The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1912-04-08
GOVERNMENT. MUST
PROTECT WATERWAYS
National Commission Recon-
mends Steps Be Taken
Against Rail Competition

WASHINGTON, April S.-Further
legislation TO protect waterways
against railway competition. TO estab-
lish amicable relations between the
two and TO promote federal co-opera-
ton with local interests In the con-
struction OF canals are urged in the
first-EepeEt- of the National Water
ways commission, just made public.
The report declares that the fed
eral government within the compare
lively near future must inevitably as
sumo control of some features or
waterpower regulation.
The commission recommends that
army engineers be assigned to super
wise the proposed canal to connect
the Ohio river near Pittsburgh with
Lake Erie when $4,000, 900 cash and
5000 900 in bonds are made avail
able by the communities interested.
The commission recommends that
when work on the canal Is begun
that congress appropriate for an ade-
quate harbor in Indian Creek on the
Lake Erie end and TO improve the
Ohio river in the Pittsburgh district
These improvements are TO be COM
pleted when operation OF the canal
begins. but the government is not to
be required TO buy land and Is not
bound TO assume any financial re-
sDonsibilities whatever.
A survey for a canal from Lake
Erie to the southern end OF Lake
Michigan Is recommended and the
commission concluded from its pres
ent information that the most feas-
ible route would be through the Maui
NEE river by way of Fort Wayne and
that fourteen feet would be a prac-
tical depth.
IL recommends increased power for
the interstate commerce commission
TO govern joint rates and through
routes between rail and water lines,
to compel physical connection be-
tween them and to compel railways
to charge less than local rates to all
lake and river ports on through traf-
fic exchanged with domestic boat
lines.
other recommendations are for
legislation to control public term
inals; federal participation with To-
oalities in flood control; prevention OF
deforestation on -non,agricnitural
lands and reforestation OF denuded
tracts, amendments of laws controll-
ing water power on navigable streams
and within the public domain.
The commission points to the traf-
fic possibilities of the Lake Erie and
Ohio canal and says substantial re-
auctions OF railroad rates may be ex-
pected to follow its operation. The
Lake Erie-Michigan canal would OBJ
viate the detour around the Michigan
peninsula and give a more direct
water route from Chicago to New
York.
Legislation is necessary to prevent
the elimination OF water competition
and to prevent the raising OF water
rates under railway control, In the
opinion OF the commission. 1t be-
lieves the interstate commerce laws
are now insufficient TO preserve water
transportation and foster its growth.
1t urges that every water carrier In
interstate commerce be under con-
troll OF the interstate commerce COM
mission 10 enable the commission 10
establish through routes, joint rates
and through bills of ladlng, without
which, the commission believes, the
rehabilitation OF water traffic will not
he complete.
The report arraigns the inadepuacy
OF water terminals and urges that
further river and harbor improve
ments be avoided without assurances
of proper terminals on completion.
Federal condemnation OF private
property for public terminals Is not
recommended except where a locality
establishes its inability to deal with
the terminal problem.
Commercial Credit Co.. Rstings.