The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1910-09-23
BETTER INLAND RIVERS;
THAT ISTHE PLAN NOW
WATERWAYS NEED IMPROVING;
THEIR CHAMPION.
Campaign of Education Which the
Harlons Congress Has Been Pros
ecuting, Is Bearing Fruit; Unity
of Action Will Bring Success;
Value to Manufacturers OF Coun-
ty; Conference Soon to Be Held.
Especial to The Free Press.1


Washington, d. {. September I'll
For ten years the national Rivers and
Harbors congress has championed the
cause of yearly appropriation bill
for the improvement of the water
ways OF the United States. In sea-
son and out of this great Organiza-
ton has advocated a broad and COM
prehensiye policy on the part OF the
federal government toward the rivers.
harbors and canals of the country
and the abandonment of the sporadic
appropriations for specific projects
without regard to the character or
value of the streams to be improved.
Campaign of Education.
The campaign of education which
the national Rivers and Harbors con-
gress began decade ago has borne
fruit, as is evidenced in the last river
and harbor bill, the committees of
congress having the preparation of a
river and harbor budget in charge UNI
reservedly pronouncing in favor of
yearly appropriations. But there is
still further work to do and at the
coming meeting of the congress which
will be held in the city of Washing
ton, December, Z 8, 9, it is expected
that. the organization, which embraces
representation from every waterway
association besides hundreds OF trade
bodies will further endorse the ma
tional idea of waterway improvement.
Policy Of Inland Waterway Betterment.
The policy of inland waterway bet
te1nent is now in the stage when
unity of action will bring success.
There is 10 longer any question of
The immense value which improved
waterways will have upon the trade
and commeree of the United States.
That value is appreciated by both
shipper and consumer Oh the Pacific
coast NO less than on the Atlantic.
New England. with her vast manu-
featuring interests, has begun to rea-
lizc what it means TO have her rivers
improved and her harbors deepened
aud likewise the south whose output
of cotton, rice and sugar is being sup
plemcnted by the wonderful industrial
development of that section. The belt
OF manufacturing and mining states
extending from Pennsylvania, crossing
the mountains and stretching through
to the Mississippi, appreciates the
valuc-and across the Mississippi in
the golden west, rich in opportunity,
also approaching the Importance of Il
broad and comprehensive policy of
waterway development.
Intelligent Treatment.
The question of an intelligent treat
mcnt Of our rivers, harbors and canals
is neither local nor sectional 1t has
become a national question and the
coming convention of the National
Rivers and llarbors congress, it is ex-
pected will emphasize its Importance
by hearty approval of President Taft's
position that only mertorious projects
receive recognition by congress and
that appropriations be kept within
reasonable limits to the end that a
yearly river and harbor bill may be-
come the fixed policy of the govern
ment.
In view OF the interest already dis
played, it is beloved, that the seventh
annual convention of the National
Rivers and iarbOrs congress will be
the largest in point of numbers ever
held at the national capital