Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-09-22
DAYS OF "PIECEMEAL"
APPROPRIATION PASSED
In Address Before Ohio People on the
Occasion of Opening of Ohio River
Dam the Chief Executive Points Out
Hindrance to Progress and Given
Remedy Of Proper Legislation.
(By Associated Press)

tINClNNAI1, OhlO, sept. Zl--DS-
nouncing the congressional pork
barrel" President Taft today lhgeI
"a reconstruction of the method Of
dealing with waterway improvements
in the United States.
He asserted that the piecemeal poll
cy of appropriating government,
funds for rivers and harbOrs was not
il defensible from a business view
point, but also gave rise to "a species
of legislative advice that is very near
corruption in its effect"
The President spoke before the
Ohio Valley Improvement Association
sition here to consider the compile
ton of a new government dam at
Fernand. Ohio, a few miles below
Cincinnati This project was design
ed to conserve navigable stage OF
the Ohio river during the dry months
OF each year.
The President said in part:
my Friends and Fellow-citizens:-
Since | left this, my old home
more than ten years ago, have been
able to revisit it only a few times.
and then for not more than a day or
two at time. / welcome this oppoS-
tunity to meet old friends and 10 re-
new old associations. for here after
my official duties are discharged a,
Washington, l expect TO return and
to spend the rest Of my life.
You are having an exposition ano
are acting as host to those who from
the neighboring counties and states
contribute to your business life. and
tc those who are attraced here by the
opportunities for artistic and socia,
enjoyment that an old. solid. but pub
lic-spirited and advanced community
can offer
Ohio River improvement.
To-day. you are celebrating the
opening of anoSher great improvement,
which must in the future have mucs,
to do with the business growth of the
city. / mean the improvement of the
Ohio river from Pittsburg 10 Cairo.
II is to this improvement that | shall
direct my remarks this afternoon.
In a most instructive report the
United States Waterways Commits
sion. headed by our own Senator Bur
tor,- have pointed out the difficulties
thai are inherent in river transpor:a-
ton in this country. and have shown
with great ciearness the advantages
that railroad transportation has over
river transportation for constant bus
mess use. The chief difficulty is the
cost of terminal or transfer charges
wherever the destination Of the
freight requires the use of both river
and railroad. In their Investigations
abroad. the commission found that y
great deal of money and time had
been spent in perfecting the ternli
nails for river transportation and they
deplore the entire absence of such
terminals on many Of the navigabie
rivers of this country.
Hindrsnce TO Water TRADE.
One OF the great reasons for the
decrease of river transportation has
been the competition OF railways
whose physical advantages have al
ready been referred to. More than
ihese, traffic managers os railways
have lowered their own tfafic rates
where there is water competition IN
til the river business has been entire
ly discouraged. and then ra.sed ,he
rates when the river business has
been thus suppressed. Provision has
been made in the railway act passed
at the last session OF congress which
will proven; railways from adopting
this device Of destroying river CON-
petition. The truth is. that with the
new development Of river business
Il viii be possible to give power to
our Interstate Commerce Commission
10 make regulations Tor the join; traf-
&c between rivers and railways that
will greatly encourage the con;in-
uance Of the river business. for II We
would use cur WATERWAYS IN the most
economical manner. there must be
friendly cooperation. as the water.
ways commission points ont. between
those engaged IN transportation on
the water and those BY rail The con
current and joint operation Of rail
WAYS and river carriage il much bef-
ter regulated abroad than u Is here.
and We have a great deal 70 learn IN
his regard which. when stud ed ont
can b. embodied IN positive statute.
As these waterway improvements
fCoo<fnurd n rrrrfh par~s