The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-10-19
SHOULD IMPROVE
The MISSOURI

Washington, d. c., oct. 1s.-"The
obligation on the national government
70 the waterways OF the United States
is national rather than a state or
syndicate proposition" was the terse
way in which Cong. L. c. Dyer OF st.
Louis characterized the widespread
movement for improving the water
courses of the country.
the control Of the navigable water
ways OF this country was vested in
Lne FEDERAL government in 1890. From
1lSo TO 1910 the improvements to the
rivers and harbors were made by the
states with the consent of congress
From 1910 to 1852 these improvements
were provided for by congress with
the stipulation that the work should
De done under the direction Of the
president. BY act OF congress APP
proved In 1852 II was distinctly speci-
ned that the money appropriated for
waterway betterments should be ex-
pended under the supervision OF the
secretary Of war and since that time
all acts relating to the expenditure OF
money on our rivers and harbors have
contained that provision. And so 1t
came about that the engineer corps
OF the army was charged with the
work of improving our great natural
highways,
To those who live on navigable riv-
ers the Importance OF some definite
and concrete plan for bringing these
rivers into the highest possible state
OF efficiency is paramount. But to
those who live In the interior Of the
country, back from the waters. the
needs of improved waterways are
somewhat hazy, and yet I feel sure
that there has been a general awaken
ing throughout the country to the
manifold benefits that would accrue
II all our navigable rivers were made
to bear their due proportion OF trans
portation and thereby assist material
ly in the solution of freight rates. The
urgent need for improved waterways
is obvious. To understand this thor
oughly we must consider that the in
creased carrying power on land and
sea has been more than met by the in
crease Of the commodities 10 be
moved. The freight carried on the
ocean today Is thirty times greater
than that of century ago. while our
entire system Of railroad transporta-
ton has been erected within the MEM
ory of now living. BY reason Of i'm
proved transportation facilities freight
rates have been greatly reduced, and
yet further reductions are needed in
many classes which probably will be
only brought about by a systematic
development, OF the waterways.
Coming as l do, from the great
Mississippi valley, am convinced that
1t Is only through a broad, intelligent
and comprehensive plan OF develop
ment Of the Mississippi the Missouri
and the Ohio rivers and their tribu-
taries can we OF the middle west ever
attain to the measure of usefulness
desired. stand with the National
Rivers and Harbors congress in its eff
fort to eliminate the pork barrel from
river and harbor legislation and for
one, would like to see the great
economic question OF TRANSPORTATION
lifted completely out OF politics and
put on a plane where sanity and hon
esty will prevail in its solution. AS a
world power we have a right to enjoy
the worlds markets and every handi-
cap as represented by our unimproved
rivers be eliminated so that improved
economic conditions may become an
actually rather than the dream OF
students Of political economy