Omaha daily bee., 1915-10-22
OMAHA SETS OUT
THE RIVER NEEDS
Local DELEGATIONS Show Demands
Before Federal Board of En-
gineers at Kansas City.
CONDITIONS NOW DIFFERENT

The Omaha delegation made a good
impression in Kansas City at the
hearing before the federal board of
engineers for rivers and harbors,
where they gave testimony tending
80 show that there is a demand for
river improvement on the Missouri
river that will make It readily navi-
gable. The hearing was held to give
Omaha, Kansas City, st. Joseph. st.
Louis, and other river towns. q
chance to protest against the pre-
liIhinary report of Lieutenant Colonel
Deakyne, who recommended the
abandonment of the river improve
ment program inaugurated by con-
gress five years ago.
The Omaha delegation. consisting Of
E. j. McVann, John L. Kennedy, J. s.
White. and Robert II. Manley. has re-
turned after an exceptionally busy two
days spent in Kansas City.
+. J. McVann took much of the time
Tuesday testifying as to the effect OF
the Panama canal on the railway rates
and the possible results OF water trans
portation on railway rates in general.
Kennedy Gives Reason.
on Wednesday John L. Kennedy had
the floor for a long session. during which
he cleared up some points as to why
river transportation has diminished on
the Mississippi, which was point about
which the board was curious since
Omaha and the other towns are seeking to
have river transportation re-established.
Mr.. Kennedy pointed out that the keen
ness of railway competition had led to
methods that hindered the river trans
portstion. and that the Interstate Com
merce commission will now no longer
permit such methods as those the rail-
ways employed to defeat the purpose OF
river transportation.
This point brought out the first burst
of applause heard at the hearing.
when the government will decide to
continue its policy set forth by congress
five years ago." said Mr.. Kennedy, then.
and not till then, will capital develop
river transportation" He told the board
that its recommendations might be the
deciding influence in determining the con-
kIc6HiOndA BOilCy III AOb0AN " NAAN AoNN-AS
development of the rivers. He urged that
the board strike out that part of the re-
port of Lieutenant Colonel Deakyne
which advocates the discontinuance of
the river Improvement policy of congress
He declared that when the government
takes up this policy and goes ahead with
1t Omaha and st. Louis will come ac-
lively into the project and that river
navigation between Omaha and New Or
leans would inevitably follow.
As to Lumber.
j. s. White testified largely as to lum-
ber conditions and the need of river navi-
cation for other Omaha commerce. Rob-
ert Ii. MRnIey, commissioner of the Conn
mercial club OF Omaha, testified as to the
activity of the Omaha Commercial club
In bringing about the transportation ia
cilities now in operation locally at Omaha,
and as to the volume of cargo available.
Much was also brought out at the hear
ing as to the possible hay tonnage that
would 80 down the river readily II river
transportation were definitely esta blished
up and down the river,
The board granted the request of the
Omaha delegation to be permitted to file
a brief soon setting forth the case of
Omaha in this whole navigation matter.