The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1910-01-31
FOR RIVER AND
HARBOR WORK
Canvass Of Senate Shows 1t Is
Willing to Pass Conserva-
tive Measure.
AMOUNT YET PROBLEMATICAL
Bill May Provide Only for Completion
Of Work Started and Set Dates
When These Projects Shall
Be Finished.

Washington, d. c., jan 31.-Not-
witbstandlng the belief prevalent In
the minds of certain Senators that a
river and harbor bill will not be pass
ed during the present session of Con-
gress. a canvass Of the upper branch
shows a decided disposition to pass
a conservative waterways BILL should
such a measure reach the Senate i'm
time for its proper consideration.
Senator Boies Penrose of Pennsyl-
yania. voiced the anti waterway SEN
timent today in explaining the origin
of the rumors regarding a river and
harbor bill.
1T Is the opinion of such leaders as
Senators Hale and Aldrich that il
would be folly to pass a river and
harbor bill carrying $35,00O,00 or
$l0,OOO00O in view OF the present con-
ditlon of the treasury. The matter
has had consideration by the recently
created Committee on Public Expen-
ditures of which Senator Hale is act
ing chairman and while no definite. ac-
tion was taken the situation was pretty
thoroughly gone over. An opinion
exists that If we provide for projects
now building under continuing con-
tract provisions it will be about all the
present Congress can reasonably be
expected to do, Should we do but this
the Sundry Civil bill will carry i'm the
neighhorhood OF $15,OO0.O0O for con-
tinuing the work of river and harbor
Improvement.
"Of course" continued the Senator
conditions may change as to the
treasury deficit in which event a river
and harbor bill would i'm all probabll-
ity be given respectful consideration"
Several other senator's who, for per-
sonal reasons, object to the use of their
names spoke i'm much the same vein
as the senator from Philadelphia.
Senator Frye of Maine, Chairman of
the Commerce Committee, and an un-
compromising friend of waterway i'm
provements, takes a Numerically op-
positc view of the situation.
The only way a river and harbor
bill can be defeated" said Senator
Frye lis to have IL reported so late
IN the session that il might be talked
to death. 1t certainly cannot be de-
ieated by votes l have not heard the
rumors about n disposition on the
part of some senator's to postpone
Ia AT ion Of -.
DILL but in view of the Presidents rec
concentrations i'm his special message
TO Congress | cannot believe there is
any foundation for the rumors."
Senator Lorimer of Illinois. "A mem
Der of the United States Waterways
commission and when member of
the House, held a ranking place on the
RVers and Harbors Committee. ex-
pressed the opinion that If a business
IKE bill for river and harbor improve
mcnts passes the House, as every in
olcation points that il will, its con-
slderation by the Senate c. d not be
postponed, for the CONNER Il inter-
eS's OF the country would demand it's
passage and make that demand felt
Senators may have ideas as to the
amount the bill should carry. and in
What manner the appropriations should
De made for river and harbor work but
'ney cannot fail to recognize the al
most universal demand for a River
ana iiarbor bill that will be compre-
hensiye in character"
some criticism Is heard of the fea-
lures OF the bill now receiving its final
"uches In the House Committee on
N'yers and Harbors. particularly with
,,'crehce to fixing time limit for
,ne completion of certain projects.
nnu yet If this policy be not adopted
'"e old handicap will continue to
.Nst and delays incidental To un-
"uslless-like treatment of waterway
""lloVements will operate to that
p'Iucular projects disadvantage.
'inohg the notable examples of how
Wv Ola policy of piece meal appropria-
uons worked. is the Ohio river pro-
~" IN thirty-three years but one
'" "i the project is completed and
'nese Old fogy methods are TO
'''lue It's completion will be ac-
".phshed in about 2010. The COM
'''' now engaged i'm the preparation
O. 'iVer and harbor bill proposes to
ufne when the Ohio river shall
.ohpleted, say In twelve years and
'N'ns ons To that eEd will appropriate
Desh money for the first years
Ga' rhat would seem to be getting
uuWn 20 businoss