The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-11-12
Congressman Richardson Wants
 to Utilize MusscI Shoals
ROULHAc AGAIN PRESIDENT
Forida's Governor Makes Speech at Chattanooga Meeting Showing the Value of Rivers In Secur-
 Ing Rates.

Chattanooga, November 11.--(Special)- Alabamians took prominent part in the meeting of the Tennessee River Improve ment association today. The association has never had a better convention than that which adjourned at o'clock this afternoon.
 In the wide territory represented. the character of men present the earnest determination to succeed and enthusiastic harmonious spirit the meeting outranked any other convention heretofore held.
 The approaching completion of the Col bert shoals improvement near Florence, Ala, the assured improvement of the mountain section through the Hales bar lock and dam, and the attention attract ed to the Tennessee river by the last named project made 1t apparent to ev- cry delegate that the dream of an open river was to be realized.
 Would Utilize MusseI Shoals.
 The most important feature of the afternoon session was the address or Congressman Richardson of Alabama, iu which he stated that he had bill now in the hands of the chief engineer or the government which provided for the establishment of an immense electric power plant at Mussel shoals on the Tennessee river in northern Alabama. Congressman Richardson's idea Is to erect the power plant and supply all the towns and small cities In North Alabama with electricity for lighting and industrial purposes at very cheap rate. The bill will be intro duced in the next session of Congress
 The practical speech of Senator Frazier pledging his earnest support of every feasible effort to add to Tennessee's value as A nayigable stream was received with delight by the assembled delegates. Sem ator Frazier's knowledge of the neeos of the Tennessee from his long residence in Chattanooga gives an advantage iii the senate which the Tennessee valley has not before had. It is recognized that added to the force of the present en- thusiastic workers in the national Con gress. his influence means much for river improvement.
 C,overnor Broward of Florida delighted the convention with practical speech or great value. His vivid illustration or the effect of water transportation by citing two towns in Florida, equally distant from Jacksonville, Deland on the river' though no boats are operating, with u rate of 40 cents, and Leesburg, off the river. with a rate of 72 cents, struck home to every delegate.
 Burton's Name Is Cheered.
 Congressman Ransdell of Louisiana, who is a member of the river and harbors committed also deeply impressed the con- vention with his practical talk. Ills ref t0 hot Burton of the rivers and harbors committee was loudly cheered, as was his earnest statement that no sectional lines were known in this great committed
 The addresses of Congressmen Richard son of Alabama Padget. Garrett, Hale and Moon of Tennessee were also prac- tical and pointed The unanimous deter imitation of the convention to demand a larger rivers and harbors bill was one of the notable decisions of the day. The people of the Tennessee valley are not opposed to navy. war, pension and irri- gation appropriations, according to their representatives at this convention, but they feel very keenly that the rivers and harbors appropriations are not In harmony with the expenditures In these other lines, nor in harmony with the de- mand of commerce. The determination to cooperate with the national rivers and harbors organization which holds great convention at Washington In January. was unanimously reached. It is believed that the Washington convention will mark new epoch in river and harbor ap- propriations.
 The annual election of officers occurred late in the afternoon. All the present oe- fcers were reelected, while large num- Der of additional vice presidents were add ed to the list. Judge Roulhac of Shelf field is president.
 The next annual meeting of the associa- ton will be held at Sheffield at a time to be appointed later.