Arizona republican., 1910-01-15


 strated in other countries. and -we
 should work toward the standard sci by them as far as their methods are applicable to our conditions.
 Upwards of 400,000.00O acres of for est land in this country are in priv
 ate ownership. but only 3 per cent of
 it is being treated scientifically. and
 with view to the maintenance of for
 ests. The part played by forests in the equalization of the supply of water on watersheds Is a matter of discussion
 and dispute. but the general benefit
 to be derived by the public from the extension of forest lands on water sheds and the promotion of the growth of trees in places that are now denud-
 ed. and that once had great flourish
 ing forests. goes without saying. The
 control to be exercised over private
 owners in their treatment of forests
 which they own. is a matter for state
 and not national regulation. because
 there is nothing in the constitution
 that authorizes the federal government
 to exercise any control over forests within a state, unless the forests are owned in a proprietary way by the
 federal government.
 INLAND WATERWAYS.
 come now to the improvement of inland waterways. He would be blind. indeed. who did not realize that the people of the entire west and espe- cially those of the Mississippi valley have been aroused to the need for the improvement of our inland waterways. The Mississippi river. with the Mis- souri on the one hand and the Ohio on the other. would seem to offer a great natural means of interstate transportation and traffic. How far if properly improved. they would re- lieve the railroads or supplement them in respect to the bulkier and cheaper commodities is a matter of conjec- ture. No enterprise ought to be un- dertaken. the cost of which is not and advantage of which are not known and assured by competent en- gineers and other authority.
 When, however, a project of definite character for improvement of a water way has been developed so that plans have been drawn. cost definitely esti- mated and traffic. which will be ac- commodated. is reasonably probable. think it is the duty of congress to un- dertake the project and make provi- sion therefore in the proper appropri- ation bill
 One project. which answers the de- scription l have given. is that of intro ducing dams into the Ohio river from Pittsburg to Cairo. so as to maintain at all seasons of the year. by slack water. a depth of nine feet. Upward Of seven of these dams have already been constructed and six are under construction. while the total required is fifty. The remaining cost is known to be s63.OO0.0O
 It seems to me that in the develop ment of our inland waterways it would be wise to begin with this par tcular project and carry it through as rapidly as may be possible. I assume from reliable information that it can be constructed economically in ten years. recommend. therefore. that the present congress. in the river and harbor bill, make provision for con- tinuing contracts to complete this inn provement and I shall recommend in the future. if 1t be necessary. that bonds be issued to carry it through.
 What has been said of the Ohio river is true in a less complete way of the improvement of the upper Mis- sissippi from St Paul to St. Louis. to a constant depth of six feet. and from St. Louis to Cairo of a depth of eight feet. These projects have been pro- practical by competent boards of army engineers, their cost has been estimated and there Is business which will follow the improvement
 As these improvements are being made and traffic is encouraged by them. and shows itself of sufficient importance. the improvement of the beyond Cairo down to the gulf, which is now figuring on a depth )f nine feet everywhere. may be to another and greater depth fl the necessity for it shall appear to 'rise out of the traffic which can be delivered on the river at Cairo.
 I am informed that the investiga- ion by the waterways commission in Europe shows that the existence of q by no means assures traffic lnless there is traffic adapted to wa er carriage at cheap rates at one end l IT the other of the stream.
 It also appears in Europe that the | iepth of the streams is rarely more | han six feet. and never more than nine. But it is certain that enormous | quantities of merchandise are trans | ported over rivers and canals in Ger | many and France. and England. and it | s also certain that the existence of | 'uch methods of traffic materially af- ccts the rates which railroads charge | md it is the best regulator of those | 'ates that we have. not excepting gov regulation through the in- | erstate commerce commission. For | his reason, I hope this congress will | ake silcl, sts.... +h..t it l. l