The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-11-23
WANT TENNESSEE
 RIVER IMPROVED Big Convention is in Session in
 Decatur PROMINENT MEN ATTEND Believed That About $5oo,0oo VIII Complete Work Necessary to Get Over Mussel shoaIs-Judee
 Roulhac Presides.
PROMINENT MEN ATTEND

Decatur, November 22.-(SpecIal. )-The Tennessee River Improvement association met here today in annual session, Presi- dent Thomas H. Roulhac in the chair
 In responding to addresses of welcome, c. W. Chamblee of Chattanooga said that that city would build a lock in the river below Chattanooga, costing $15O0.- 0o0 President Roulhac made brief oral report saying there had been but little accomplished in the last year because congress had failed to pass a river and harbor bill. He thought, however. that the desired work on the Tennessee river would be accomplished within the next seven years Speeches were made by Congressmen Hale of Tennessee and Bankhead, Bowie, Burnett and Richard son of Alabama, and letters of regret were read from Senator John T. Nor gan and Gen. Joseph Wheeler. The session will continue tomorrow.
 The meeting was held in a large hall in the Cara Granda block and although the weather was threatening overhead and the earth sloppy under foot, caused by an incessant rain of last night, all the delegates were in the best of spirits and from their appearance and manner 1t was evidently that they came for bus mess and not on pleasure bent
 There are something like 300 delegates present from Kentucky Tenness, Geor- gia, Mississippi and Alabama. Among this number are included several con- gressmen, senators and many prominent business men from all towns contiguous to the river
 Prominent Men Present.
 Among the prominent gentlemen pres ent are the following senators and con- gressmen:
 From Tennessee-Walter P. Brownow Jonesboro; Henry R. Gibson, Knoxville: 1: Morgan c. Kirkpatrick, Huntsville; :; James D. Richardson. Murfreesboro; John W. Gaines. Nashville; L. P. Padgett, Columbia; J. w. Simms, Linden; R. A.. Pierce, Union City; M. R. Patterson, Memphis; E. w. Cormack, Memphis; W.. B. Bates, Nashville; ". c. Hurton, Wood bury; F. Ganett, Dresden; M. c. Butler. Gainsboro; N. w. Hale, Knoxville; J. A. Moore, Chattanooga.
 Kentucky-C. S. Blackburn, Versailles O. M. James, Marion; Vincent Boering, Louden.
 Georgia-A. S. Clay, Marietta; A. O. Baron, Macon; l.. F. Livingston, Kings: J. W. Maddox, Rome c. F. Tate, Jas per; W. W. Howard. Lexington.
 Mississippi-A. J. McLaurin, Brandon: H. D. Money, Carrollton; B. s. candler, Jr, Corinth.
 Alabama-John T. Morgan, Selma: E. w. Pettus. Selma: William Richardson, Huntsville; c. W. Taylor, Demopolis; A. A. Wiley, Montgomery; H. D. Clayton. Eufaula; s. J. Bowie. Anniston; J. H. Bankhead, Fayette; J. L. Burnett, Gads- den; O. W. Underwood, Birmingham.
 Will Ask for Appropriation.
 The association will adopt a resolution in the form of a memorial asking con- gross to make a donation for the com pletion of the work at Colbert and Mus cle Shoals. It has been estimated that this will necessitate an expenditure of something over half million dollars The condition of these shoals Is now such that for several months in the year 1t Is impossible for large steamers to pass through.
 In 1882 the cultivation of cotton in the valley above these shoals became so ex- tensiye that 1t was found necessary to have Increased facilities of transporta- tion, land the question of digging a canal around Muscle Shoals began to be talked of.
 Made an Appropriation.
 Congress made an appropriation of land for that purpose, and by 1S40 work had advanced enough to enable fiatboats to pass through the canal, but when the first steamboat attempted to enter the locks were found too short. Later breaks oc- cured and the general and state govern ments refused further aid and the work which had been done went to destruction. In the year 1876, however. the federal government made a donation and work was again commenced on another canal on a larger scale. From time to time since 1876 several donations have been made by congress until up to the pres ent day the government has spent $5,- 100000 on this work.
 Would Be Worth Millions.
 The completion of this work and the removal of these Instructions, which now exist, would be worth untold millions to the town and cities as we'll as to the great plantations along and near the mighty Tennessee river. But the people of these sections have but only recently awaken ed to their own interests and it has only been within the past few years that they have made any strong effort to open up great water way to the Mississippi. The river convention now in session In this city, is the second meeting of the kind ever held in Alabama Che first one was held in the city of Montgomery only a few days ago) and the eighth river con- vention fo be held in fha sor1fh