Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-12-09
URGES DEVELOPING
WATERWAYS TOAD
TRANSPORTATION
Senator RansdeII Reports to
Rivers and Harb0rs Con-
qresS Here.

1t would take an appropriation OF
more than four billion dollars to en-
large the railroad transportation sys-
meet the fast-grawing transportation
needs of the next decade. but it
would take only about $500, O00. 900 to
develop waterways of the country to
meet the same need by supplement
ing the rail transportation. Inside
the next five years it will be impos-
sible to raise four billions, despite
the imperative need for more ade-
quate transportation means. but
raising half a billion for accomplish
ing the same purpose may readily be
done.
Senator Ransdell Reports.
This was the substance of a state
ment made by Senator Joseph E.
Ransdell of Louisiana, president of
the National Rivers and Harbors Con-
gress. in presenting his annual re-
port to the fifteenth annual conven-
ton of the congress at the Willard
Hotel today. The congress, with
about 600 delegates present, is here
to decide upon the exact language and
specific provisions to be included in
legislation needed to protect and de-
velop water transportation and to Sc
cure cooperation between railways
and waterways.
Secretary Daniels Speaks.
Declaring that neither profiteering
nor bolshevism is going to destroy the
nation. Secretary of the Navy Daniels
told the delegates all good Americans
are determined that justice, law and
order must prevail in the republic.
The people must not be too impatient
about the nations getting back: to the
peace status; there are no short cuts
to normal conditions" he said. The
cost of living can't be cut by patent
nostrums."
The present high cost of commod-
tiles goes back to a complicated sit
uation, Mr.. Daniels continued, and
upon the development of adequate
transportation facilities and distribute
ing agencies rests large measure of
relief. "Our rivers are almost without
commerce today, while congestion on
the railroads is very serious. Freight
transportation cost is a large item in
everything we use. Not a pound of
freight should be sent by rail when
it is possible to send it by water
Business is outgrowing transporta-
ton and during the next ten years
our foreign trade will develop enor-
mously, the Secretary of the Navy
predicted. Rivers, harbors, railroads.
trucking highways must be developed
to meet the demand" he said.
Shipbuilding Has Just Begun.
We've just begun the business of
Shipbuilding. We're going to need
every ship we can build to carry our
goods to the world. We must have
the equal of the worlds greatest mer-
chant marine. Our waterways and
harbors must be developed to accom-
modate a large movement of goods
from inland to the coasts" Mr.. DAN
iels concluded.
Senator Ellison d. Smith of South
Carolina declared he has been con-
verified to the doctrine that it is the
duty of the country to invest all the
funds it can spare in the construction
of permanent highways for heavy
truck traffic and for developing the
water highways to supplement the
railroads and highroads.
Mrs. Strout Gives Address.
Mrs. Sarah Willard Strout, president
Harbors Congress. addressed the meet
ing very briefly, and S. A. Thompson.
made the secretary treasurer's annual
report.
Representative John H Small of
North Carolina, spoke on How Can
We Emancipate Water Transporter
tion?" There was general discussion
of the subject waterway Amend
ments to the Railroad Bill" Lieut.
ed lecture Notes from an Inspection
of European Waterways
The question of charging the We'll
land canal and joint Canadian
American channel building project to
provide means for ocean navigation
into the great lakes will come before
the Congress tomorrow.