Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1908-04-11
NATIONAL RIVERS.

Washington, April 11.--One OF
the most striking changes in con-
gress, and Il is more apparent in
the sixtieth congress than I'm any of
It's predecessors, is the manner In
which the appropriation bills are
considered and framed. There is no
hint of the old "log rolling" OF
other days. No measure now can be
designated as the pork barrel. ="
The day when public money was
voted for private advancement has
passed.
In none OF the appropriation bills
is this more evident than in the
rivers and harbors measure. II Is
true there will be no bill of this
kind at this session, although a
strong fight will be made for a lib
erai appropriation when congress
reconvenes after the summer vaca-
ton. But at the present time the
members OF the rivers and harbors
committee are not idle. They are
carefully considering the proposed
expenditures to be made.
The work OF this important COM
mittee has been lightened to a very
great extent by the educational In
Hutntt vi AHt hhh
Harbors congress. This organiza-
tion has adopted as its motto "A
policy and Not q Project" and
breaches the folly of the struggle |
OF local interests 10 grasp the big |
gest plums. It believes In the gov
ernment expendlng not less than |
$50, 100000 annually on the work |
OF rivers and harbors development,
but II refuses TO say where this
money shall be spent
The lack OF logic exhibited In the
mad scramble for appropriations on
the river and harbor bill is set
forth I'm Senator Knox's recent
speech in Pittsburg. Senator Knox
said:
mo subject OF national policy
has been more distorted by partial
Views, more disfgured by misappre-
honsion, or more dwarfed by the
conflict OF local Interests than the
governmental work OF improving
our harbors and waterwayo, and yet
upon no other one factor does the
future expansion OF commerce so
largely depend. Ii
ITO one element the appropria-
tiong for that purpose appear but
as division OF spoils. BY each par
ticular section It's own Improve
ments are regarded as Legitimate
national claims, while those OF other
sections may seem exaggerated ana
greedy. L.
"The stage has been reached
when local jealousles should be cast
aside, and these limited and partial
Views enlarged TO the perception
that whatever expenditure Is neces-
sary TO bring TO its utmost economic
capacity ev'ry harbor capable OF
commercial utility and every river
able 20 furnish a route for indust- "
rial or agricultural products and
material, IL the most remuneratlyel
Investment that can be made with
national funds"
The use OF the words invest
ment" by Senator Knox II regarded
by waterway enthusiasts as most
happy. They have oontended al
ways that money expended In inter ,
nal improvements is not wasted, as
In building battleships or equipping :
armies. but will return high inter-
In the gulae OF lower freight
rates and increased commerce.
Tho general subject OF waterways
improvements Is receiving greater !
attention with every passing month.
Tho bill providing for legislative
sanction 10 the organization OF the {
Inland Waterways Commission Is al
ready IN the hands OF congress, and !
les passage Is expected. President 4
Roosevelt IN deeply interested In 4
tho matter OF such improvements. i
and he Is especially anxious that a G