The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1910-01-26
Points Out Policies to Be Pur-
sued Which Will Give Shippers
Water Rates and Advantage
Over Railroad Monopoly.

Over Railroad Monopoly.
WASHINGTON, d. c., Jan. 24.--Al
most every section of the country will
find subjects of local as well as gen.
eral interest in the preliminary report
of the national waterways commits
sion, submitted to congress today.
This preliminary report recon-
mends a general plan of conservation
of water power, with the shaping of
projects in the light of future needs
of streams; resort to 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 competition; a uniform sys-
tenn of distribution of cost of water
way Improvement generally by state
and national governments; avoidance
of multiplication of ports; restriction
of dam construction permits: inaug
uration of such water projects only as
can be completed within a reasonable
time; federal tax on power fur
nished to consumers; reservation by
the government of the right to alter
or repeal power grants.
Cannot Collect Tolls.
The commission holds that the fed
eral government has no proprietary
right or interest in navigable waters
which would authorize the collection
of tolls. 1t believes that each content
to construct a dam should provide
that the grantee, whenever necessary
to subserve navigation interests, must
construct and furnish power for a
lock suited to the locality and to
probable traffic development.
Power developed at government
dams for navigation or irrigation pur-
poses should be utilized and adequate
~ charged for.
Survey Dam Sites.
The commission recommends that
before the granting Of rights to con-
struct dam in any navigable stream,
the whole stream, or at least such
part as would be affected by the pro-
posed construction, should be sur
veyed; that, If constitutional authority
therefor exists, the grants should au-
thorize the secretary of war or other
officials to regulate the charge for the
power furnished consumers and
should expressly reserve to congress
the right to alter, amend or appeal.
While not denying the tendency of
river Improvements to lower railroad
rates, the commission lords it unde-
sirable to expend money upon river
channels solely for this effect on
rates. The fundamental criterion, ii
~y1 4
= waterway, when constructed or i'm
proved, will be profitable invest
ment.
Conflict wiz Railroads.
Pointing OUT that railways have
temporarily rehuced rates and con-
: tinu2 bakhsm.5upon a lower basis until
cor etfng water lines have been
driven out Of business, the commits
sion recommends that, when a rate Is
once reduced by railroad, after
hearing by the interstate commerce
coznmtssion or other competent body,
1t mould be und that such proposed
increase rests upon changed condi-
lions other than the elimination or
decrease Of water competition.
Must Be Eliminated.
the rehabilitation of water traffic is
asserted to be the establishment of
harmonious relations between rail-
ways and water lines. In practically
every case of water routes, the boats
are operated, the report says, in con-
nection and in harmony with railway
lines. The commission transportation
facilities will be further promoted by
compelling joint rates and prorating
agreements, through bills of lading
and physical connection between rail
and water terminals.
The commission cannot see its way
clear to recommend to commission
with power to fix minimum but a ma
jority Of the commission would en-
power the interstate commerce COM
mission with power ~ NIX minimum
rates whenever the object in reducing
rates is to decrease water competition.
Past Experience.
Referring to criticism on the delay
of congress in developing waterways,
the commission points to the fact that
the use of channels in many instances
has not been commensurate with the
expense incurred and points to lack
of progressiveness in providing suit
able freight carrying facilities and to
failure to provide modern terminal
equipments. No federal improve
ment will suffice, the commission in
sists, without cooperation of com
munities and business interests
New Board Not Favored.
The commission is unwilling to rec
ommend such change as the crea-
ton of q board to decide upon the
feasibility of propositions for expen-
diture on rivers and harbors, and
pays high tribute to the work of the
army engineer corps. 1t advises that
without careful and unbiased exam
nation of proposed improvements of
the nature now required by state, no
project should be adopted by con-
gress," and recommends, that here
after the general poiicysbe adopted of
providing for the early completion of
any and all projects Undertaken, and
that only such numbvH Of projects
should be commenced 5 would be
appropriated for and completed with
ia a reasonable time"
definite Police Wanted.
In this way, it says, definite results
can be relied upon, plans can be made
for utilizing streams improved and
expense largely reduced. Careful pro-
vision should also be made for main
tanning existing works, otherwise i'm
provemsnts already made will deteri-
crate.
In the general policy of improving
streams in waterway systems, the
commission advises that the main