Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-03-23
CANALS PROVIDED
IN RAILROAD BILL
Improved Inland Waterway
Transportation Contem-
plated in Measure
THIS PORT INTERESTED
Necessities of Business Make Value
of New Construction
Obvious
BY J. HAMPTON MOORE
Washington, March %.

By J. HAMPTON MOORE
Washington, March 20.
In Che rairoad-control hill is n para
graph of great interest to the advocates
Of improved rivers and harbCrs along
the Atlantic seaboard II provides that
the President, whenevr it may seem de-
sIrabe shall expend such proportion Of
the revolving fund resulting from the
opcration of the railroads FOR the utii-
ization and operation OF canals. or for
the purchase construction or utilization
and operation Of boats, barges. tugs and
other transportation facilities on the
inland, canal and coastwise waterways
And the President is further authorized
in this connection to operate and use
such facilities and TO create Gr employ
such agencies and enter into such con-
tracts and agreements as lie shall deem
in the public Interest"
This inland waterway provision was
left in the bill by both Senate and
House substantially as IT was drafted
by tho Interstate Commerce Comms-
sion at the instance Of the President and
director general of railroads II was
agitation for the use of waterways and
canals in conjunction with the railroads,
and to relieve our transportation diff
culties.
As originally drawn the word canals
Vas non included in the bill as proper y
tn he purchased under the authority cen
tered This word was inserted by 1he
Interstate and Foreftn Commerce Com
Am'ttce of the House at the request OF
the president OF the Atlantic Deeper
Waterways Association. who argued that
unless the President was given jurisdh-
ton over canals they might not be In.
& uded within the meaning of trans.
portation systems" as defined in the
Presidents proclamation taking over the
railroads. There was much discussion
on this. point in the House. which re-
suited in an amendment striking out tht
word purchase where II applied tC
canals, but leaving IT easily within the
power of the President or the director
general of railroads to take over. utilize
ana operate such canals as he deemed
useful for the public service.
Inland Waters to He Used
Bringing canals thus within the 'pur
view of the director general of rail
roads was distinct victory for the At
Iantlc Deeper waterways Association
The director general had already givei
assurance that he would use waterway
and canals to aid transportation wher
ever he found them serviceable. An in
land waterways committee, comm,
largely under the direction of the chic
OF engineers of the army. was formed
ana this committee has already starte'
10 get down to brass tacks. 1t is maxim,
inquiries as to the availability of Ger
tain natural streams and artificial water
ways.
Included among these, of course, |
the Mississippi River, whose advocate
have never been slow in coming forwar
for improvements involving Federal ap
preparations. There is much to be sal
in favor of the Mississippi and of tn
Missouri if they can be made to re
spond to the demands of commerce. Tn
Southern States are naturally favor
able because of their faith in souther
ports such as New Orleans and CAVES
ton. which would undoubtedly he we
fed by an improved Mississippi Bu
the immediate demand of, the Mississippi
boomers is not so much for cham,
depth or for tractibility of flow
water as 1t is for material assistanC
in the organization of steamboat an
barge lines which might be operated
so subsidized. The Black Warrior Rive
which reaches the Alabama coal field
Is also veing considered for this kind
Government aid.
The argument is that if these river
can be made to carry what the railroad
are incapable of carrying they will |
giving distinct service to the countr
in the prosecution of the war. The la
provides not only for the utilzatio
and operation of canals and waterway
hut also for the purchase, constru,
2 tion and utilization and operation
boats, barges, tugs and other transpo
tation facilities"
1t Is a broad commission thus give
10 the director general of railroads.
may take over existing barge lines or /
may construct new ones, and he ma
operate them. While 1t IS not public
announced, 1t Is believed that a part
the director generals plan for the in
provement of transportation by wat
as well as by rail will involve the a
Justment or coordination of water al
rail rates, so that one transportati,
system may not lower or raise i
rates for the purpose of putting q
other out of business.
Philadelphia Is Interested
No city relatively has a greater inte
est In this new grant of power TO 4
administration than Philadelphia. Ey,
IN Washington II is regarded as reil
me foremost inland waterway city
the country 1t is so advantageous
situated geographically as to invite I
envy of some of the western citi
whose representatives do not fully a
preciate the importance of the Delawa
River or the military value of its n
tional service. This was shown recent
when some gentlemen from the valley
the Mississippi actually disputed
wisdom of making a $50.000,0 900 apr
priation for housing shipyard workt
near the seaboard. They thought sh
building was too much encouraged wht
the industries are congested and ratf
intimated that some of this housi
money might go eWst. even as far as I
Rocky Mountains. All of which pro,
that education and agitation In the m;
/. ter of inland waterways is not waste {
ergy, and that Philadelphia with all
n natural advantages as an inland wat
ways city, must continue to fight to h,
that which 1t has and to acquire Il
which II needs.
In the matter of canal and waterw
f utilization as contemplated by the n
railroad law, Philadelphia needs. and
far as that Ia concerned, the nation a