The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-22

It seems to me that an increase in the amount of money now being annually expended in the improvement of the Ohio river which has been formally adopted by Congress would be in the interest of the public A similar change ought to be made during the present Congress, in the amount to be appro- priated for the Missouri river. The en- gineers say. that the cost of the im- provement of the Missouri river from Kansas City to St. Louis, in order Co secure six feet as permenent chan mel, will reach $2O, 900, GOO. There have been at least three recommendations from the chief of engineers that if the improvement be adopted, $2,000,000 should be expended upon it annually. This particular improvement is especi- ally entitled to the attention of Con gress, because company has been organized in Kansas City, with capital of $1 100000, which has built steamers and barges, and is actually using the river for transportation in order to show what can be done in the way of affecting rates between Kansas City and St Louis, and in order to manifest their good faith and confidence in re- speet of the improvement. I urgently recommend that the appropriation for this improvement be increased from 5000, ,000 as recommended now in the completion of contract, to $2,000,000 annually, so that the work may be done in 10 years.
 Lakes to Gulf Waterway
 The project for a navigable waterway from Lake Michigan to the mouth Of the Illinois river, and thence via the Ms sippi to the Gulf of Mexico, is one of national importance. Tn view of the wori< already accomplished by the sanitary dis f..ia ,.ff |. nf of Illinois. which has constructed the most difficult and costly stretch of this waterway and made it an asset of the na-
 tion, and in view of the fact that the people of Illinois have authorized the
 expenditure of $20 100000 to carry this waterway 62 miles farther to Utica, l feel
 that it is fitting that this work should be supplemented by the government, and that the expenditures recommended by
 the special board of engineers on the waterway from Utica to the mouth Of the Illinois river be made upon lines which while providing a waterway for the na- tion should otherwise benefit that state to the fullest extent. l recommend that the term of service of said special board of engineers be continued, and that IL Dc empowered to reopen the question or tht treatment of the lower Illinois river, aio 10 negotiate with a properly constituted
  | linois, and to agree upon a plan TOT lhe | improvement of the lower illinois rlVei | and upon the extent to which the uhlteo States may properly cooperate with the | state of Illinois in securing the construc' | tion of a navigable waterway from LOCK | port 10 the mouth of the Illinois rAVei ! in conjunction with the development o water power by that state between LOCK port and Utica.
 Department of Justice
 l The report of the Attorney Genera shows that he has subjected to cios' | examination the accounts of the clerks the federal courts; that he has found good many which disclose irregularities
 or dishonesty; but that he has had con siderable difficulty in securing an ellec l tive prosecution or removal of the clerk | thus derelict. I am certainly not undul. 1 prejudiced against the federal courts | but the fact is that the long and cohli dentiaI relations which grow out or m | tenure for life on the part Of the Juus | and the practical tenure for lie on eh | part of the clerk are not calculated U secure the strictness of dealing by tn judge with the clerk in respect to ni fees and accounts which assures in LII
 clerks conduct freedom rom over