RIVERS 67 



in the present policy of the railway companies 

 with reference thereto; or by means of com- 

 petition by independent or local companies. 



It must be remembered, also, that no interests 

 inimical to the public welfare should be allowed to 

 acquire permanent control of the stream banks. 

 Facilities for ready and economical approach are 

 practically as important as the channels them- 

 selves. 



River transportation is not usually antago- 

 nistic to railway interests. Population and pro- 

 duction are increasing rapidly, with correspond- 

 ing increase in the demands made on transporta- 

 tion facilities. It may be reasonably expected 

 that in the evolution of the transportation busi- 

 ness, the rivers will eventually carry a large part 

 of the freight that does not require prompt de- 

 livery, while the railways will carry that requiring 

 expeditious handling. This is already foreseen 

 by leading railway men; and its importance to 

 the farmer is such that he should encourage and 

 aid, by every means in his power, the movement 

 for large use of the rivers. The country will pro- 

 duce enough business to tax both streams and 

 railroads to their utmost. 



