after the cost OF administration and
Improvement has been met, should
naturally be devoted TO the develop
ment OF our inland waterways
Valuable Natural Asset
The report Justly calls attention the
fact that hitherto our national policy
has been one OF almost unrestricted
disposition and waste OF natural re-
sources. and emphasizes the funda-
mental necessity for conserving these
resources upon which our present ana
future success as nation primarily
rests. Running water Is most vaiu-
able natural asset OF the people. aud
there Is urgent need for conserving II
for navigation. for power, for irriga-
'tion. and for domestic and municipal
supply.
The Commission was appointed 10
obtain information concerning orr
waterways as related 10 the general
welfare. Much work was done, but
more remains 10 be done before a plan
for their development can be prepared
In detail. We need additional IN
formation on the flow OF our streams.
the condition OF channels, the amount
and cost OF water traffic. the require
ments for terminals. the area in each
watershed which should be kept IN
der forest. and the means OF prevent
ing soil.waste and the consequent
damage 10 our rivers. But II Is neither
necessary nor desirable 10 postpone
the beginning OF the work until all
the facts are obtaInable. We have
suffered heavily in the past from the
lack OF adequate transportation facl.i-
ties. and unless a beginning Is made
promptly we shall suffer still more
heavily In the future.
Mississippi Loop of Sea.
Being without funds or an expert
staff. the Commission has confined H.
SELF TO principles affecting the whole
problem and the entire country. It's
report IL a plea. In the light OF actual
facts. for simplicity and directness In
dealing with the great problem OF our
inland waterways in the interest OF the
people. Ii submits no specific plans
or recommendation concerning even
the most important projects. The
first OF these OF course concerns the
Mississippi and its tributaries, whose
commercial development will directly
affect half our people The Missssip-
pi should he made n loop of the SEA
and work upon II should be begun az
the earliest possible moment. 0n'y
less important is the Atlantic inner
passage. parts Of which are already un-
der way. The inner passages along the
Gulf coast should be extended aad
connected with the Atlantic waters
! The need for the developing OF the
/ Pacific coast rivers is not less pressing
Our people are united IN support of q,
immediate adoption OF a progressive
policy OF inland waterway develop.
ment.
! Hitherto our national policy or In
I land waterway development has been
largely negative. No single agency
has been responsible under the con
grcss for making the best use of oul
rivers or for exercising foresight u
their development. In the absence OF
comprehensive plan, the only safe
policy was one OF repression anc
procrastlnation. Frequent changes o.
plan and plecemeal execution 81
| projects have still further hampere'
/ Improvement. A channel Is no deep
er than its shallowest reach, and e
improve n river short of the point OF
effective navlgablllty is a sheer vast
OF all its costs. In spite Of large ap
preparations for their Improvement
our rivers are less servlceable for I'm
terstate commerce today than thel
were half century ago, ana in spite
of the vast Increase in our population
and commerce they are on the who'll
less used
Definite and Progressive Policy.
The first condition OF successful de
velopment OF our waterways Is ,
definite and progressive policy Tn
second Is a concrete general plan, pre-
pared by the best experts available
covering every use 10 which on
streams can be put We shall not sue
coed until the responsibility for admin
isterlng the policy and executing am
! a.. I.Apff.l.r Lat