Evening star., 1924-12-12
WATERWAYS HELD
VITAL T0BUS|NESS
Should Be Co. o-0rdinated With
Other Transportation
Agencies.

In the statement of purposes pre-
sented to the President today by the
director of the National Rivers and
Uarbors Congress, which has been
meeting in this city, it is set forth
the claim that transportation con-
stituteS the foundation of the Nation $
past progress and present prosperity
and that it is self-evident that it's
future growth depends in large meas
urc upon the adequacy, efficiency ana
economy of transportation. IN con
ciusion the statement advocated full-
est possible development and use OF
What is described as the three great
agencies of transportation--railw
highways and waterways-co- -ordi-
mated on the basis of cooperation
and eliminating, in so far as possible,
all clements of hurtful competition.
Approve Economy Program.
While approving and indorsing the
tendency to reduce public expendl-
tures wherever possible, as a means
OF decreasing the burden of taxation,
il is set forth in the statement that
the congress insists upon wise dis-
rrimfation between constructive and
nun-constructive activities. 1t con-
tends that expenditures for water
ways are Investments in permanent
public improvements.
lhe delegation was Hedueu py IoI
mer Representative John III. Small of
North Carolina, president of the con-
Gress.
President Coolidge this afternoon
will formally receive in the blue room
uf the White House c. SimopouloS,
the newly appointed Minister to the
United States from Greece, on which
occasion the latter will present his
credentials and exchange Fluctuations
with the Executive.
Outlines Policy of Congress.
Members of the National Rivers and
HarborS Congress We're told last
night by Secretary of War Weeks
AIat the policy to be pursued by
rongress to whether or not any
more money shall be spent making
streams navigable," rests upon the
success of the Mississippi Warrior
barge line service. Secretary Weeks
spoke at Il banquet at the New Will
lard Hotel. the final event on the pro-
gram of the twentieth annual meet
ing of the congress.
Other speakers included Sir Esme
Howard, the British Ambassador;
Senator James A. Reed of Missouri
former Representative J. Hampton
Moore of Pennsylvania. who served
as POSTMASTER; Mrs. IZetta Jewell
Brown and Miss Belle Sherwin. presi-
dent of the National League of Wom-
en- Voters
War Sccretary's Views.
IF this demonstration proves a sue
cess, If the conditions precedent to
success are created; if the line proves
Il money maker" said the War Sec
retary, private capital will invest in
that particular service and we will
have demonstrated on that particular
river (the MississippD that our money
spent in developing it as transporta- =
tion facility has not been wasted. We
could then sell the line and place it
in the hands of private operators and,
with the money thus obtained create
conditions precedent to success on
other streams.
1T would not require many demon
stratfons to establish most of the con-
ult1ons precedent to success on all
other navigable rivers. At least there
would have been formed a basis upon
which private capital could embark
upon other rivers in the rehabilitation
of common waterfall carriers with
out the necessity of suffering the long
periods of financial losses which
would otherwise have been sustained
by them. if, indeed, they would have
attempted to create such conditions in
the establishment of successful line
Il can well understand the insistent
demand for the Enlistment of lines
on other rivers, ~ the proponents of
such enterprises Sbould wait patiently
until the success or failure of the
mississippi line has been demon
strated. If for no other reason, they
should do so in order to get the bene-