Jasper County Democrat, Volume 13, Number 3, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 April 1910 — BURTON OPPOSES WATERWAY BILL [ARTICLE]

BURTON OPPOSES WATERWAY BILL

Senator Files Minority Report On Rivers and Harbor Bill. REFORM IN METHOD ADVOCATED Contends Smaller Number of Projects Should Be Attempted and Pro. vision For Completed Improvements Made.

Washington, April 15. —Senator Burton of Ohio Thursday filed a minority report on the river and harbors appropriation bill in which he makes a vigorous attack on the measure as passed by the house and amended by the senate committee. “Provisions in the pending river and harbor bill,” says Senator Burton, “show the necessity for radical reform in methods and for more careful consideration in the selection of projects. The most glaring defect in methods as exemplified in the bill is the ‘dribbling’ policy of making partial appropriations for a multitude of improvements without provision for completion. A more rational system would make it desirable that instead of some 450 projects, the number included in this measure, a much smaller number should be providedand no other appropriations be made except for the maintenance of improvements already completed.” Senator Burton objects particularly to_ the appropriation of $1,000,000 for the lakes to the gulf waterway, declaring, that “not only is this proposed apropriation in di: oct violation of an unfavorable report, but a survey is now pending with a view to the feasibility of an eight-foot waterway instead of fourteen feet, the depth asked. In addition to this, the making of an appropriation, conditional or otherwise, before a project is recommended orjidopted is especially objectionable.” It is generally agreed that if the pending bill were changed to conform to Senator Burton’s ideas,, that no legislation would be obtained at the present session.