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Show Chapter 14 Inland and Intracoastal Waterways TRANSPORTATION IS ESSENTIALLY a service industry. Its vital importance to agricul- ture, industry, communication, travel, and na- tional security is properly measured solely by the extent to which it serves those needs adequately at the lowest possible cost. There are certain parts of the transportation job which waterways can perform better and cheaper than any of the other transport forms. It follows that our poli- cies for development and regulation of waterways should be aimed constantly toward promoting their use for these specific purposes for which they are best adapted. The intent of Congress that the inherent ad- vantages of each mode of transportation be recog- nized and preserved is clearly stated in the dec- laration of policy in the Transportation Act of 1940, as follows: It is hereby declared to be the national trans- portation policy of the Congress to provide for fair and impartial regulation of all modes of transporta- tion subject to the provisions of this act, so adminis- tered as to recognize and preserve the inherent ad- vantages of each; to promote safe, adequate, eco- nomical, and efficient service and foster sound economic conditions in transportation and among the several carriers; to encourage the establishment and maintenance of reasonable charges for trans- portation services without unjust discriminations, undue preferences or advantages, or unfair or de- structive competitive practices; to cooperate with the several States and the duly authorized officials thereof; and to encourage fair wages and equitable working conditions; all to the end of developing, coordinating, and preserving a national transporta- tion system by water, highway, and rail, as well as other means, adequate to meet the needs of the commerce of the United States, of the postal serv- ice, and of the national defense. All of the provi- sions of this act shall be administered and enforced with a view to carrying out the above declaration of policy. Importance of Water Transportation The historical policy of the United States, as of other leading civilized countries, has been and is to develop and maintain its waterways in order to promote its commerce and industry, and its military strength and defenses. Economically developed navigable water, accompanied by low-cost shore handling facili- ties, is frequently the cheapest mode of transporta- tion of bulk raw materials and heavy commodities basic to agricultural and industrial production. Industry, and population dependent upon indus- try, locate and grow where low-cost transporta- tion is available. Herein lies a main reason why so many large cities and industrial centers, in the United States and all over the world, are located on navigable water. Both water and land transportation are vital to the maintenance and growth of the Nation's commerce and defense. Sound national trans- portation policy, as well as sound national water policy, require that our navigable water resources be developed and used to the fullest economical extent. The United States has one of the most highly developed systems of air and land transportation (railroads, highways, pipelines, and airways) of 197 |
