Inland Waterways Commission facts for kids
The Inland Waterways Commission was a special group created in March 1907 by the United States Congress. President Theodore Roosevelt asked for it because the country was having trouble moving its goods and products. There weren't enough trains, and river shipping was being ignored.
This temporary commission lasted until President Roosevelt's time in office ended. However, Roosevelt was interested in more than just transportation. He was a progressive leader who cared about protecting nature. He wanted water projects to be used for many things, not just one. He also wanted a big plan for improving and controlling all the rivers in the United States.
Contents
Who Was on the Commission?
The commission included both elected officials and government experts. These experts had experience in related fields.
- Elected Members:
- Theodore E. Burton (from Ohio) was the chairman. He also led the United States House Committee on Rivers and Harbors.
- Senator Francis G. Newlands (from Nevada) was the vice-chairman.
- Senator William Warner (from Missouri).
- Senator John H. Bankhead (from Alabama).
- Government Experts:
- Alexander Mackenzie: He was the Chief of Engineers for the U.S. Army. His group had worked on federal navigation improvements for a long time.
- William John McGee: He was the secretary and worked for the United States Geological Survey.
- Frederick Haynes Newell: He was the first director of the U.S. Reclamation Service. This group helped manage water for dry lands.
- Gifford Pinchot: He was the first Chief of the United States Forest Service. This group manages national forests.
- Herbert Knox Smith: He worked for the Bureau of Corporations, which later became the Federal Trade Commission.
What Did the Commission Discover?
By the end of 1907, the commission had studied shipping on the Mississippi River and the Great Lakes. Some members believed the country needed a complete plan for water resources. They also thought a permanent group of experts should plan and build water projects for entire river systems.
Senator Newlands tried to create a permanent commission with a new law. Over the next ten years, people studied hydroelectricity (making electricity from water) a lot. Newlands wrote several more bills, but only a much smaller version became law in 1917. Most members of Congress thought Newlands's plan was either impossible or against the Constitution.
Three years later, the idea of a central water plan almost disappeared. Congress replaced the Inland Waterways Commission with the Federal Power Commission. This happened after the Federal Water Power Act of 1920 was passed.
President Roosevelt's Vision for Waterways
On March 14, 1907, President Roosevelt officially appointed the Inland Waterway Commissioners. He gave them a clear task: to create a "comprehensive plan for the improvement and control of the river systems of the United States."
Roosevelt explained that he was thinking about the country's overall needs. The federal government is in charge of navigable waterways. He noticed that private companies had focused on industries like mining and logging. But some of these resources were running out or being misused.
At the same time, the country's inland waterways had not received much attention. It was becoming clear that rivers should be seen and protected as important natural resources. Usually, projects to control waterways were built for only one purpose. This might be for navigation, making power, watering dry lands, or preventing floods.
Roosevelt believed it was time to look at local water projects as part of a bigger plan. This plan should benefit the whole country. It should consider all the ways rivers can be used. It should also bring together the ideas of everyone who uses water. He said that developing and controlling the nation's rivers was a huge task. But it was not too big for the government, especially since it promised great benefits.
Why Was the Commission Needed?
The commission was formed after many businesses in the Mississippi Valley asked for such a study. Roosevelt also noted that railroads could no longer move crops and manufactured goods fast enough. This was causing problems for the nation's business.
In the ten years before, production in the northern states had doubled. But railroad facilities had only increased by about 12%. It seemed unlikely that railroads could keep up with the growing production. Roosevelt said, "There appears to be but one complete remedy — the development of a complementary system of transportation by water."
The transportation problems mainly affected people in the Mississippi Valley. They needed help, and if their problems were solved, the whole country would benefit.
Rivers as Resources and Challenges
Roosevelt pointed out that rivers are important natural resources. However, they can also cause damage, like floods, which endanger lives and property. Some of the biggest engineering projects in the U.S. were built to control rivers.
Rivers carry a lot of dirt and soil. This sediment can clog the Mississippi River and cause floods in the lowlands. It also makes the river flow unevenly. Roosevelt noted that this sediment is made of the most fertile soil from fields and pastures.
He believed that any plan for waterways should consider:
- Controlling floods with forests and other methods.
- Protecting low-lying areas from floods and uplands from soil erosion.
- Understanding how water with sediment behaves.
- Building dams and locks to help navigation and control water flow.
- Using and controlling all running water for the benefit of everyone.
Roosevelt also said that a large plan for rivers must also consider how to develop other natural resources. He asked the Inland Waterways Commission to think about how rivers relate to all important natural resources. This was to help create and maintain successful homes for people.
Working Together for a Better Future
Roosevelt mentioned that any good plan for waterways should use existing government groups. These included the Departments of War, Interior, Agriculture, and Commerce and Labor. It should also involve state and local groups.
He also said that the plan should not cost too much money from the national treasury. The cost would be large, but the benefits to people would be even greater. He compared it to the $17 billion invested in steam railways at the time. That amount seemed huge, but it brought continuous profit to the people. Without it, the nation's industrial growth would have been impossible.
In closing, the President said that the commission's work would affect every part of the United States. Its plans should use the best modern knowledge of the country and its people. As the commission made progress, he would add more experts to help. He also asked that their recommendations be discussed with him before being submitted. The commission's report should describe the problems and suggest ways to solve them.
Commission Meetings and Activities
The commission held its first official meeting in Washington D.C. from April 29 to May 3, 1907. A second meeting involved a trip on the Mississippi River from St. Louis to the Passes (where the river meets the sea) from May 13 to May 23.
A third meeting and inspection trip took place from September 21 to October 13. They traveled on the Great Lakes, the Mississippi River, and the Missouri River. A fourth meeting was held in the capital starting November 25 to prepare a first report. The commission finished this report on February 3, 1908.
During these meetings and trips, the commission held many formal and informal sessions. Experts on waterways were invited to speak at many sessions. Most of these experts were from the Corps of Engineers. Outside of formal meetings, the commissioners spent a lot of time studying waterways. Some commissioners also inspected other rivers like the Columbia and Sacramento. They also gathered data on canals and water transportation. Many commissioners attended conferences about waterway development.
At one session, General Alexander MacKenzie was asked to prepare a list of laws and ideas about water power, especially making hydroelectricity. Later, the commission sent a letter to President Roosevelt asking for a meeting about protecting natural resources. This led to the first Conference of Governors. A committee was also formed to talk more with the President and prepare a first draft of their report.
The Commission's Report
The Inland Waterways Commission's studies and discussions led to a detailed report. This report included:
- Findings: Facts about navigation and other uses of inland waterways across the country.
- Recommendations: The commission's conclusions based on their findings.
- Inquiries in progress: Topics still being discussed.
- Appendix: A large section with additional information.
