The Point Pleasant register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, W. Va.) 1909-1939, 1909-10-27
BUREAU OF PUBLICITY.
NATIONAL RIVERS AND HARBORS CON.
cess, FORRELEASES UNDAYOCT.24.

I SSFSSLA "hSA SS S0PkSlS
Court of the United States gave its
fzst decision on the commerce clause
sFthe Constitution by defining com-
nerce' as 'comprehending nayiga-
tion,' the way was paved for others
to follow and lighted for the benefit
nFcongress in the enactment offuture
legislation and thus the first great
monopoly was struck down.n
Senator Duncan U. Fletcher made
this statement in the, course of an
interesting discussion on the impera-
tive need for improving the water
ways of the country to keep abreast
efthe Nations production. Senator
Fletcher is president of the Missis-
sippi-to-Atlantic Waterway AssOcia-
ion which viii hold its second annual
convention at jacksonville, Florida,
November Is, 16 and II terminating
IFS sessions just as the Atlantic Deep
er Waterways Association begins its
meetings in Norfolk, Va, November
II, IS, 10 and go.
The junior Senator from Florida is
m enthusiastic advocate of broad,
comprehensive and systematic policy
of waterway betterments in order
that the rivers, harbors and canals of
tie country may be preserved, de-
velOped, and maintained.
I'VE are face to face with gigan-
tic Industralism,'' said Senator
Fletcher. I'VE must have care
for the producers and see that no
monopoly of Transportation can injure
the people upon whom our prosperity
must depend. We have had actual
experience in traffic generalization,
and the losses and Inconvenience
already experienced can scarcely be
calculated. Wisdom demands that
something be done looking to an in
crease of transportation facilities, to
relieve congestion and the only way
relief to the producer and consumer
can be brought about is through
proper care of our waterways, re-
sponsibility resting with the general
government.
1t is claimed, with strong sup
port, that the movement of traffic
long distances is more rapid by water
than by rail. The productions of the
farms, mines, manufactures and the
various other industries of the coun-
try are making tremendous gains.
The problem is to reach the markets.
The interchange of commodities re-
quires increased facilities. 1t is a
wholesome thing to add to the ways
and means of communication among
the people. 1t strengthens the Re-
public by cementing all its parts in
close business and social relation.
The interior must have access to the
seaboard. The various terminals at
the seaboard should be accessible to
each other. Our foreign trade must
grow, and we should prepare for the
expanding commerce, aided by the
Panama, Canal and other influences
at work in that direction. Posteritv
viii be the beneficiary and posterity
ought and will be in position to con-
tribute towards the cost of this utili-
zation Unnatural advantages, increase
National economies, enabling US to
meet the commercial competition of
the world.
A commission to determine upon
the scope and plan of complete
system of waterway improvement
should be created and enough money
should be raised by bond issue, as
needed, to do the work within a
period of ten years.
Eve can utilize our plant as it is
released at Panama with a great saw
ing in expense. This is a matter of
far reaching Importance and delay is
short-sighted and wicked.
The Mississippi-to-Atlantic-wat-
erway Association advocates a band
of unity cementing the interests of