The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-07-31

That the most effective way to induce
commerce to return TO the rivers OF this
country is TO protect them against the
Unrestricted competition Of the railroads
is the opinion 10 which the members OF
the Congressional Commission on Water
ways are fast tending. Senator Burton
has recently admitted that he Is con-
WINGED on this point, but he has serious
misgiyiugs as to whether the country
would favor the very legislation which
would accomplish the desired result
The commission IS getting plans per
fected for it's trip 20 Europe, and is
making up its itinerary. securing ap-
pointments to meet authorities on water
ways and transportation in general IL
the various countries which VIII be Wis
tied. and getting together all possible
material which may be utilized to facilI-
tate the investigation
The commission has had It's attention
called particularly 10 the experience Of
European countries In which 1t has
actually been necessary TO pass laws
prescribing that railroad rates shall not
be made so low as canal rates, when the
rail and waterways compete. By this
means only has it been found possible
10 keep the railroads from taking all
the freight. driving the boats off the
waterways-and then advancing the
rates higher than ever.
Speaking of this matter Senator Bur
ton expressed the opinion that the most
important thins TO be accomplished now,
TO reinstata traffic on the rivers, Was
&c protect the business. But he added
IL don't know whether the country
would view with favor the effort TO
pass legislation which would accom-
pIish this purpose. Suppose. for i'll
stance, an act should be proposed that
the rate between St. Louis and Kansas
CITY. on railroad, must not be less than
100 uer cent Of the rate by the Missouri
river carriers, how would the people
Of those cities. and OF ether places con-
re,nef. feel about it2 And suppose like
! legislation were proposed for the route
from ST. Louis TO New Orleans What
1 would be the effcctt
."Tne railroads, of course, are able to
| take the business away from the water
/ courses. if permitted unrestricted com
petitfou: aud besides doing this they
have i'm fact. bought control of the
/ waterfront realty. and made il impOs-
sihle for boats ID secure landings in
mang cities. 1 am inclined to the be-
lief that under present physical Condi-
/ tions ON the Mississippi that river would
make it possible TO sustain profitable
/ traffic by steamboats,, II only the ter
uinals could be occurred and the rail-
roads were not permitted to drive the
! business away by excessive competitive
/ methods
This expression by Senator Burton is
regarded as of the highest significance
/ in view OF the fact that i'm recent years
/ students of the internal waterways sit
uaticn have been tending toward the
same conclusions The Congressional
/ commission is getting ready IOr some
! pailstaking Investigations along this
/ line.
/ This new view of the matter, il
adopted would mean that protective
/ legislation for the " erWay commerce
/ would UUeCede eIf"--s al physical inn
/ provement of the rivers. The expense
/ of a general scheme of river improve
meut and canal building is so immense
/ that il stdggers Investigators More
| over, they ind, as IN the case Of the