Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1910-02-03
REPORT MADE ON
WATERWAYS PLAN
National Commission Suggests Many
tmproNeneats-Shou Regulate
Railroad Rates in Some eases.

WASHINGTON. ID. C.-SDecia,.-
senator Burton. OF Ohio. chairman
OF the National WATERWAYS ComnfS-
SION, created By act OF Congress 'ast
March. has made n preliminary re
port OF the commissions work 10 the
senate The duty imposed upon the
commission was 20 investigate cues-
tons pertaining 70 water transpOrta-
lion and the Improvement OF water
"ays and make recommendations ac-
coroingly- In carrying out its under
standing seven OF the twelve mem
tcrs visited Europe and studied the
problem there. An examination OF
the Mississippi from ST Paul 90 New
orleans. and also OF the Missouri nna
Illinois Rivers was made.
Consider Variety OF subjects.
In reaching It's conclusions the COM
mission considered a variety OF topics
separately. These include the reason
Tor the decline in inland waterus 4.
transportation, together with rcnic-
dies therefor. and the relation between
waterway and railroad transr
tne ACCESSIBILITY and practicaJility oil
canals for the deeper draft vessels
steps % be taken before the adoption
OF projects for Improvement and the
method OF making appropriation Tor
them. the proper division betweel ap-
preparations by the Federal Govern
mcnt and the States. the relation Cf
waterways Improvements 20 bank pro-
lection; Hood and drought proven
ton, irrigation and drsinag-: the most
desirable policy relating 10 hnrbors.
including ownership ~ wharlcs and
COCKS. me relation OF WATERWAYS un-
prov euents TO water power. The
method of Improving rivers. inclpdiu-
the construction OF locks aad CraNs
and comparison of EurCpean wa
crw1ys with those Of the Unitcd
states. including en- Investigation OF
..'H f.-rs H'tl .4 lalu and Iy nt,Dr.
be- rcpurl shows "a remarkable de-
crease ir trlH- nr inland n.lt.rwlr-
r.U- tne past twenty years
on the Erie Canal the loss was arts
per cent i2 actual traffic and a drop
rom eighteen Co three per cent OF tho
iaufe amount as compared 20 raH-
cad tratac- ON the Mississippi River
ss stem the falling OK amounted 20
t1irty -one per cent since 1889.
Lakes Traffic Increases.
ON the other hand the traffic on
fae Great lakes has Increased enor-
~nus'v- The comm ssion cannot see
way clear 20 recommend general
lower 60 tx minimum rates Tor trans
rnrtatior.
Aside from a difference OF opinion
upon this matter the recommendation
rt the commission are Unanimous A
o. -ommendaton - made that partici-
f..on IN lru proNtmerts Doe cuCOura geo
local communities and that tho
-..efal Government should not un-
tertake projects not essential 90 nay-
t- uon. nor where there is not assur-
aure that proper wharvcs AVID r-r-
m.nals VIII bee furnished hv munici-
pal Ties or private enterprises Ilc
commission does not recommend Gov
eminent construction OF wha-scs and
docks.
The commission does not consider
that The subject OF water power is
Isl associated with navigation. The
opinion is expressed. however. that in
issuing grants OF water power tn
Secretary or War should have the
right 20 regulate charges for use OF
power furnished consumers. and that
congress should have the right TO cl-
Ter. amend or repeal every water
within It's Jurisdiction. except as it
power grant