The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1912-04-05

scontlnned from Flr.t Pare,

p1eted Within a reasonable time, Tor
while the existing commerce on some
OF these waterways f. small at present
as compared with that on . few other
streams in this country. 1t is believed
that their completion In accordance
with the projects adopted viii result
in a large commerce upon
each OF them and that benefits entire
IL common surate with the outlay win
result to the country at large The
resources of the areas contiguous to
these waterways and the rapid de-
velopment of the sections through
which they run seem to justify this
expectation.
The project for the further improve
ment OF the falls in st. Marys river
may be said to stand in a class by 1T
self. 1T being one of the most import
ant arteries OF commerce in the whole
country. IT already accommodates a
large freight tonnage. For the year
1911 the commercial statistics furnish
ed by the engineers show total OF
s2.ss3,21s tons going over this river.
an Increase OF 30.s17.112 tons since
1904, and from all appearances this
tonnage will continue to increase as
rapidly for several years to come.
pending upon this enormous commerce
and the damage that would result from
any serious delay in its passage to
points OF destination made the COM
mittee unwilling to take any chances
of freight congestion at these falls
which ample lock facilities might pre-
vent. Hence, 1t was thought best to
provide in this bill for the construc-
ton Of another large lock alongside
of the one now being built, and to
wait until this lock is completed be-
fore beginning he enlargement of the
Poe lock, as suggested by some of the
engineers. The committee was in
f1uenced in the course taken In the
present bill and to construct the 1arg-
er lock by the chief of engineers, who
not only recommended this course in
his report to Congress-. but adhered to
the same in an interview had with
him by the committee on rivers and
harbors. he being OF the opinion that
the building Of the new lock is much
the wiser course.
It will be seen that the bill con-
tains quite number of items where
projects have been adopted, subject
| to conditions set forth in the reports
| of the engineers recommending such
projects. These recommendations
usually take the shape Of local par
iticipation; that is, that the localities
or parties Immediately interested con-
tribute something toward the prose-
cution Of the Improvement. Occasion
+. ally the recommendation is that the
fright OF way, where such is desired
be furnished, or that terminal facili-
ties to given extent be afforded. The
proportions thus recommended to be
contributed by localities range all the
way from one-f1fth to one-han of the
amount estimated to complete the
projects. respectively, and are based
on advantages especially accruine
leither to individuals or to the local
Titles where the commerce is more loca
than general
/ In this connection I wish to call at
itention to provisions in the bill ex.
/ tending. the scope of the investiga-
lions heretofore required Of the en-
gineers in preliminary and other ex-
Examinations and the reports thereon
Among these are inquiries into botf
private and public ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
and dock facilities contiguous to ths
waterways Of harbors to be improved
This is a subject the Importance o.
which cannot be overrated One of tn,
| most serious handfcaps to watertrans
fportation heretofore existing has beer
the lack of dock facilities within thu
reach of everyone and at REASONABLE.
rates to all desiring to use the water
/ way in question. The tendency haf
! been for many years toward the own
iership and control of such facilities b.
railroads, or by them and steamship
companies acting in conjunction,
practice not conducive to competition
lin freight carriage or to the cheal
handling Of freight. The result ha
been in many instances to almost de
stroy transportation by water, as 1t i
impossible for private enterprise t,
| compete, in the face of such draw
backs. with railroad transportation O
denominations of railroads and steam
ship lines. This is a condition which
docs not exist in European countries
! as the various governments abroad ex
ercise a greater degree of control owe
railroads than has heretofore been ex
ercised in the United States; and this
IL may say, furnishes an importan
treason. If not the chief one, for tn
greater use of the waterways o
Europe than is made of those in thi
country. A change, however, is nov
,
} communities, including several of TIL
larger cities, have awakened to tn
Importance of freeing commerce from
this handicap, by municipal or othe
public ownership or control of docl
: and terminal facilities. much remain
to be done. Legislation to remedy thi
will, perhaps, be necessary. but, befor
undertaking. much information no
now in the possession of Congress i
needed. and it is the purpose of tn
| provision to which 1 have just REFER
| ed to furnish the information.
i The plan adopted in this and in tn
two preceding bills of fixing a tim
limit for the completion of some o
the larger projects should be com
mended. The spasmodic, haphazar
!, way IN which work had been carrie
on before by reason of insufficient ap
preparations caused parties inclined t
, use waterways to hesitate in maxim.
the necessary arrangements, as Their
could be no certainty as to when tn
Improvement would be finished and tn
waterway in a condition for use. Sue
! a provision in a measure commits Con
gress to the plan and practically in
sures continuance of the appropria
!, tions necessary for its completion
5 within the time limit. OF course n
one Congress can in this way irreyoc
ably commit another to a given plan i
/ the matter of waterway Improvement
but the tendency is in that direction
1 and have no doubt but that in eac,
/ case Congress will continue the appro
t priations from year to year until tn
- g.