Evening star., 1901-10-10
TO IMPROVE WATERWAYS.
River and HarbOr Convention Ask
Congress to Be Liberal.

River and HarbOr Convention Asks
Congress to Be Liberal.
The national rivers and harbors congress
which had been In session in Baltimore
adjourned sine die yesterday after adopting
resolutions embodying it's sentiments with
regard to congressional appropriations for
the Improvement of waterways. Congress
was urged to take speedy action in the
matter Of the construction of an isthmian
canal.
The place of meeting for the next con-
gress was not decided upon Invitations
were received from Beaumont, Tex, and
ST. Louis, Mo.
An incident of yesterdays session was the
President Roosevelt, offered by A. r. Smith
of New York, who asked that it ne adopted
without reference to the committee Oh.
lection was raised on the ground that the
resolution was not germane, and it was
referred to the committee, who failed to
report upon It,
After the adjournment the members took
an excursion to Annapolis and other points
on the Chesapeake bay, and were tenderei
banquet on board of the steamer.
The resolutions are as follows:
Resolved That this congress asserts
that the best development of our national
resources demands the adequate improve
ment of our waterways, and, therefore, 1t
indorSes and urges upon the Congress of
the United States liberal policy in their
Improvement through systematic and ade-
quate 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 1t 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 therefor be
placed upon such a footing as will insure,
at all times, ample funds for vigorous
prosecution of the work, and to this end we
indorse the system of continuing contracts
Resolved That in the judgment of this
congress all items should be excluded from
the river and harbor bill that do not ap-
pertain to the improvement of harbors and
water ways for the purpose of water-borne
commerce.
Resolved. That the wonderful prosperity
Of our country is largely due to the vast in
crease in our foreign commerce, and that
to advance our position as great CONNER
cial nation all possible facilities must be af-
forded-deeper and wider channels must be
created to meet the requirements of the
modern steamships that have revolutionized
the commerce of the world.
Resolved, That our great systems Of in
ternal navigation by the lakes and water
ways of our country, besides being SO es-
sential as great highway of commerce to
the fullest development of our national re-
sources, are natural and effective regula-
tors Of freight rates, and we therefore urge
their continuous and systematic improve
ment, with liberal appropriations therefor
Resolved, That an executive committee
of seven be appointed by the president of
this congress, representing the dierent
sections of the country, who shall have
general charge of the affairs of this con-
gress, with power to convene future meet
ings 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 resolutions
be formally submitted to the appropriate
committees Of Congress at its next session
by committee consisting of one delegate
from each. state, to be appointed by the
president of this congress, who shall be
ex-officio, a member Of the committee.
Resolved, That we regard the construc-
tion of an isthmian canal as most impor-
tant, and urge upon Congress to take
speedy action on the same"