Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-03-05
IMPROVE THE RIVERS
PLEA OF ROOSEVELT
President Sends Special Message
with Report on Waterways
to Congress.
VAST POWER BEING WASTED.
Commerce and Irrigation Pcssibili-
ties of Big Rivers-Would Guard
Against Private Monopoly.

message to Congress dealing with in
land waterways, together with pre-
liminary report Of the inland water
ways commission. The President points
out the vast possibilities of the river
systems of the country. which he says
are better adapted TO the needs of the
people than those of any other coun-
try, yet the rivers of no other civilized
country are so poorly developed.
Running parallel with the possibili-
ties of the rivers as freight carriers,
the President points out their possibili-
ties for purposes of power and irriga-
ton, which he says are no less impor-
tant. He contends that all three pur-
poses can be served without injuring
either. In this connection the neces-
sity of guarding against the possibility
of private mOnop0lies controlling the
water power to be developed is pointed
out. A plea for systematic plan to
stop the waste in natural resources is
urged, based on the commissions re-
port.
Mr.. Roosevelt commends the proposed
waterway very highly and urges its con-
struction. After speaking of the report
he says:
1.-THE commission finds that it was I'M
regulated railroad competition which pre-
vented or destroyed the development of
commerce On our inland waterways. The
Mississippi, our greatest natural highway,
is a case in point. At one time traffic
upon it was without a rival in any coun-
try. The report shows that commerce
was driven from the Mississippi by the
railroads.
while production was limited, the rail-
! ways. with their convenient terminals,
gave quicker and more satisfactory service
than the waterways. Later they prevent
ed the restoration of river traffic by keep
ing down their rates along the rivers, re-
coupling themselves by higher charges else
where. This should not be allowed to
continue
1.-The report rests throughout on the
fundamental conception that every water
way should be made to serve the people
as largely and in as many different
ways as possible. 1t is poor business to
develop a river for navigation in such
way as to prevent its use for power, when
by little foresight it could be made to
serve both purposes. We cannot afford
needlessly to sacrifice power to irrigation,
or irrigation to domestic water supply,
when by taking thought we may have all
three.
THE development of our inland wafer
ways will have results far beyond the i'm
mediate gain to commerce. Deep chan
nels along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts
and from the Gulf to the Great Lakes will
have high value for the national defense
Forest protection, without which river
improvements cannot be permanent, will
at the same time help to postpone the
threatened timber famine Irrigation
will create the means of livelihood for mil
lions of people. If the policy of water
ways Improvement here recommended is
carried out. it will affect for COED every
citizen of the republic
The President then warns against the
shortsighted granting of franchises to cor
porations and against the absorption of
water power by combined capital He
says:
No rights involving water power
should be granted to any corporation In
perpetuity, but only for a length of time
| sufficient to allow them to conduct thelI
! business probably! A reasonable charge
should of course be made for valuable
| rights and privileges which they obtain
| from the national government. The val
ues for which this charge is made will
ultimately, through the natural growth
and orderly development of our population
and industries, reach enormous amounts
The proceeds thus secured, after the cost
of administration and improve ment has
been met, should naturally be devoted to
| the development of our inland water
ways"
After urging the Importance of the
waterways Mr.. Roosevelt closes:
adequate funds should be provided, by
bond issue if necessary, and the work
should be delayed no longer. The de-
velopment of our waterways and the con-
servation of our forests are the two most
pressing physical needs of the country.
The question of organization, powers, and
appropriations are now bef6$e the Con
gress There is urgent need for prompt
and decisive action
Points in the Message.