The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1908-04-19
TAFT IN FAVOR OF
WATERWAYS BILL
War Secretary Endorses Many
Provisions OF NewIands'
Measure
Expresses Some Doubt as to
Powers of Proposed
Commission

WASHINGTON. April 1S.-Secretary
Taft has Endorsed enthusiastically the
bin introduced by Senator Newlands.
providing FOR the appointment Of an
inland waterway commission ana for
the Improvement ana development OF a
great scheme Of inland water routes
throughout the country. The approval
from the war department WAS received
today by senator Frye. chairman OF
the committee on commerce A num-
Der OF amendments were suggested TO
perfect the measure.
Provisions OF the bill deemed or
especial merit 10 Secretary Taft were
pointed out by him. Among these is
the provision for coordination between
navigation and other uses Of the waters
in connection with their Improvement
for the promotion OF commerce among
states This is recognized by the war
department as wise and necessary.
The cooperation with states. munich
palities. communities. corporations and
individuals provided by the bin is par
ticularly commended. Ia this connec
ZION Secretary TAFT says:
This provision seems to be based on the con
slantly Increasing utilization 81 tue streams
not only FOR nav ig&tioR but FOR other purposes
which has accompanied extension Of settlement
aud Increase 81 popuie ton. With sparse set
tiemenf largely confined along waterways there
wss little overlapping or conflict ~ interests
connected with the running waters. bun with
present conpafst lively deBsc populs tien not only
all uses of The streams but All cOuf letting IN
ierests must he brought into harmony Ia order
that The waterways MAY be msde generally
beneficial This cannot be done without care
ful regard Tor interests % All the people AMI
Tot 81 the lawful means that mas he en-
iloyed To protect thcm- The a. ni appears 10 IN
thet of promoting uBiaR ~ Interests through
Inntuaily beneficial corporation. AM tbas meet
ma the requirements OF our sfvwinS pepsls
tion and Increasing Industries. This feature
: recognized by the wsr department IS highly
desirable
The proposition for the Initiation Of
the projects by board OF experts
meets with the appreciation Of the war
department. regardless OF the fact that
il trespasses on some OF the functions
81 that department which are pre-
scribed ny existing law. Secretary
Taft says:
TIE creation ~ an inland waterways COM
mission Tor the purpose al Initiating plans for
The Improvement of waterways seems 70 he
more effective way of general plan FOR the
Improvement 81 all the waterways Of the coun-
Try than under Tie present provisions Of law
machinery Turn ished by The war department
-or tlte iua,.rgrerle1; Of the vafer-ysrS when
the plsn has been determined upon and is 10
De executed L. supplies what does exist
in the law nova tribunal other than con
Developing a satisfactory plsn.
No opinion is expressed by Secretary
Taft as TO how far the great power
put on the proposed commission in the
matter Of the expenditure OF money
should be limited. The bin makes an
appropriation Of S56.0oe. Gee to carry
on the work and provides for the is
suaBce of bonds when this fund should
fan below $50 Geo. Gee. The suggestion
of limitation on the commission is
thought 10 indicate some doubt in the
mind Of the officials OF the war de
partment as 10 the wisdom of placing
TOO much power in its hands. Secre-
tary Taft suggests that a provision
should be adopted requiring that the
chief OF engineers of the army shall
he a member Of the commission and
shan detail military engineers to the
service OF the commission whenever
such detail shah be consistent with
their military duties.
Secretary Taft suggested certain
changes in the form OF the bill 70 meet
Constitutional and legal objections
that occurred TO him. These relate 10
the general authority o. congress over
inland waterways ia connection with
navigation: the specific authority over
collateral works for purposes incidental
10 the Improvement Of navigation and
the reservation to the government OF
The control over such collateral works
now conferred on il by law.