The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-10-28
Largest Yet Held in Session
in New Orleans.
PROMINENT DELEGATES
Appeal Will Be Made to Federal Gov.
eminent for Aid in Work Of Lcvee- z
Ing Both Banks Of the Missis>
slppi at Maximum Grade,
(By Associated Press.l


NEW ORLEANS, La, Oct. ?7,--Re-
solved TO appeal to the Federal govern
ment for adequate aid to lcvce both banks
OF the Mississippi River and to maintain
ouch lcvecs at maximum grade, thereby
making possible the reclamation and pro-
lection Of the allnEial lands and improv-
lng navigation. the largest and most In
fluential lcvee convention yet held In the
valley convened here to-day, when Presi-
dent Charles Scott called the Interstate
Mississippi River Improvement and Leyee
Association to order. 40
The occasion was made notable one
by the direct announcement by the PtN r.
dent Of the United States Of his sympa my
ton proposes to nauguratc The dele
gates represented fifteen States Of
the Mississippi and Ohio Valleys, and In
cluded Governors. Senator'S. members OF
Congress- high railroad officials and rep
resentatives Of commercial exchanges and
levee boards. In calling the convention
to order President Scott defended the
levee system and urged the constitu-
tionality, the experience and the COM
inercial and military necessity of govern
ment charge Of the work. Mayor Capde-
vielle and Governor Heard made adj
dresses Of welcome Charles Scott was
elected permanent chairman OF the con-
vention and John W. Bryant. OF Louis
lana, and w. a. Evetman, of Mississippi,
as secretaries. and a committee on reso-'
utions. composed of two delegates from
zach State represented and ten at large,
we're provided for.
LETTER FROM PRESIDENT.
Before the convention took recess
Chairman Parker, Of the committee on
arrangements. read a letter from Presi-
dent Roosevelt, which aroused much en-
thusasm.
The President wrote:
MY Dear Mr.. Parker,-Permit me.
through you, to express my very great
interest in the work of the Interstate
Leveo Convention. Exactly as ! have
taken keen interest in irrigation in the
arid regions. so feel that the move
ment for thoroughly protecting the Mis-
sissipp lowlands by lcvees Is one OF
importance to the whole country. no less
than 10 the people Immediately adjoining
the great river I wish all success to
your convention and shall follow Its pro-
cecdings with close attention.
Sincerely yours.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
When the letter had been read Murray
+ Smith, of VIcksburg, offered the fol
lowing resolution, which was unanim ously
adopted:
4 Resolved. That the thanks Of the peo-
pie of the Mississippi, Valley are hereby
rendered TO President Roosevelt. through
This convention. for his manly and pa
friotic letter endorsing the purposes for
which this convention has been called to
witness the dceping and improving the
channel of the Mississippi River and the
protection OF the vast area OF alluVlal
and fertile territory along It's banks from
devastation by floods. thereby conserving
md facilitating the vast and growing
Interstate commerce already Transacted
through the medium Of great railroad sys-
TENS behind the levees. fa
Resolved further, That the chairman
and secretary OF this convention be re-
CURED to wire these resolutions to tho
President.
The convention took recess until s
=. NJ.
At tho opening OF the night session
Judge n. c. Blanchard. OF Louisiana,
spoke, urging government control OF the
levees.
SECRETARY WILSON.
Secretary Of Agriculture James Wilson.
following Judge Blanchard, was welcomed
with great cordially. He said the ques-
ton of government control Of the lcvees
was new ono 10 him. It Interested him
deeply. and the people of the lower val
ley had MS deepest sympathy ~ Pu's
Ing It,
The Secretary spoke for the new policy
the government had adopted in the mat
ter of irrigation in the West, He urged
the imperative necessity Of forest preser-
walton and Of dam construction for the
dual purposes. of aiding agriculture and
reducing the volume Of water poured
through the great river,
Congressman j. u. Randell followed
Secretary Wilson.
When Mr.. Randell concluded President
Scott announced the committee on reso-
lhtions, with General r. c, CatcNinss, Of
Mississippi, as chairman, and meubers
from the following States represented IN
the convention: Indiana. Ohio. Pennsyl-
yanja, Illinois. Mississippi Missouri. Ar
kansas, Tennessee, Kentucky, New York.
Alabama California. Texas, Georgia ana
Louisiana,