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Show 404 Although finally adopted in 1917, the idea of a waterways commission already had an involved and informative history.63 For over ten years, Senator Newlands of Nevada had sought its adoption in one form or another. In 1907, he introduced an Inland Waterways Commission Bill.64 His proposal was ad- vanced again in 1910 as an amendment to the Weeks Forestry Bill, and in the 64th Congress, as an amendment to the 1917 flood-control legislation.65 Finally, in the 65th Congress the Senate Commerce Committee approved the proposal as an amendment to the 1917 River and Harbor Bill after it had been stricken in the House on a point of order.66 Originally, Senator Newlands had sought a development commission with an au- thorized annual appropriation of $60,000,000, for ten years. As adopted, however, the provision made no money available to the Commission to carry out the projects it recommended, giv- ing it instead the wide investigative authority encompassed in the foregoing quoted provision. Moreover, before being offered for vote in the Senate, the language was revised to read as fol- lows, the bracketed words having been added and retained in the bill as passed:67 Nothing herein contained shall be construed to delay, prevent, or interfere with the completion of any survey, investigation, project, or work herein or heretofore [or 68 In documented detail, this history is set forth in 56 Cong. Rec. 9831-9855 (1918). 94 S. 500, 60th Cong., 1st sess. (1907). 88 See 45 Cong. Rec. 8813-8818,8897 (1910) ; 46 Cong. Rec. 2587-2595 (1911). The latter proposal was defeated 29-32 after several Senators, including some of its supporters, expressed concern lest the House refuse to accept it and thus jeopardize the entire bill. 54 Cong. Rec. 4290-4295 (1917). In addition, it should be noted that a Senate amendment to the 1913 River and Harbor Bill, stricken in conference, would have created a river-regulation commis- sion consisting of four Cabinet officials, two Senators, and two Representa- tives to make investigations and plans relative to the use of water for navi- gation and other purposes. H. Rep. No. 1607, 62d Cong., 3d sess., pp. 1, 12 (1913). 66 Sen. Rep. No. 81, to accompany H. R. 4285, 65th Cong., 1st sess., pp. I, II, and see p. 6 (1917) ; 55 Cong. Rec. 4330-4331 (1917). 67 55 Cong. Rec. 433a~4331 and compare 55 Cong. Rec. 5508 (1917). |