Evening journal., 1917-12-15

zone Of Wilmlngton markets. The in
dustrial and commercial survey that
has been made should go far to aid in
a right decision upon this harbor pro-
iect. II is TO be hoped that the wisest
counsels will prevail
If we are 20 claim the place that
the United States should occupy in
world commerce after the war. IL Is
the most absolute folly 10 walt for the
uncertain date in the future that Is to
end the conflict, to begin TO provide
the necessary facilities for expendlng
commerce, both in making inland chan
nels for water-borne commerce avail
able and in providing convenient and
adequate harbor facilities.
Speaking as the representative Of
the National Rivers and Hai bors Con-
gress, the chief mission of which Is
TO develop and sustain sound sentiment
favorable In the Federal Congress, to
the rational development Of worthy
waterways, / would echo the authori-
tatlye statement made before the At
lantic Deeper Waterways Association at
Miami a few days ago by Congress
man John II Small chairman OF the
Rivers and Harbors Committee in the
House OF Representatives at Washing
ton. that IL is now the pretty well set
tied policy Of the National Government
90 spend the money Of our people
upon channels that would benefit the
communities that evidence their inter
est in the matter by providing modern
terminals. warehouses and up-to-date
freght-handlng facilities The COM
f0A In
matter are now regarded as entitled TO
only secondary consideration.
zone matter that has claimed my at
tention with reference 20 the stressful
transportation situation, was contained
in a Wash ngion dispatch from the
United Press to a Wilmington paper
two days ago. 10 was the agreement Of
the National Food Commission and Fuel
Administrator Garfield that the cruX OF
the matter which Is now distressing the
country is the faulty rail situation.
This conclusion. coupled with the pros
pect Of early Federal control Of the
railroads, or a pooling Of coal produc-
tion and distribution by both rail and
water transportation facilities, brings
10 mind that as long ago as June 20 the
Federal Trade Commission recommend
cd 10 Congress Government pools OF
coal production and distribution Of rail
and water transportation The commits
sion then said in a report submitted af-
ter many months Of Investigation or
dered by Congress that the coal indus
try Is paralyzing the interest Of the
country and that the coal industry it.
self is paralyzed by the failure OF
transportation. Il was then recon-
mended that "ne transportation agen-
ces Of the United States, both rail and
water be pooled and operated
on Government account under the dir
ectlon Of the President and all such
means OF tran sportation be operated as
a unit | have alluded TO this matter
to suggest that while the Trade COM
mission report was predcated upon
months OF earnest investigation and
resulted in an apparently practical
solution, long in advance OF the pres
ent urgent fuel requirements Of the
country, it failed Of its mission; was
not made effective, and the present
brings forth practically the same solu-
ton OF the problem, new born but de-
void OF novelty. II iustines the won
/ derment as TO the value Of thoughtfully
evolved reports II they are only to be
abandoned in the scrap heap, when
their utilization would contribute TO
economic power and needed National
efficiency