Los Angeles herald., 1910-01-25
SUBMIT REPORT
ON WATERWAYS
CONSERVATION OF POWER IS
RECOMMENDED
HARMONY URGED BETWEEN THE
LAND AND SEA CARRIERS
National Commission Files Findings
with Congress Concerning De-
VeIopment and Regulation of
Rivers and Canals
Associated Pressl

WASHINGTON, Jan. 24.-Almost
every section of the country will find
subjects of local as well as general
interest in the preliminary report of
the national waterways commission,
submitted to congress today.
This preliminary report recommends
a general plan of conservation of
water power, with the shaping of
projects in the light of future needs
of streams; resort 10 federal and state
legislation rather than to unnecessary
channel Improvement merely to force
reduction of railroad freight rates.
with inhibition, on the other hand, of
manipulation of such rates to freeze
out water competitions uniform sys-
TEN Of distribution Of cost of water
way Improvement between federal,
state and local governments; avoid
ance of multiplication of reports; re-
striction of dom construction permits;
Inauguration of such waterway pro
jects only as can be completed within
a. reasonable time; a federal tax on
power furnished to consumers; reser-
walton by the government of the right
TO alter or repeal power grants.
Cannot Take Tolls
The commission holds the govern
terest in navigable waters which would
authorize the collection of tolls. 1t
believes that each consent to construct
a dam should provide that the grantee,
whenever necessary to subserve naV1-
cation interests, must construct ana
furnish power for a lock suited to the
locality and to probable traffic deVel-
opment
Power developed at government dams
for navigation or irrigation purposes
should be utilized and adequately
charged for.
While not denying the tendency Of
river improvements to lower rates on
railroads, the commission holds it I'M
desirable to eXpend money upon river
channels solely for this effect on rates.
The fundamental criterion, it says,
should be whether a railroad or a
waterway, when constructed or I'M
proved, will be a profitable invest
ment.
Roads Reduce Rates
Pointing out that railroads have
temporarily reduced rates and con-
tinued them upon a lower basis until
competing water lines have been driv-
en- out of business, the commission
recommends that when rate is once
reduced by a railroad, the rate should
not be permitted to be raised again,
unless dIC6E nearing SDy Tic IlISl SIeiIO
commerce commission, or other COM
petent body it should be found that
such proposed increase rests upon
changed conditions other than the elm
ination or decrease of water compe-
tition.
The most essential requirement for
the rehabilitation of water traffic is
asserted to be the establishment of
harmonious relations between railroads
and water lines. In practically every
case of water routes the boats are
operated, the report says, in connec-
ton and in harmony with railroad
lines.
The commission believes transpor-
tation facilities will be further pro-
NOTED by compelling different rates
and pro-rating agreements, through
bills of lading and physical protection
between rail and water terminals
The commission cannot see it's way
clear to recommend a general power to
fix minimum rates, but a majority of
the commission would recommend en-
towering the interstate commerce COM
mission to prescribe minimum rates
whenever the object of a railroad in
reducing rates is to decrease waterway
competition.
Summarizing conditions abroad, the
commission says that the average Eu-
ropean freight rates on railroads par
alleling water routes, especially for
short distances, are higher than in the
United States, the European rates for
water-borne carriage are as high, or
higher, than on railroads in the United
States, where the traffic is larger.