Omaha daily bee., 1909-10-17

away with the idea Of waterway develop
ment, without much thought of the cost
and with little knowledge or concern as to
how the cost shall be provided. One such
person called on ne within a year to urge
the Importance OF this Internal improve
ment to the extent OF $500. 0O0. 900. When l
told him that the real question was whether
or not he would approve OF congress issu-
ing bonds and going into debt for 500 900
he hesifaled and finally concluded that he
did not want TO see the government go into
debt But that is the real question, and
enthusiasm for waterways. unless coupled
with readiness and willingness TO Issue
bondJ for the amount required, will be of
no avail. The government does not have
the money at hand for so large an under
taking. 1t could not raise IT fast enough
by taxation to complete the work, and IL
It could It would not be proper to make
this generation pay so large a sum for
work that few men now living could get
much benefit from. The question is, then,
Shall we break away from our teachings
and traditions OF the past and launch forth
upon this new undertaking. Shall we be-
gin his great work for all the ages to
come, even though in doing so we must
trample upon some Of our political ideals.
Issue OF Bonds Necessary
The American people have learned to dis
like a national debt. II has been the dream
Of every American that the good day will
surely conn when our national debt shall
be paid and when no bond Of American
liability shall be hawked about the market
places of the world. But can we afford
longer to neglect opportunity for a fetish
and abandon duty for tradition? ldealistic
as II is TO keep out of debt. II is not prae-
teal always with men or nations II they
would achieve in the largest way; and
dear as traditions always are. they are
not to be compared in obligation to duty
with our responsibilities 20 the future.
Every generation has been called upon
to do some great work, TO solve some
great problem, and to make some great
sacrifice for the future generations Of
Americans. First was the revolutionary
war Of the fathers that their children
might have liberty. Then the civil war
by our more immediate predecessors that
their children might be one in political
affairs and affection. One generation de-
fled almost the constitution itself that
the future generations might have homes,
and every generation has wrought that
it's successor might have improved oppor-
tunity. We Of today with our unlimited
credit and cheap money owe to our sue
eessors our endeavors for their welfare.
II greater transportation facilities are
needed now, what will It be with the
multiplied millions OF a half century
hence2 II commerce needs more eeonom
ical transportation now. how much greater
will Il need II then; II the brains OF men
must be racked now TO cheaper produce
! ton sufficient to the demands OF con-
sumption. how much more difficult will
the problem be then? While We and our
predecessors have wasted millions our sue
eessors must be prepared to save the PEN
niles. They must harness the waterfall
for power and utilize It's flow for eeOnom-
icaI transportation.
While It Is our duty TO undertake this
great work. II is not necessary OF proper
that we should pay for It all. any more
than that the revolutionary war should
have teen paid for by the fathers OF the
republic. or that all the cost Of the civil
war should have been paid for by the
same men who fought its battles. II Is
no less our duty 10 BEGIN this great work
for the benefit Of future generations than
IL was for other generations TO do what
they did. We would be as recreant to our
trust as Washington would have been
Negligent OF Tvs oDAHalAuhr II &c suVu4u
hesitate because Of the great expense and
national Indebtedness that e would imply.
EeOaOmy In ride
We have not only been wasteful as in
diriduals IN the past but We have been
extremely careless Of every ruls OF economy
In our industrial and commercial affairs.
Il has been 80 easy to produce from the
virgin soil, and markets have been so
ready al almost any price that We have
been too little concerned at the loss be-
tween the producer and the consumer.
This cannot always Onunu ! had oo-