The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1912-12-09


terests seeking permits to build water
power dams 10 Hayigable streams
usually urge that they thus improve
navigation, and that II they do net
Impair navigation they should be Al.
lowed to take for themselves the en-
tire profits Of the waterpoWer de-
veloDmens Whatever they may do
BY way OF relieving the government
Of the expense OF improving naviga-
ton should be given due consldera-
zion. but II must be apparent that
there may be profit beyond q rea-
sonably liberal return upon the pri-
yate investment which ia potential
asset of the government in carrying
out a comprehensive policy Of water
way development. 1t is no objection
TO the retention and use Of such an
asset BY the government that com
preRensiye waterway policy will in
clude the protection and development
of the other public uses OF water
which cannot and should not be ig.
hored In making and executing plans
for the protection and development OF
navigation II Is also equally clear
That inasmuch as the water power
thus created Is or may be an incident
Of general scheme OF waterway i'm.
provement within the constitutional
Jurisdiction Of the federal govern
ment the regulation OF such water
power lies also within that jurisdic
tion. In my opinion constructive
craftsmanship requires that legisla-
tion should be enacted which will per.
NIT the Development Of navigation in
these great rivers to 80 hand in hand
with the utilization OF this by-product
of water power created In the course
OF the same Improvement. and that
the general dam act should be 50
amended as to make this possible !
deem It highly important that the ma
tion should adopt consistent and
harmonious treatment on these water
power projects. which will preserve
for this purpose their value to the
whose right it is to grant
the permit Any other policy is equiv
alent to throwing away a most val
liable national asset.
The Panama Canal
During the past year the work Of
construction upon the canal has pro-
gressed most satisfactorily. About
81 per cent OF the excavation work has
been completed, and more than 90 per
cent Of the concrete for all the locks
ia in place. IN view of the great in
terest which has been mseifested as
to some slides in the Culebra Cut.
am glad to say that the report OF Col.
Goethals should allay any apprehen-
sion on this point 1t is gratifying to
note that none OF the slides which oc-
Cured during this year would have IN
terfered with the passage of the ships
had the canal, in fact, been IN opera
tion. and when the slope pressures
viii have been finally adjusted and
the growth OF vegetation win minimize
erosion in the banks Of the cut, the
slide problem win be practically |
solved and an ample stability assured !
for the Culebra Cut
Although the official date OF the
opening has been set for January /.
1916, the canal will, In fact. from
present indications. be opened for
during the latter half Of 1919
No fixed date can as yet be set, but
interests will be advised as
soon as assurances can be given that
vessels can pass through without un-
delay
Recognizing he administrative prob
lem in the management Of the canal,
in the act Of August "a, 1912
has made admirable provisions for
responsibility in the control
of the canal and the government Of
The Canal Zone The problem Of most
Efficient organization Is receiving care
Iul consideration. SO that a scheme OF
and control best adapted
10 the conditions Of the canal may be
and put in operation as ex-
as possible. Acting under
he authority conferred on me by con.
gress, I have. by executive proclama-
ion. promulgated the following sched-
lIe Of tolls for ships passing through
the canal. based upon the thorough
report OF Emory R Johnson. special
on trafac and tolls
/ On merchant vessels carrying
or cargo. $i20 per net yes
sel ton-each 100 cubic feet-of actual
capacity.
2. On vessels In ballast without
or cargo, 80 per cent less
han the rate OF tolls sor vessels with
or cargo
9. Upon naval vessels. other than
transports, coliers. hospital ships, and
supply ships. so cents per displace-
nent ton
4 Upon army and navy transports,
,olliers. hospital ships. and supply
hips. sl.20 per net ton the vessels
o be measured BY the same rules as
ire employed In determining the net
onnage OF merchant vessels.
Rules for the determination Of the
onnaee upon which toll charges are
,ased are now in course Of prepara-
ion and Will be promulgated In due
ieason.
Panama Canal Treaty.
The proclamation which hare f.
ued In respect to the Pauams Canal