The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1912-08-11

which see In It is, in allowing the
| directors to be -perpetuating. I
believe everything possible should be
| done to remove business from the in
| huence of politics and change. The
people, at any presidential election, or
| congress, at given intervals should
| have the right of recall.
| The plan proposed by Mr.. Geo. w
| Perkins of a business court in my
| opinion, while increasing the hold on
| the corporation, is after all. but a
| transfer OF disputed points or viola
I lions from one court to another and in
no manner provides against the prin-
| cipal evils of private monopoly.
Why Is this discussion OF business
inserted here? Because we are making
inquiry Of business methods and bus
mess men with hope Of applying
better business methods to the control
and utilization of the WATERWAYS m
is not my intention to suggest solu
| ton Of the trust question or n method
| or preventing or utilizing centraliza-
ton of industry. Nor do profess 10
be able to solve the waterway problems
| for the government MY purpose is.
II possible. to make an application Of
| the thoughts OF others and certain
methods used in business, TO the wat
! erways.
The waterways have not been utl
ized as they should. and past i'm
| provements have been made with
questionable economy. This condition
exists under government ownership.
Then we cannot advocate government
ownership as the cure. Nor do I be-
lieve an equal degree OF personal eff
ficiency will ever be secured for tht
government as IS given to the corporaI
lions. Any plan which does not stimu-
late the highest individuality and pro-
vide against the control OF the neces-
stiles for the benefit of the few, will
not succeed.
Can the people of the United States
devise such a plan?
Senator Newlands bill No. 100000.
introduced in the third session of the
improvements on the present methods
OF handling the waterways. II shows
great study and profound comprehen-
sion Of the subject.
But, II adopted, the personnel of the
proposed Board Of River Regulation"
would be changed frequently No
provision is made. to utilize business
knowledge and men. as distinguished
from technical experts. 1t viii be sub
ject TO all the evils Of bureaucracy.
I believe the following plan for deal
| ing with the waterways will provide
I LIST. The right to all to compete on
terms equal in the use of the water
ways.
End. Remove any danger Of private
monopoly.
Srd. Provide for the Improvement.
protection, and utilization Of the wat
erways free from the evils, and with
all the benefits Of government owner
ship.
Let congress form corporation.
Capitalize the harbors, waterpowers
| and waterways, and convey them for
| ever to the corporation. The stock TO
/ b. h. 2
and the basis Of bond issues for the
adequate, immediate Improvement OF
| the waterways. as a line Of transpoa
| tation, with terminal harbors. etc. The
| first board Of directors to be selected
as follows: One by the governor or
| legislature Of each state, and an agreed
number by congress. These men should
| be Of the highest character and reI~e-
tation, and chosen with regard to their
| qualifications for the work The board
| should be self perpetuating. The mem
| bers appointed from the states subject
to recall by the voters Of the state at
! any regular state election: those Sc
lected by congress. subject to recall
| by the voters Of the United States at
any national election.
The bonds guaranteed by the gov
eminent would be salable to investors.
In the event no toll OF charge Is 10
! be made for the use Of the WATERWAYS
4
| facilities. One adequate terminal 81
each shipping point should be owned
| by the waterway corporation. Or in
| the event that source Of revenue is
| rejected. the lease and use OF the
waterpowers would doubtless Weld
| sufficient revenue to pay interest or
| the bonds and eventually retire then.
A legitimate proportion Of the revenue
| received by the United States from
| exports and imports is earned by the
ports and waterways; this should b
| paid to the waterway corplratioYS
| Thus, means would be provfEed to
make the waterways f-suftaining
| and retire the bonds required for the
! original improvement.
This plan, applied to the WATERWAYS.
| waterpowers. and ports would encoun
ter no difficulties OF purchase as would
| exist in its application to the raflroad.
suggested by Mr.. Cook :.
| All Of the departments, bureaus and
| facilities Of the government as indf-
| Gated in Senator Newlands bill. could
! be utilized in an advisory capacity.
and all Of the related interests CON
! sidered and conserved. States munic-
| qualities and other local agencies could
| cooperate and should be required in
| every case where waterway Or port
| Improvement is 10 be made to fur
! nish at least the necessary money to
| provide for adequate terminal facil-
/ tiles to be the property Of the water
way corporation and operated in its
] interests.
| The only weakness can see IN this
! plan is the possibility Of personal in
! efficiency In the directors. This e. ,
| condition beyond human capacity 10
J provide against