The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-01-13

Article Prepared FOR Inland Water
ways Congrcs by Mr.. .. l.. Alnutt--
A Statistical Survey OF the Needs of
me Country and what the Govern
mcns Has Done.
Sumter. 8. c.. Dec. 9, 1908.
II can be safely said that the as
sembling. OF representative citizens,
coming nom every part OF the United
States. constituting the Rivers and
Harbors Congress. L. most important
10 the country. and far reaching in
patriotism. toward an end, that not
only intsrehts tho whole country.
but every citizen from end to end OF
10 vast domain. and hy Its import
ance and influence. be the means Of
opening the eyes. and understanding
Of the National Congress. to the fact.
that nesiecting the orening OF our
rivers and harbors to meet the COM
msrcial demands for cheap transpor-
tation. is q FIRST cousin to q National
crime.
There are three great inland water
ways projects before the people of the
United States:
First--The Lakes to the Gulf.
sscond--rhe Atlantic inland water
way,
rhird--rhe Gulf coast inland wa
terway.
When these three water ways are
completed. and welded together. there
WIN be continuous inland water
way through the Mississippi valley
along the Gulf and Atlantic seaboard.
There are several associations and
congresses IN the Southern States that
are advocating and working for in
land water ways. and the Gulf Coast
Inland Water Way Association, also
irtsly held very important meeting
at Columbus. Ca. are using their in
nuence and working for the compile
ton Of the Gulf coast and Florida
Ship Canal, which will connect the
mouths OF the rivers emptying into
the Gulf OF Mexico with each other,
and the Atlantic seaboard. opening to
inland navigation 10000 miles OF In
land water way. They found Inn
mense encouragement from the state
ment by Mr.. Hugh Garden Of New
York. that n the Gulf coast would get
behind this project. tho entire water
way from Boston to Brownsville.
Texas. would be connected and In op-
Grafton In five years. These projects
ere National blessing when COM
pIeted. and will be the means of a
freat saving in transportation charges
20 shippers. but while these different
associations In the different states
are working on their inland water
ways. the National Rivers and Har-
bors Congress are assembled on far
more Important work. A work, that
would give cheap transportation to
the producers OF our country. The
opening up Of our rivers to state Of
navigation. would save millions OF
dollars To the shippers. This most
important subject has been brought
60 the notice OF our National Congress
time and again. by the highest ap-
thority In political economy and en-
cheering. and II Is most unfortunate
that nothing has been done toward a
permanent adoption OF some financial
plan for opening our rivers and har-
bors to first class commercial useful
ness IT In the primary duty OF n
Government to foster the interest Of
tn people. and as far as possible pro-
tect them from monopolistic power.
with all the statistics and other data
that has been furnished to the Gov
crnment by men who are thoroughly
versed I'm matters pertaining to the
Improvement OF harbors. and opening
rivers to navigation. and the import
ance OF the work to the masses OF the
country. no permanent action has
been taken 10 start the work. and
slnish II to perfect state. and prac-
tically give to the people what they
are most entitled 70 from their Gov
crnment.
The best authority on this subject.
and especially the opening OF the riv-
ers and harbors In the Southern
States. In Mr.. Pinchot. This gentle
man has laid bare the facts. and cost.
OF opening the rivers In the South to
q state Of permanent navigation.
which are not only conclusive. In a
statistical way. but Is a thorough an
aiysis OF the work. giving the average
depth to be obtained to meet the de-
manIs OF ira nv IN. xvatar