The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1909-12-03
ALL SECTIONS UNITED III

In the discussion of Improvement of
the inland waterways of then i United
States, the fact othat the old time
policy of sporadic appropriations for
special objects, not regarding the char
acter nor the value of the stream when
improved, is especially noticeable. The
reason, though obvious always, was not
given it's just weight in the times
when appropriations for waterway i'm
provements went by favor land were
looked upon in the light of fads, use
full in the days preceding nominations
rather than useful to trade and COM
merce. The trade and commercial in
terests of the country pushed forward
by the irresistible force of develop
ment are now as unit in appreciation
of the fact fthatdthe inland waterway
is the natural avenue between ship
per and receiver and that, When i'm
proved, development can proceed or
unhampered lines with freight conges-
tons avoided and communica ton be-
tween producer and a market always
open.
Moreover, all sections of the United
States are united on the automatic prop
osition that all inland WATERWAYS
worthy of improvement and with ton
mage bearing capacity when improved
are component parts of one magnificent
system of transportation, each bearing
its constituent part to the acomprehen-
sive whole, and with each to receive
the attention OF the government of the
United States in due time and with
complete and effective consideration in
the adoption of the platform of the
National Rivers and Harbors congress
"a policy; not project"
The policy of inland waterway i'm
provement is now in the stage when
unity of action on behalf of the adop-
ton of the policy and the abandon
ment of the project, will command sue
cess. There is no longer question of
the value of the improved inland wa
terway to the trade and commercial
interests of the United States. That
value is. appreciated-and appreciated
lat great cost to shipper and re-
ceiver on the Pacific coast no less
than .on the Atlantic. i, New England
with her manufacturing interests, ap-
preciates the inestimable value of the
inland waterway improved no less than
the value is appreciated in the cotton
and rice and the sugar. fields of the
south, now supplemented by the won.
derful industrial development of that
section. The belt of manufacturing
and mining states extending from the
Delaware, crossing the mountains and
stretching through to the Mississippi
appreciates the value-and across the
Mississippi is the great west stretching
to the foothills of the rockies.
All sections, and all parts of sections
OF the country, with each state of the
forty-six having its especial treasure OF
mine or field or factory, are now as
one in the demand for the adoption OF
that comprehensive. platform--"A policy
not project" The unity of desire is
conceded. The supplemental force is
unity of action. For that reason the
absolute Importance of each and every
section of the Union, and each and
every trade and commercial organiza
ton being adequately represented at
the sixth annual session of the Ma
tional Rivers and Harbors congress, at
the New Willard, Washington, Deem
Der 8, 9, and TO-. cannot be too strong
~ nor too persistently urged. That