Evening star., 1925-11-10

Sentiment in favor of a unified
system of development for American
waterways was aroused by Secretary
Hoovers address before u conference
of agricultural and civic associations
at Kansas City. Opinions expressed
since that time indicate the general
belief that such development is
needed for increased population and
that there is no necessary COmpeti-
ton between the railroads and the
proposed greater waterways.
THE railroad executives" advises
the st. Louis Post-Dispatch. must
get rid of the absurd notion that in
developing our rivers the Govern
ment will build a competitive system.
There can be no competition between
the railroads and rivers, now or
henceforth. The country will have
to utilize all it's transportation re-
sources, railroads. rivers, highways
and coordinate them into a colossal
system. Colossal is a big word. 1t
is advisedly used. 1t is the measure
of Hoover's vision. Here is no plea
for this or that stretch of river i'm
provement. The day of piecemeal
projects is passed. The dull, waste
full program of pittances is done for.
Our future Is on the water--on our
inland waters" The Post-Dispatch
also cites the support of waterways
by the Association of Manufacturers
and declares: THE cause of the
rivers has needed above all things
the support of an intense and prac-
tical public sentiment. The enlist
ment of business provides that senti-
ment."
The judgment that 'it is a big
question is also uttered by the Phil
adelphia Inquirer, which adds: IF it
is to he handled successfully it must
be in q big way. Few persons realize
the enormous extent of our undevel-
oped waterways. They should be
utilized. This does not mean antago-
nism between the systems of land and
water. What is needed is not compe-
tition but cooperation. 1t is a matter
of qualification that the problem is
being studied by men like the Secre.
tary of Commerce" Recognizing that
water transportation has been under
an eclipse" the Wichita Beacon re.
calls that before railroads became
efficient it was stimulated" but be
lieves that nov, with the population
growing, with production increasing
and with rates vexing the farmer and
shipper, there is need for expansion
And that expansion, continues Ine
Beacon, "can be accomplished with
out hurting the railroads"
Disconnected local river and lake
projects" are cited by the San Fran
cisco Bulletin as reasons given for
relative failure of water transport in
recent times, and it proceeds to give
special emphasis to Mr.. Hoover s
statement that I'VE have had great
battles over joint rates. but If we have
a real system of internal waterways
this problem will settle itself. for the
day will come when the railways will
be seeking them" Furthermore, the
estimated population increase in the
next 25 years is the basis for the
statement by the Bridgeport Post that
the gigantic nature Of the problem
involved in feeding, housing and cloth
ing such population staggers the
imagination" The Post declares that
Secretary Hoover's "foresighted pro
gram" with all the waterways linked
together in a unified whole" is a
sound idea, of immediate benefit for
the present and inestimable value for
the future
X X " X
"Our waterways" the Huntington
Herald-Dispatch remarks, "are among