The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1910-01-19

they would relieve the railroads or sup.
plement them in respect to the bulkier
and cheaper commodities is q matter OF
conjecture. No enterprise ought to b
undertaken the cost of which is not def.
initely ascertained and the benefit and
advantage OF which are not known ana
assured by competent engineers and other
authority. When, however. q project OF
a definite character for the Improvement
Of waterway has been developed %
that the plans have been drawn. the cost
definitely estimated. and the trafhc
which will be accommodated is reason.
ably probable I think 1t is the duty OF
congress to undertake the project and
make provision therefor in the proper ap-
preparation bill.
One Of the projects which answers the
description l have given is that Of intro
ducins dams into the Ohio river from
Pirtsburg 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 beer con-
structed and six are under construction,
while the total required is 50. The re-
manning cost is known to be 100000.
IL seems to ME that in the development
of our inland waterways 1t would II
wise to begin with this particular proje6
and carry 1t through as rapidly as may
be. ! assume from reliable informatiol
tnat can DC constructed economically
in ten years. ] recommend. therefore
that the public lands. in river and hars
hor bills. make provision for continuing
contracts to complete this improvement.
and l shall recommend in the future. IL
il he necessary. that bonds be issued to
carry it through.
What has been said OF the Ohio river
is true in less complete way of the inn
provement of the upper Mississippi from
nj n a constant
of six feet. and of the Missouri, from
Kansas City to st. Louis to a constant
depth of six feet and from st. Louis 10
Cairo of depth of eight feet. These
projects have been pronounced practical
by competent boards of army engineers.
their cost has been estimated and there
is business which will follow the i'm
prOVH:neut.
AS these improvements are being made.
and the traffic encouraged by them shows
Itself of sufficient Importance. the i'm
provc,nent of the Mississippi beyond
Cairo down to the gulf. which is now
going on with the maintenance of a depth
OF nine feet everywhere. may be changed
to another and greater depth il the neces-
sity for it shall appear to arise out of the
traffic which can be delivered on the river
at Cairo.
Cheap Rail Rate Necessary.
am informed that the investigation
by the waterways commission in Europe
shows that the existence Of waterway
by no means assures traffic unless there
is traffic adapted to water carriage at
cheap rates at one end or the other Of
the stream. 1t also appears in Europe
that the depth of the streams Is rarely
more than six feet. and never more than
nine. But 1t is certain that enormous
quantities Of merchandise are transported
over the rivers and canals in Germany
and France and England. and it is also
certain that the existence Of such meth
DDS of traffic materially affects the rates
which the railroads charge and 1t is the
best regulator OF those rates that We
have. not even excepting the govern
mental regulation through the interstate
commerce commission. For this reason.
I hope that this congress will take such
steps that it may be called the inaugu-
rator of the new system of inland water
ways. For reasons which it is not nee
essary here to state. congress has seen
fit TO order an investigation into the in
terror department and the forest service
of the agricultural department. The re-
suits of that investigation are not needed
to determine the value of. and the ne
cessitv for. the new legislation which
have recommended in respect to the pub
lie lands and in respect to reclamation. I
earnestly urge that the measures be TAX
en- up and disposed OF promptly without
awaiting the investigation which has been
determined upon.
WILLIAM II. TAFT.