The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-10-11
A MESSAGE TO CONGRESS
Resolutions Passed by the Rivers and
Harbors Congress.
THE CANAL SHOULD BE BUILT AT ONCE
So Declares the Congress. Resolution Of Con.
fiderce in President Roosevelt Ruled
Out as Not Germane. The
Congress Adiourns.
(By the Associated Press.)


Baltimore, Md, Oct. 9.-The National
Rivers and Harbors Congress adjourned
sine die today after adopting resolu-
tions embodying it's sentiments with re-
gard to Congressional appropriations for
the Improvement of waterways. Congress
was urged to take speedy action in the
canal.
The place of meeting for the next Con-
gress was not decided upon. Invitations
were received from Beaumont, Texas and
ST. Louis. Mo.
An incident of today's session was the
ruling out of resolution of confidence
in President Roosevelt, offered by A. r.
Smith, of New York, who asked that 1t
be adopted without reference to the COM
mittee. Objection was raised on the
ground that the resolution was not GER
name and it was referred to the COM
mittee, who failed to report upon it.
The resolutions are as follows:
Resolved, that this congress asserts
that the best development of our ma
tional resources demands the adequate
improvement of our Waterways; and
therefore it endorses and urges upon the
Congress of the Gnited States a liberal
policy in their Improvement, through
systematic and adequate appropriations
therefor. In equally unequivocal terms,
this congress deplores and condemns any
action which leads to the failure of river
and harbor legislation.
Resolved, that it is the sense of this
congress that the Improvement of rivers
and harbors is fully as important as the
work carried on by any department Of the
General Government, and for this reason
we urge that appropriations therefore be
placed upon such footing as will insure,
at all times, ample funds for vigorous
prosecution of the work; and to this end,
We endorse the system of continuing con-
tracts.
'.Resolved, that in the Judgment Of this
congress, all items should be excluded
from the river and harbor bill that do
not appertain to the Improvement of har-
bors and waterways for the purpose Of
water-Obrne commerce.
Resolved, that the wonderful prosper
ity Of our country is largely due to the
vast increase in our foreign commerce,
and that to advance our position, as a
great commercial nation all possible fa-
cilities must be afforded-deeper and
wider channels must be created to meet
the requirements of the modern steam
ships that have reyolutioniZed the COM
merce OF the world.
RESOLVED, that our great systems of In
ternal navigation by the lakes and wa
terways of our country besides being so
essential as great highways of COM
merce to the fullest development Of our
national resources are natural and ef-
fective regulators Of freight rates, and
we therefore urge their continuous and
systematic improvement, with liberal ap-
preparations therefor.
Resolved, that an executive commit
tee of seven be appointed by the presl-
dent of this congress, representing the
different sections of the country. who
shall have general charge of the affairs
of this congress, with power to convene
future meetings, and to perform such
other duties as may be necessary to carry
into effect the purposes and objects OF
its organization.
Resolved, that the foregoing resolu-
tions be formally submitted to the appro-
pirate committees of Congress at it's next
session by committee, consisting OF one
delegate from each State, to be appointed
by the president of this congress, who
shall be ex-offcio, member of the COM
mittee
Resolved. that we regard the con-
struction of an Isthmian canal as most
important and urge upon Congress to take
speedy action on the same"