Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1908-04-19
Taft Believes II Only Sen.
sible Way Of Initiating
the Great Work
He Says Navigation Feature
Should Be Combined with
Control Of Power

reIary Iaft mas lndOrSeQ enthusiast
ticalIy the bill introduced by Sena-
tor Newlands providing for the ap-
pointment of an inland waterway
commission and for the improve
ment and development of the great
scheme of inland water routes
throughout the country. The ap-
prevail from the war department was
received by Senator Frye, chairman
Of the committee on commerce. A
number of amendments were sug-
gested to perfect the measure.
The provisions of the bill noted as
of special merit by Secretary Taft
were pointed out by him. Among
these is the provision for co-opera-
uses of the waters in connection
promotion Of commerce. This is
recognized by the war department,
ssas wise and necessary"
The cooperation with states,
municipalities, communities, corpor-
ations and individuals provided by
the bill is particularly commended.
In this connection Secretary Taft
says:
..This provision scenes to be based
on the constantly increasing utiliZa
s ton of the streams not only for navi-
cation, but for other purposes which
has accompanied the extension Of set
Element and increase of population.
With sparse settlement lZrgely con-
fined along the waterways, there was
little overlapping or conflict of in
terests connected with running wat
ers; but with the present compare
lively dense population, not only all
uses of the streams but all conflict
ing interests must be brought into
harmony in order that the waterways
may be made generally beneficial
This cannot be done without careful
regard for the interests of all the
people and for all lawful means that
may be employed. to protect them.
The aim appears to be that of pro-
noting a union of interest through
) mutually beneficial cooperation, and
thus meeting the requirements of our
growing population, and the increas-
ing industries. This feature is rec
ognized by the war department as
highly desirable
The proposition for initiation of
the projects by a board of experts
meets with the appreciation of the
war department, regardless of the
fact that it trespasses upon some OF
the functions of that department
Y which are preserved in existing laws.
2 Secretary Taft says:
s.The creation of an inland water
WAYS commission for the purpose of
initial ag plans for waterways seems
to be ? more effective way in general
plan for the Improvement of all the
waterways of the country than I'M
der present provisions of the law.
This would not dispense with the
admirable machinery furnished by
the war department for the improve
ment of the waterways when the
plan has been determined upon, and
is to be executed. 1t supplies what
does not exist in law nova trib-
unal other than congress, charged
with duty of originating and develop
ing satisfactory plans.
No opinion is express by Secretary
Taft as to how far the great power
put upon the proposed commission
in the matter of expenditure of mon
ey should be limited. The bill makes
appropriation of $4,000, 900 to carry
on the work and provides for the
issuance of bonds should this fund
fall below S20OO0,O0O.
The suggestion of limitation upon
the commission is thought to indicate
some doubt in the minds of officials
Of the war department as to the wis
dom of placing too much power in
its hands Secretary Taft suggests
that provision should be adopted
requiring that chief engineers Of the
army shall be member of the com
mission and for a detail of military
engineers to their service Of the
commission whenever such detail
shall be consistent with military du
ties.
Secretary Taft suggested certain
changes in the form of a bill to NEE
constitutional objections that occurred
to him. These amendments relate tt
the general authority of congress
over inland waterways in connection
with navigation; specific authorit!
oyer collateral works for purposes in
cfdental to improvement of naviga
ton, and reservation to the govern
ment of control over such collatera