The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1909-01-28
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transportation for the porducts of
those countries to all markets of the
world, and shut out or displace the
manufacturers and agriculturists of
the United States?
Shall we wait until 1T is too late,
only to find that our greatest compel
itor, Germany, has by wise methods
and the liberal use OF means construct
ed waterways and vessels to supplant
the commerce of this country?
Is 1t not the peaceful competition of
trade and traffic, and not the arbitra-
ment of war we must fear most and
contend against?
To do this effectively we must pro-
vide cheap transportation facilities in
this country, and water rates establish
the maximum of rail rates.
Should not the people in the great
est productive region on earth, in the
garden empire of the world, the great
Mississippi Valley, let their demands
be known in no uncertain terms and
effectually stop the hating and vacil-
ating policy that has been applied to
this great economic proposition of wa
terway Improvement?
Let Congress adopt and work to a
concrete plan of waterway develop
ment, and not continue a haphazard
"hit-or-miss policy, which has been so
expensive and unfruitful of compensat-
ing or permanent results.
We can gain lesson from Canada,
which is now turning it's attention to
waterway development, which must
soon encroach upon the commercial
developme nt and transportation facil-
tiles of large portion of our country.
The time is at hand when discussion
should cease and action commence in
the great work our nation has before
it in the improvement for actual and
active use, of its great waterways sys-
tenn
Paved Landing for the Boats.
1t is timely that all cities on the
! upper river take in charge the ques-
ton of preserving for all future time,
convenient and suitable landing plac-
es for steamers The Improvement OF
these landings will enhance the ap-
pearance of each locality, and from the
standpoint of local necessity, demands
prompt and suitable action.
The attention of municipal author
/ tiles is called to, the following preso-
| luton, adopted as part of the report of
| the committee on resolutions at the
! Clinton convention.
/ Whereas, Owing to the slow rise
| and fall of the Mississippi river 1t
has been found by practical men In
/ charge of packets, handling freight
/ and passengers, that the paved levee
makes the most convenient landing
place, therefore, Resolved, That this
1 association requests the municipal
tiles along the upper river to order
their levee boat landings paved with
as little delay as possible in view OF
the coming river traffic"
Action of the Federal Government
The committee on resolution, at the
Clinton convention, reported the FOL
lowing. which was adopted:
Resolved, That the federal govern
ment should at the earliest time obtai1
and compile accurate and complete in
formation, concerning the ownership
occupation and condition of all thu
levees and landing places of the var
ious cities towns and villages alonl
the Mississippi river between and in
Guiding ST. Louis Missouri and Still
water Minnesota, so that the publ
interests can be properly cared TO
by the necessary action of the civil
authorities having charge of such plae
es. to the end that any Improvement o
the Mississippi river shall be fully uti
led by and for the benefit of the peopl
WHO are compelled to pay for it, an