Evening journal., 1908-02-26
FOR
GOOD WATERWAYS
Government Regulation Of
Railroads That Control
Canals and Steamboats,
APPROVES REPORT
OF THE COMMISSION
BY THE JOURNALS Special wire.

bS AtAb JOJhNAL special wire.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 26.-President
Roosevelt sent to Congress today
preliminary report of the Inland Wat
erways Commission, supplemented with
Ia message endorsing the project and
urging the immediate carrying out Of
the plan TO improve the Mississippi
river as well us other great water
courses of the countrA even if a bond
issue is necessary
The President advocates government
regulation for those railroads which
control canals and steamboat lines; de-
clares that no rights involving water
power should be granted any corpora
tion in perpetuity, and points out the
great benefit that will come TO the peo-
pie OF the country from the improve
ment of waterways.
The Presidents message in part fol-
lows:
THE commission finds that it was
unregulated railroad competition which
prevented or destroyed the develop
ment Of commerce on our inland water
ways. The Mississippi. our greatest
natural highway, is case in point. AT
one time the traffic upon it was without
rival in any country The reports
show that commerce was driven from
the Mississippi by the railroads While
production was limited. the railways,
with their convenient terminals, gave
quicker and more satisfactory service
than the waterways. Later they pre-
vented the restoration Of river traffic
! by keeping down their rates along the
rivers, recouping themselves by higher
charges elsewhere. They also acquired
water fronts and terminals to an ex-
tent which made water competition i'm.
possible. Throughout the country the
railways have secured such control or
canals and steamboat lines that to-day
inland waterway transportation is
largely in their hands This was
natural and doubtless Inevitable under
the circumstances. hut It should no.
be allowed to continue unless under
careful Government regulation.
Great Gain to Comeroe.
THE development Of our inland
waterways will have results far beyond
the immediate gain to commerce. Deep
channels along the Atlantic and Gulf
! coasts and from the Gulf to the Great
Lakes will have high value for the ma
tional defense fhe use of water
power viii measurably relieve the drain
upon our diminishing supplies of coal
and transportation by water instead Of
rail only will tend 70 conserve our
iron.
"The Commission recognizes that the
cost of improving our inland water
ways will be large, but far less than
would be required to relieve the con-
gestion of traffic by railway extension.
The benefits Of such Improvement will
be large also. and they will touch this
daily life of our PEOPLE at every point,
uniting the interests Of all the States
| and sections of our country. The cost
and the benefits should be equitably
distributed. by cooperation with the
States and the communities. corpora
tions. and individuals benehcially af-
fected.
Opposes Water Grants in Perpetuity.
Among these monopolies. as the re-
port of the Commission points ous,
there is no other which threatens. or
has ever threatened. such intolerable
interference with the daily life of the
people as the consolidation of COM
panies controlling water pawer.
mo rights involving water power
should be granted T. any corporations
in perpetuity, but only for a length of
time sufficient to allow them to conduct
their business probably. A reasonable
charge should of course be made for
valuable rights and privileges which
they obtain from the National Govern
ment. The values for which this charge
is made will ultimately, through the
natural growth and orderly develop
ment of our population and industries
reach enormous amounts. A fair share
of the increase should be safeguards
for the benefit OF the people, from
whose labor it springs. The proceeds
thus secured, after the cost of admins
tration and Improvement has been met
should naturally be devoted to the de-
velopment of our inland waterways.
"The Improvement of our inland
waterways can and should be made tc
paw for itself so far as practicable from
the incidental proceeds from water
power and other nses Navigation
should OF course be free. But The
greatest return will come from the in
creased commerce, growth and prosper
ity of the people, For this we have al
ready waited too long. Adequate funds
should be provided bv bond issue II
necessary. and the work should be de.
layed no longer. The development ol
our waterways and tho conservation OF
our forests are the two most pressing
physical needs of the country. They
. are interdependent, and they should be
, met vigorously, together, and at once
The questions of organization, powers
and appropriations are now before the
Congress. There is urgent need fol
! prompt and decisive sction.
Then is appended the report of th'
Commission. and a supplementary re
port of General Alexander Mackenzie
n and Senator Francis G. Newlands. VIII.
are members of the Waterways Com
mission.
aNn,as