Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1910-01-28
WATERWAYS REfORT FULL
Every Section of Country
Covered in Document
OUR WATER power Conservation
Advises No Work That Cannot Be
Shown Profitable. Harmony Be-
tween Boat Lines and Rail.
roads Not a Rate War,

Washington.-Almost every Sec
tion OF the country will find subjects
or local as well as general interest
In the preliminary report of the
National Waterways Commission,
submitted to congress this week. The
report is based upon a comprehen-
sive investigation in this country and
abroad and will be followed by
subsequent report with further re-
Communications. This preliminary re
port recommends, among other
things. 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 unnecess-
ary channel improvement merely to
enforce reduction of railroad freight
rates, with inhibition on the other
hand Of manipulation of such rates
to freeze out water competition, a
uniform system of distribution Of
cost Of waterway improvement be-
tween federal, state and local govern
ment avoidance of multiplication of
ports; restriction of dam construc-
tion permits; Inauguration of such
water projects only as can be COM
pleted within a reasonable time; a
federal tax on power furnished to
consumers; reservation by the gov
ernment of power to alter or repeal
rights.
While not denying the tendency Of
river improvements to lower rail-
road rates, the commission holds it
undsrsirable to expend money upon
river channels solely for the effect
upon such rates. The fundamental
criterion, 1t says, should be whether
q railway or waterway, when con.
structed or improved, will be a pro-
itable investment. Pointing out
that the railways have temporarily
reduced rates and continued them
upon a lower basis until competing
water lines have been driven out
Of business. the commission recon-
mends that when rate Is once thus
reduced by a railroad it should not
be permitted to raise it again unless,
after hearing by the interstate COM
merce commission or other compet-
ent body, It should be found that
such proposed increase rests upon
changed conditions other than the
elimination of decrease Of water
competition.
The most essential requirement
for the rehabilitation of water traff-
ic Is asserted to be the establishment
Of harmonious relations between
railway and water lines. In practi-
cally every case Of water routes, the
boats are operated, the report says,
in connection, and in harmony with
railway lines. The commission be-
lieves transportation facilities will
be still further promoted by COM
peting joint rates and pro-rating
agreements, through bills of lading
and physical connection between rail
and water agencies, separate ware
house and terminal systems of rail-
roads and waterways being often
waste of capital. Terminal and whar-
fage charges should be reasonable
regardless Of the ownership of these
facilities. ..-.....
| The commission cannot see its way
clear to recommend general power
to hx minimum rates, but a majority
| of the commission would recommend
empowering the interstate commerce
commission to. prescribe minimum
railroad rates whenever in its opin-
ion the object Of railroad In reduc.
ing rates it to decrease waterway
| competition.