Jasper County Democrat, Volume 10, Number 48, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 February 1908 — MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT [ARTICLE]

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Vast Possibilities of the River Systems Ihb of the Country Pointed Out ' to Congress. On Wednesday President Roosevelt sent a short special message to congress dealing with Inland waterways, together with a preliminary report of the Inland waterways commission. The president points out the vast possibilities of the river systems of the country, which he says are better adapted to the needs of the people than those of any other country, yet the rivers of no other civilized country are so poorly developed. Running parallel with the possibilities of the rivers, as freight carriers the president points out their possibilities for purposes of power and Irrigation which he says are no less Important. He contends the all three purposes can be served without Injuring either. In this connection the necessity of guarding against the possibility of private monopolies controlling the water power to be developed Is pointed out A plea for a systematic plan to stop the waste In natural resources Is urged, based qb the commission’s report