Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-07-23
AID FOR THE RIVER
OF the National House to
be Here on Tour of Inspection
Latter Part OF Next Month.
FROM ST. LOUIS TO ST. PAUL
To See What Improvements Are Need
ed to Make the Mississippi as
Valuable as Possible.

Hon. Thomas E. Burton, chairman
of the rivers and harDors committee
of the house of representatives has
informed Thomas Wilkinson of Bur
lington, president of the Upper Mis-
sissippi River Improvement associa-
ton, that his committee viii make
an inspection of the river from St
Paul TO St. Louis during the month
of August, beginning about the 25th.
Accordingly the following circular has
been sent out from the Office of Sec
rotary Boswell of the River Improve
ment association:
To enable us 10 achieve the results
we are striving for through our as
ISOLATION, every point should be made
clear to the committee. Therefore.
all shippers. civil and business men s
organizations, citizens and the press
in every town and city along the line
of the upper river should at once unite
in taking active steps toward TeCeiv-
ing the committee. extending every
possible courtesy and attention. and
giving to it all desired Information
tending toward the permanent i'm
proyement of the upper Mississippi
river. Also in demonstrating the eff
feet of water transportation on the
rates of freight by rail, showing it
to be most effective, permanent and
beneficial TO all lines of commerce.
Also keep in view the relation of the
Mississippi river to the Panama canal.
and its great Importance to the com
merce OF the five great states which
We represent.
First Visit From Congress.
This is the first time in the history
of our country that committee from
congress has deemed it important
enough 10 inspect this most valuable
artery OF commerce. The act gives
color to the belief that better attention
will be given to the importance OF
the upper river in the future than has
been done heretofore. Much will de
pend, however. upon the impression
obtained by the committee while on
this trip.
Every member is requested to give
his personal and earnest attention to
this matter. as we'll as the widest pub
Lefty to the subject of this letter.
Make its contents and purport known
to the press, and to every organization
OF business men. city councils, county
civil organizations and all shippers as
we'll as others Interested. Invite CO.
operation of all for the purpose of ac-
complishinG the ends we have in view.
1t may be accepted as true, that this
tour of inspection by the rivers and
harbOrs committee of the Upper Mis-
SsSippi river, is d direct result of the
organization of the towns and cities
on the Upper Mississippi river, rep
resented in the Upper Mississippi Riv-
cr Improvement association. Also. OF
the representations and earnest solic-
itations of the special committee
which was appointed by this associa-
ton and sent to Washington during
January of the present year.
Welcome to Visitors.
You are respectfully urged to take
an active interest in the proposed tour
OF the rivers and harbOrs committee.
1t will contain many eminent men
whom it will be our pleasure to re
ceive and entertain. Have your peo-
pie ready to give them a hearty and
cordial reception at each stopping
point, and impress upon the members
your great interest and that of the PEG
pie of this great middle west, in the
question of the permanent improve
ment of the Upper Mississippi river.