The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1918-02-07
Waterways and War
By Frederick J. Haskin


much stronger and less expensive sys-
TEN of shipment and travel than that
which we now have. This statement
can be made with some confidence on
the basis of the nations immediate
pressing needs of such a system, and
also on the basis of administration and
congressional plans looking to its de-
velopment.
The need is shown in the first place
by the facts that the railroads are act
uallY unable to carry the nations COM
merce in its present dimensions, and
that the ports which have been favored
by the railroads are congested by the
enormous freights which are concentrate
ed upon them. In the second place, &C
cording to economists, IN the conf
mercial rivalry after the war the nation
which can carry goods from inland fac
tory cities to the ships at the lowest
cost will haye the advantage; and this
advantage will go the nation with the
best system OF inland waterway trans
portation, for if terminal and carrier
facilities are equal freight can always
be carried more cheaply by water than
by rail.
This system, according to govern
ment economists, will not in the least
injure railroad traffic, as the railroads
will have all they can do to handle
strictly inland and rapid transportation.
Neither will this development be ad-
verse to the great valley cities, which
have attained their i'm oortance as part
way centers in transcontinental railway
traffic. For after the war the Panama
Canal is to come into its full Importance
as the cheapest route from coast to
coast.
Thus it is only by developing inland
waterway connections with ports that
the great inland commercial cities can
retain their Importance in traffic be-
tween East and West by linking them
selves to the all-water route.
IllC lIlGLCob VI NllC administrator III
this plan is evidenced by the activities
of Walter Parker of the Department
of Commerce, who bears the title of as
sistant to the secretary for inland water
transportation. For some time Mr..
Parker has spent practically all of his
time touring the country, addressing
organizations of business men on the
subject of inland water transportation,
explaining in each city the importance
to its business interests of erecting the
terminals and establishing the beat
lines which will assure it a place in the
new system.
Mr.. Parker has co-operated with the
Inland Water Commission of the Coun-
Gil for National Defense, the chairman
of which is Maj. Gen. W. NJ. Black.
who Is also chief of the United States
Corps of Engineers. Thus executive.
advisory and engineering branches of
the administration have been co-ordinat-
ed in the work.
This project is reflected in Congress
in renewed activity of all the proponents
of canal and river development. I'm
Fortunately, the chief part which Con-
gress has played in waterway develop
ment for some years has been in the
passage of notorious river and harbor
bills which have been wasteful and lack
ing in plan. The chief effect has been
TO discredit waterway improvement in
the public mind. Besides, what is need
ed is not channel improvement half so
much as boats, terminal and storage
facilities, and CO. operation instead of
competition between rail and water
routes. A dawning sense of this state
of affairs is indicated in the statement
of Chairman John H. Small of the
House Rivers and Harbors Committee.
that in the future localities seeking
channel improvements by Federal ac-
ton must be prepared to furnish proper
terminal facilities and assurance that
the improved channels will be adequate
ly used
Waterside cities are showing a wide
awake tendency to meet the response
bilities which the new transportation
system will impose upon them by cree
ing the necessary terminal facilities.
Thus Memphis recently voted $500. 600
in bonds tor the construction of large
terminal at that point, and plans are
now being made for its erection. New
Orleans is especially commended by
government experts for the progress
which has been made there in the de-
velopment of terminal and water
front storage system, co. ordinating
river, rail and ocean traffic. The need
for waterway development is shown by
the fact that sugar is now reaching New
Orleans from Louisiana plantations by
way of shallow channels, because rail-
road cars for carrying it cannot be had.
Other recent developments of inland
waterway transportation which have
been made necessary by the car short
age include the operation of line of
O Vernmpnt harpeS nm tho Mieaiccipp,