The Washington herald., 1918-07-22
WATERWAYS
VITAL MATTER
Co-ordinated Development
of Country's System Ur-
gent, Says Holland.

4 <A1cOCldLAOu VI OluLucICCt mas LOT
several years given much thought
to the subject OF inland water trans
portation. II IL a subject which Is
deemed of especial Importance not
only by the very energetic New Or
leans Association Of Commerce but
also by bodies of like character In
various cities of the Mississippi and
Ohio valleys. Now that the Federal
government has adopted . definite
policy which has iu view the de-
velopment of inland water trans
portation In such manner that It
will become q practicable and CO.
ordinated factor in the general
transportation system Of the coun-
try there VIII be created after the
war is ended. in Mr.. Parker's view.
a new and very helpful element in
the commercial and Industrial life
Of the nation.
At one time. and In fact until the
great changes that the war has
occasioned began 70 be observed.
the railroads OF the United States
were able successfully to compete
with the canals for tra6ic. The
New York Central. for instance, by
means of economies. speed II trans
portation and excellent terminal fa-
cilities was able after a while TO
transport wheat from Buffalo TO the
eastern seaports az less cost than
was entailed in order to operate
successfully the Erie canal hoaIs.
So also the railroad lines paraIlei
to the Mississippi and the Ohio riv-
ers were able to maintain success
full competition with river navIga-
tion. In fact at one Time u seemed
almost as though the carving Of
freight upon boats which navigated
the Mississippi river was at an end
Now It has been discovered that II
the canals are SO used as to sup
plement railroad operation then
there will be commercial advantage
found both in navigating rivers and
inland waterways and also N oper-
! ating railroads
Conserve Moisture.
Mr.. Parker says that under the
policy which Is to be adopted speedily
by the Federal government the prob
lem Of channel protection will be
solved through scientific treatment.
When this is done there will be
| stream flow regulation through the
conservation and use OF food waters
that are now wasted. Furthermore
contour plowing on all the farms In
water shed will permit a much
greater portion Of the rainfall and
melting SHOWS to soak into the ground
than has been the case in the past.
In this way moisture will be con-
served for the benefit the crops, and
served for the benefit Of the crops.
so also there will be reduction of
soil erosion.
When Congress adopted, almost ex-
actly a year ago, the so-caIled New
lands river regulation amendment to
the River and Harbor bill IL became
possible for the Federal government.
In cooperation with States, cities and
private parties. to make provision for
the carrying out Of enterprises where
by our inland waterways NAV be
conserved and may be well utilized
for navigation as well as for other
purposes.
The President was authorized by
the Newlands amendment to an
point commission for the purpose
OF formulating a comprehensive plan
Tor carrying into effect the scienti-
nc development OF the water re-
sources of the country. Very likely
a plan of this kind will be perfected
before the end OF the war so that
at the close Of the war there wifi
be plentiful employment upon s
great national project, which win
create new wealth in larger volume
II the Federal government creates
and operates boat lines, it will be
necessary TO establish adequate ter
mtnal and storage equipment at
every city which is to be served,
Equipment OF this kind would pro-
Vlde for coordination between the
railroads, the motor trucks and the
highways, and be such as to per
NIT shippers to assemble commo-
olties in water storage, there TO
await transportation of these com
modities either by boat, train or mo-
tor truck.
After the War Ia Over.
After the war is ended the leading
commercial nations Of the world will
nnd themselvef, in need of foreign
markets. That ' u be the case with
the United States. The most SUCCESS
fuI European nations in the past that
have engaged in international trade
nave made every possible use Of nat
urai and artificial waterways. Ameri-
can merchants and manufacturers
will be in better condition to COM
pete with foreign nations II our IN
land waterways under government.
regulation, protection and perfection.
are utilized in the most practical and
economic way.
The opinion OF those who have given
much study Of late to this subject,
an opinion which Mr.. Parker shares.
is this: scientific treatment and de-
velopment of natural resources Of the
country, including navigation. will
work some important changes IN trade
routes from sources Of supply and in
markets. These are matters to Witch
the commission which the President
was authorized under the New;anGs
amendment to appoint will give care
full consideration. Sections Of the
country which heretofore have ben
Gifted by the elimination Of water
transportation in other sectors VII
inevitably pass through some COM
mercial readjustment, since the effect
upon such sections vii be to I 4duNe
congestion, and in the naturally water
served sections to broaden activity
and enterprise.
Mr.. Parker, speaking for himself
and for the Associa ton OF Commerce
Of New Orleans. said that in the ap-
scence Of boat lines In the Miss ssirpi
valley which should be the COM
pelling factor IN the drift of COM
merce movin. north and south, the
east and west railroad lines have