The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1909-04-02
NATIONAL WATERWAYS COMMITS
SION

In the closing days of the last con-
gress provision was made for ma
tional waterways commission to be
composed OF Twelve members, seven
to be chosen from the membership of
the house of representatives and fiye
from the senate. The members ap-
pointed by the speaker of the house
Of representatives are TheO. E. Bur
ton of Ohio; D. Z. Alexander of New
York, William LOrimer of Illinois, F.
{. Stevens of Minnesota, l. P. Wan
ger of Pennsylvania, S. NJ. Sparkman
Of Florida and John A. Moon of Ten
nessee. The following senators were
appointed by the vice president: J. II.
Gallinger of New Hampshire, S. H.
Piles of Washington, William Alden
Smith of Michigan, F. H. Simmons of
North Carolina and James P. Clarke
of Arkansas.
This commission was established in
response to the very wide demand for
the greater development of our wa
terways for which the national rivers
and harbOrs congress stands, and with
a view to making recommendations
for a policy which should be at the
same time comprehensive and accom-
plish the greatest results at the least
cost, and with a view to the careful
selection of the rivers and channels
to be improved.
This commission differs from the
inland waterways commission, Great
ed by President Roosevelt two years
since in several important particu-
lars. In the first place, the inland
waterways commission was appoint
ed, and its duties defined, in a letter
OF President Roosevelt's without leg
islative sanction. AS a result their
recommendations were made to the
president. He transmitted them to
congress in a message, and their in
Vestigations and recommendations
which were quite vOluminOus and en-
braced a variety of subjects, have
been published in book form. Again,
the inland waterways commission
took into account irrigation, water
power, forest protection, the clarifi-
cation of waters, as well as problems
of navigation.
The national waterways commits
sion, to which reference has been
made has primarily to do with navi-
CATION, giving only incidental atten-
ton 10 water power and other uses
Of water. Thus, in a way, its scope
is very limited. A more vital differ
ence exists. however. in the fact that
its membership is made UP from the
house and senate, and all those who
belong were members of the sixtieth
congress and, in accordance with a
provision of the statute, are also
members Of the sixty-frst congress.
The national waterways commits
sion was organized some days since
by the selection of Senator Theodore
E. Burton of Ohio as chairman, and
Senator J. H. Gallinger of New Hamp-
shire as vice chairman. Mr.. Burton,
when chosen, was a member of the
house, but is now a member of the
senate. and thus, both houses of con-
gress have an equal representation of
six members on the commission.
The law creating this body provid-
ed that they should engage necessary
experts and clerical assistance, and
might call for the detail of officials
from the executive departments, and
for information required in the pros
ecution of their work. The law re-
Quires them to make a preliminary
report not later than January first,
1910, so that their recommendations
may be before congress when the
next river and harbOr bill is framed.
The life of the commission is limit
ed to two years, and it is expected
that a fuller and final report will be
made at later date, perhaps in Jan
uary, 1911. It is the intention of the
members of the commission, either
as a body or by a subcommittee, to
visit waterways in the United States
and in foreign countries as well. 1t
] is not expected that they Will hear
delegations advocating the improve
mens of specific streams and chan
nelS, but that their attention will be
given 10 general principles relating
to water transportation, such as its
relation TO railway transportation
] the utilization of water power, the
prevention OF floods. and the protec
/ ton of banks from erosion. All of
these latter subjects. however. will
/ be considered as Incidents Of the
main problem. which is 10 improve
and develop navigation.
During the coming summer most, if