The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1910-01-14

dertake We project and make provi-
sion therefore in the proper approprt-
alton bill.
One of the projects which answer
the description l have given us that
of introducing dams into the Ohio riv-
er from Pittsburg to Cairo, so as to
maintain at all seasons Of the year by
slack water a depth of nine feet. Up
ward of seven of these dams have al
ready been constructed and six are
under construction, while the total re-
quired is f1fty-four. The remaining
cost is known to be $63. 100000. 1t
seems to me that in the development
of our inland waterways it would be
wise to begin with this particular pro-
ject and carry it through as rapidly as
may be. 1 assume from reliable in
formation that 1t can be constructed
economically in ten years. I recon-
mend, therefore, that the present con-
gress, in the river and harbor bill,
make provision for continuing con-
tracts to complete this improvement.
and shall recommend in the future, If
1t be necessary, that bonds be issued
to carry 1t through.
What has been said Of the Ohio river
IS true in a less complete way of the
improvement of the upper Mississippi
from ST. Paul to st. Louis to a con-
slant depth Of six feet and of the Mis-
souri, from Kansas City to St. Louis
to a constant depth OF six feet. and
from st. Louis to Cairo OF depth of
eight feet. These projects have been
pronounced practical by competent
boards of army engineers. their cost
has been estimated. and there Is bus
iness which will follow the improve
ment.
Traffic Is Increasing.
As these improvements are being
made and the traffic encouraged by
them shows itself of sufficient import
ancs. the improvement of the Missis-
sipp beyond Cairo down to the gulf,
which is now going on with the main
tenance of z depth Of nine feet every.
where, may be changed to another and
greater depth If the necessity for It
shall appar to arise out Of the tradic
which can be delivered on the river at
Cairo.
am informed that the investigation
by the waterways commission in Eu-
rope shows that the existence OF q
waterway by no means assures tramc
unless there Is traffic adapted to water
carriage at cheap rates at one end or
the other of the stream. 1t also ap-
pears in Europe that the depth OF the
non-tidal streams is rarely more than
six feet and never more than ten. But
1t is certain that enormous quantities
of merchandise are transported over
the rivers and canals in Germany and
France and England, and it is also GER
tain that the existence OF such meth
DDS of traffic materially affects the
rates which the railroads charge, and
it is the best regulator of those rates
that We have, not even excepting the
governmental regulation through the
interstate commerce commission. For
this reason l hope that this congress
will take such steps that it may b.
called the Inauguration Of the new sys-
TEN of inland waterways.
For reasons which 1t Is not neces-
sary here to state, congress has seen
fit to order an investigation into the
interior department and the forest ser
vice OF the agricultural department.
The results OF that investigation are
not needed to determine the value Of
and the necessity for the new legisla-
ton which I have recommended in re-
spect to the public lands and in re-
spect to reclamation. earnestly urge
that the measures recommended be
taken up and disposed OF promptly
without awaiting the investigation
which has been determined upon.
WILLIAM H. TAFE