Milford chronicle., 1920-12-03
SIXTEENTH RIVERS AND
HARBORS CONVENTION
TO BE HELD In WASHINGTON, D. c., IN
DECEMBER TO DISCUSS PLANS FOR
CAMPAIGN In CONGRESS.

Following the preliminary an.
,ouncement sent out month ago, the
oGicial call for the Sixteenth Conven-
zion of the National Rivers & Har-
hors Congress has now been issued
7 ike all the recent conventions of the
Congress this will be held in the New
Willard Hotel, Washington, d. c., the
dates being Wednesday, Thursday anC
FRIDAY. the eighth, ninth and tenth OF
December.
While the entire program has not
been announced, it is evident that
there will be no lack of interesting
addresses and that an unusual num-
her of important questions will be
s0resented for discussion. Decided diff
ferences of opinion exist on certain
subjects and some live, snappy debates
may be expected.
Everybody knows that waterways
are very much less used in the Unit
ed States than they are in Europe.
Mai. Gen. Lansing H. Beach, Chief of
Engineers, U. S. Army, has some very
positiye views as TO the reasons 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 ben
eft of waterways and water transpor-
tation which are included in the
Transportation Act. Under one of
these provisions there has been Great
ed the Division of Inland and Coast
wise Waterways Service, of which
Brig. Gen. w. D. ConnOr is Chief.
Among other things this division has
charge of the Government Barge Lines
on the Mississippi and Warrior Riv-
ers 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 use and re-
port on their performance is awaited
with most interest. Gen. ConnOr's ad-
dress will be illustrated with moving
pictures.
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
into the hands of a single committee,
which is to be composed of thirty-five
members.
1t seems there is still to be a Riv-
ers and Harbors Committee, although
it viii not frame Rivers and Harbors
Bills. Hon. S. Wallace Dempsey, NJ.
c., whose home is at Lockport, ~ 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 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 a new Depart
ment of Public Works and others the
appointment of Waterways Commits
sion. some OIL lue tuNOCdlSS VI luS0S
two plans want to take away from
Congress the power to decide what
Should be done and from the Army
Engineers the execution of the works
that are ordered. Others believe that
Congress should outline q general
plan and then turn over a lump sum
each year to the Army Engineers to
be expended according to their judg-
ment.
There is a general 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 method
OF dealing with the improvement of
rivers and harbors. If press reports
Of addresses made by President-elect
Harding are correct. he believes a
change is desired 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.