Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1919-04-15
DeUeIob the RiUers.

Proposals that the Government adopt an
extensive program of aiding the development
Of the countrys water courses, for purposes
both of navigation and of hydro-electrie pow
er, should be particularly appealing to the
South, whose latent resources of this nature
are so opulent.
Farsighted students of Americas CONNER
cial and Industrial interests have long empha-
sized the Importance of utilizing her rivers
Now more than ever before the wisdom Of
this counsel is manifest. A commerce that is
expanding and multiplying so rapidly ours
will need the combined facilities Of railroads,
highways and streams. The railroads them
selves, although once opposing the develop
ment of water transportation, now heartily
recognize how important part it must play
in the future of shipping and how essential is
it's development to the nations prosperity and
strength. Mr.. Walker u. Hines, for years one
of the foremost of American railroad execu-
tives, and now Director General of the Rail
ways, recently declared concerning the great
rivers, ''They should be used to the full ex-
tent of their capacity and should be allowed
unhndered to serve the interests of the ma
ton Further:
cit is not enough that we improve the
rivers and make them navigable. 1t is
equally important that we establish be-
tween the railways and the waterways a
system of handling freight economically
and proftably. Between the railways and
some of the big streams of the country
coordination has tc some extent been
established, and if given time we hope to
develop complete plan whereby the two
systems can work together profitably and
tremendously. 1t is the settled policy of
the Administration to give waterways
that liberal treatment which will enable
them to grow and expand and to furnish
them with the means whereby they can
contribute a maximum Of service to the
nation"
NhIIc no a
so jealousy circumscribed them, waterways
will grow in usefulness and their claims
for development will command a more and
more responsive hearing.
The need of water power for industry is no
less important than the need of water trans
portation for commerce. Economy and prog
ress alike are here concerned. 1t is reliably
estimated that if our water powers were suffi-
GENTLY developed and fairly administered, this
latter condition being, of course, essential,
American consumers would enjoy an annual
saving of at least fifty million dollars on their
power bills, whilst the labor of upwards of
seven hundred thousand men now engaged in
mining and transporting coal could be turned
to more productive industries. The potential
power now going to waste in American
streams would suffice, it is said, to run every
train, every factory and mill and every mine
in the country. That these facts are of vast
ly more than merely speculative interest we
came to realize in the harsh war winter OF
1Jl1-lS Wn6n scores OF Clues ana thousands
of people faced the discomfort and peril of a
nationwide coal shortage The due develop
ment of hydro-electric power, besides effect
ing large economies, will open opportunities
for industrial enterprise almost beyond limit
Here again, it should be insisted, that fair
administration of these resources is needful
if they are to serve the common interests in
stead of being mere spoils for money-struck
monOpolists. But program Of water power
development amply safeguarded by equitable
laws will prove a priceless incentive and sup
port to industrial progress.
The South particularly, we say, should he
interested in such a program, because her un-
developed resources of this kind are singular
~ abundant In Georgia streams alone there
is upwards of two million potential horse
power, only a meager fraction of which is
utilized. In the Chattahoochee alone there
is enough latent power to operate industries
that would give employment to one and q
quarter million people. AS for commerce. the
development of that river for navigation
would open new routes and new regions OF
trade for scores of towns and would benefit
first and last the entire Southeast. Add the
other considerable rivers in Georgia and ir
neighboring States, and something of the far
reaching significance of developing these
streams for transportation and for power be-
comes apparent. Assured1y other path Of
proposed Government enterprise will lead
further in prosperity and in material service
to the rank and lie.
The Germans apparently fear that the
Saar valley will become the Sere valley.
With the 'Eeague of Nations in control of
the Sarre valley, Germany in future will be
careful about scraps Of paper.