The star-progress. (Opelousas, La.) 1917-1921, 1920-11-24

and some live, snappy debates may be
expected.
Everybody knows that waterways are
very much less used in the United
States than they are in Europe. Maj.
General Lansing H. Beach, chief of
engineers, United States army, has
some very positive views as to the rea-
sons why waterways are so little used
in this country and the things that
must be done before the situation can
be changed.
The National Rivers and Harbors
congress took the lead in securing the
important provisions for the benefit
of waterways and water transporta-
tion which are included in the trans
portation act. Under one of these
provisions there has been created the
division Of inland and coastwise water
ways service, Of which Brig General
w. D. Conner if chief. Aong toher
things this division has charge of the
government barge lines on the Mis-
sissippi and Warrior rivers and the
New York state canals.
1t is no secret that most old-time
steamboatmen think that the tow
boats which have been built for use
on these barge lines, all Of which are
of the tunnel type, will prove to be
disastrous failures. Some of the new
tow-boats are now in US eand a report
on their performance is awaited with
much interest. Gen. Connor's address
will be illustrated with moving pic
lures.
i. All active workers for the improve
ment Of waterways are familiar with
the methods followed for thirty years
or more in the formulation of rivers
and harbors bills, but mighty few Of
them have any idea how it is to be
done in the future. Just before the
close OF the last session the house
passed a resolution which puts all
power to frame appropriation bills in
to the hands Of a single committee,
which is to be composed of thiryt-five
members.
1t seems there is still to be rivers
and harbors committee although it
will not frame rivers and harbors
bills. Hon. s. Wallace Dempsey, M.
c., whose home is at Lockport, N. Y.
has been a member Of the committee
for several years and it is understood
that he will be its chairman in the
next congress. His address on "Fu-
ture River and Harbors Bills" will no
doubt clear up a number Of points
which are now obscure.
From various quarters demands are
being made for still more radical
changes in the methods of handling
the improvement Of waterways. Some
urge the creation of new department
of public works and others the appoint
ment Of a waterways commissions.
Some of the advocates Of these two
plans want to take away from con-
gress the power to decide what
should be done and from the army
engineers the execution Of the works
thta are ordered. Others believe that
congress should outline a general
plan and then turn over lump sum
each year to the army engineers to be
expended according to their judg-
ment.
There is a genenal impression that,
among other changes that will be
made by the administration that will
come into power on the fourth OF next
March, will be change in the meth
cd of dealing with the improvement
Of rivers and harbors. If press re-
ports of addresses made by president
elect Harding are correct, he believes
a change is desirable and is inclined
to favor the appointment Of commits
sion. Further study may change his
opinion, however and a. discussion Of
the various plans proposed should be
an interesting and valuable feature Of
the convention.