Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1909-12-15
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constitution, which gives to congress
the power to regulate interstate com
merce, and that under such authority
they will not, in fact they cannot
appropriate money for the improve
ment Of any waters except navigable
waters upon which there is naviga-
ton. II there is no navigation, there
Is no interstate commerce to regu-
late, and hence they require first that
the river be navigable and that there
is Interstate commerce upon it, SO
that 1t is necessary for us to encour-
age navigation upon our navigable
rivers. In North Dakota we are do
ing our share in this respect. We
have nine boats on the Missouri at
Bismarck, and there are at least as
many more between Bismarck and
the Montana line. In fact, there was
more navigation on the river in our
state this year than there has been
for many years. The more we use
the river. the more use we will have
for it, and the chances of it's improve.
ment are increased accordingly.
We have the entire country with
us, but we cannot stop agitation.
We must continue to hold our con-
ventions and keep this subject live
before the people and congress. Our
policy Is in harmony with the gen.
eral policy Of the government for
conserva alton of all our natural re-
sources. If we are to harness and
control the great Missouri river, it
will be necessary to have system
Of dams and locks, and great reser-
voirs near it's headwaters, to prevent
the floods that devastate the coun'
try. From these great reservoirs the
semi-arid districts Of the west can be
irrigated and made to blossom as the
rose. From these great dams there
will be water power for factory and
mill. II our forests are being ex-
hausted plant new forests on either
side of the Missouri river. They will
assist in holding back and keeping
the water in the river, and not only
restore in a measure our forests, but
it will add to the beauty of the coun-
try and the improvement of the
river.
The greatest obstacle to the policy
of the improvement Of our inland
waterways is its magnitude and the
tremendous amount of money that it
will cost; but want to tell you that
this is a. great country, and this pro-
blem is not too great for the Ameri.
can people to meet and master. 1t
Is estimated that it will cost FIVE
hundred millions of dollars. 1t will
cost nearly as much to build the
Panama Canal. The improvement of
our nayigable rivers will be of more
benefit to the American people. If
we are justified in issuing and selling
bonds for the building Of the Panama
Canal, surely we are justified in the
issue and sale of bonds for this in
ternal Improvement in which we and
all posterity are interested. We will
have little use for the Panama Canal,
f we cannot use our inland water
ways. If we can, it will be of great
use to US. The Panama Canal, |hen
completed, will be for the use Of the
people of the world. Our rivers
when improved will be for the use
Of the American people. They will
bear upon their bosoms, our ships
carrying our products to the mar
kets OF the world. It wills cost an
immense amount of money, but it
will be paid out to American labor
ers, and for American material, and
will come back into circulation in
American cities and towns, giving us
a permanent, lasting investment, and
leaving us riches in national wealth