The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1913-03-14
The Strings Tied 10 Pascagoula
River and HarbOr Appropriation

The appropriation for fascagouia
Harhor contained in the last bill 10
Congress is made upon conditions that
furnish food for thought, and q @hlch
II may even be said that blessing
NAV be disguised 10 what is an appar-
ent hardship.
one Or the conditions is that CUB
lie docks shall be supplied and main
tained. This condition attached to
public harbor appropriation : uu-
usual, but il has meaning that Tore
shadows what is now conceived to be
a wise public policy. It's purpose Is
TO forestall conditions that 10 the
history OF the mostimportant harbnFs
~ tie cation have proven detrimental
ard in some cases destructive of the
benefits to the public that the large
expenditure of public money was de-
signed 10 conserve. I. has even been
prophesled that such important ports
as Philadelphia, Cleveland and per.
han. New York will be considered
unnorthy Of governmental aid because
they have been wanting in CIVIC pride
Of foresight to provide public docks
aud facilities to protect the public ~
tae matter Of access to the port facil-
tiles provided at public expense
A port with nothing put railroad
owned docks is not a free port ana
does net properly and fully conserve
lila public interest The peoples
money Is Appropriated by prl'ate
corporations ana such port Is pFac-
ideally the property Of the railroads
owning tie docks aud is monopolzed
last as soon as the dockage is taken
lp BIZ tile railroads fortunate enough
to secure all available space. The
fact that Congress has already made
liberal appropriations for the port OF
pascag0uld, that the engineers have
regularly made most tiattering ana
favorable reports Of her merits, and
that this foresight is now expressed
in this provision or condition indi-
Gates AN adding faith in Der future
usefulness and a desire that she may
not have that future clouded by lhe
mistakes d Older ports.
There are two municipalities inter
ested in the port deckage required
and both mll naturally and properly
insist upon share in such docks as
may be PROVIDED under the require
uents Of this hil Tue law provides
tir tie municipal cantrol OF such
docks within the municipal LIMITS as
a public utility OF Tie municipality
aud the power 70 exercise the right
0f eminent domain M the establish
ment Of landiQps and free wharves on
navstahle streams, to construct an
needful Improvements in the haroor
and repair and regulate pubic wharges
and decks
10 view of the importance that Is
attached to the subject now BY the
FEDERAL authorities IN taking care Of
ports. preferring those that are thus
provided with wharyes and docks ex-
clusiyeiy public ana for public use
and benefit tile exercise Of the power
and jurisdiction thus vested in nunic,
ipal governments Ut port cite, and
of The Pascagouia port In partlcular
with its extensive shore line and
natural advantages, wise foresighf
requires that the matter be given all
due attention, and action be taken
while rights my be secured at small
cpst.
Delay mt only prolougs an unfayor-
ahle condition 81 affairs, hut involves
the risk Of loss Of location or increased
cost of space.