The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1912-04-08
Questions of Vital importance
for the Future Are Dis
cussed Therein.

WASHlATTDNs April 6!--fufther
legislation to protect waterways
against railway competition; to es-
tablish amicable relations between the
two and to. promote federal co-opera-
ton with local interests in construc-
ton Of canals are urged In the first
report Of the National waterways
Commission Just made public.
The report declares that the federal
government within the comparatively
near future must inevitably assume
control of some features of water
power regulation.
The commission recommends that
army engineers be assigned to super
wise the proposed canal to connect the
Ohio river near Plttsburg with Lake
Erie when 100000 cash and
100000 in bonds are made ayailabls
by the communities interested. The
secretary of war, however. may de-
mand that these amounts be increased.
The commission recommends that
when work on the canal is begun that
Congress appropriate for an adequate
harbor in Indian creek ON the Lake
Erie end and to improve the Ohio
river in the Pittsburg district; These
improvements are to be completed
when work on the canal is begun
but the government Is not to be re-
quired to buy any land and is not
bound to assume any, financial re-
sponsibilities 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 feasible
route would be through the Maumee
river by way of Fort Wayne and that
fourteen feet would be a practical
depth.
1t 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
traffic exchanged with domestic boat
lines.
Other recommendations are for leg
islation to control public terminals;
federal participation with localities IN
food control; prevention of deforesta.
ton on non-agricultural' lands and
reforestation of denuded tracts;
amendments of laws controlling water
power on navigable streams and with
in the public domain. Az -
The commission points to the traffic
possibilities of the Lake Erie and
Ohio canal and says substantial re-
auctions of railroad rates may be
expected to follow its operation, The
Lake Erie-Michlgan canal would
lobviate the detour around the Mich
igan peninsula and give more di-
rect 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 control
Of the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion to enable the commission to es-
tablish through routes, joint rates and
through bills of lading, without which,
the commission believes, the rehab-
ilitation of water traffic will not be
complete.
The report arraigns the inadequacy
of water terminals and urges that
further river and harbor improve
ments be avoided without assurances
of proper terminals on COMPLETING.
Federal condemnation of priva.e
property for public terminals is not
recommended except where locality
establishes Its inability to deal with
the terminal problem
1t is recommended that the federal
government investigate and report to
the next session of Congress whether
reservoirs are needed to supply water
in the dry season to operate present
and proposed locks and dams in the
Allegheny. Monongahela and Ohio
rivers and the extent to which the
federal government should participate.
Zach case of reservoir construction,
by the commissions findings, should
be considered on its merits.
other recommendation are to sub