Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-01-24
National, State and City Govern.
ments to Cooperate.
UNDER ARMY ENGINEER CORPS
Legislation to Prevent Monopoly Of
Railway Rights Considered.

/
lowed by the federal government in de-
veloping the inland waterways of the
country, the report of the United States
In Congress today
! Cooperation between the federal gov
eminent and the minor political divisions
| in financing improvements is one Of the
most notable recommendations of the re-
port, and there is rebuke for munich
palities and private individuals for their
failure to take advantage Of improved
channels and for the policy of some to
make exorbitant charges for mooring and
wharfing privileges on waterways i'm
proved at great cost to the federal gov
eminent.
Summary of Accommodations.
Its important recommendations, in gen.
eral, are:
Improvements should be undertaken
only after careful examinations by I'M
biased experts.
improvements should be carried on I'M
der the general direction Of the Engineer
Corps of the army.
Projects once undertaken should be
| quickly finished.
Uniform rules for division of the cost
of improvements between the federal
government and minor political divisions
should be fixed.
A progressive policy Of harbor improve
ment should be continued
Improvements not essential to naviga-
tion such as food prevention and bank
protection, should not be undertaken by
the federal government.
Legislation giving government officials
authority regulate rates
railroad lines competing with water routes
is desirable.
Legislation to prevent monopoly of
water power and to provide for its utiliza-
ton for the benefit of the public is
needed.
The report also indicates that the COM
mission regards the improvement OF nat
ural waterways as preferable over the
canals for ocean-going vessels are prac-
ticable only under exceptional conditions.
Specific Projects Considered.
Regarding the. policy to be followed by
the government as to the adoption and
carrying out of specific projects. the COM
mission recommends:
1.-THE commission would advise that
without a careful and unbiased examina-
ton of proposed improvements of the
nature now required by statute no prof.
ect should be adopted by Congress.
Numerous propositions have been made
for the creation of board of public
works or other body, which shall decide
upon the feasibility and desirability of
propositions for expenditures on rivers
and harbors. The commission is unWill-
ing to recommend a change of this kind
and points to the fact that the past
recommendations Of the Engineer Corps
have been carefully prepared and with
degree Of expert knowledge and compre
If he al nf he
country which could not we'll be supplied
by any other body or organization.
1.-THE commission would recommend
that hereafter the general policy be
adopted Of providing for the early COM
pletion of any and all projects which
are undertaken. and that only such num-
Der Of projects should be commenced as
will be appropriated for and completed
within a reasonable time In this way
definite results can be relied upon. plans
can be made for the utilization of the
streams improved and. in addition,
very large saving in expense may be Sc
cured. II this is done projects will be
more carefully considered before they are
adopted
Maintenance of Existing Works.
Careful provision should also be made
for the maintenance of existing works,
otherwise the improvements already made
will deteriorate. In the general policy
Of improving streams in waterway sys-
TENS 1t Is advised that the main stream
be improved first and raised to an ade-
quate. stage of efficiency at an earlier
date than the tributary streams; that
In the Improvement of any particular
river preference should be given to the
lower portion. and that the Improvement
should proceed from the mouth up, unless
the regimen Of the river makes different
rule desirable. or an independent stretch
OF the river exists remote from the mouth
upon which salutary results can be more
readily obtained"
The commission making the report is
composed of Senator Burton of Ohio
chairman; Senator Gallinger of New
Hampshire, vice chairman; Senators Piles
of Washington. Smith Of Michigan, Sim
mons of North Carolina, Clarke of .Arkan-
sas and Lorimer of Illinois. and Repre-
sentatives Alexander of New York, Stew
ems OF Minnesota, Wanger OF Pennsylya-
mia. Sparkman of Florida and Moon of
Tennessee.
Under Separate Heads.