The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-11-03
MONTGOMERY ASKED
INVITED TO SEND DELEGATES TO
 WATERWAYS CONFERENCE.
Mayor Teague Refers Correspondence To W. F. vandfver Expressing Hope That This Section
 Win Be Represented.

A6oe AmAS SCCeAVs
 Win Be Represented.
 Mayor Teague yesterday received a letter from the chairman and secre- tary of the executive committee of the urging that Montgomery should be represented at the convention of that congress. which is to be held in Wash ington early in December.
 cordial reply, expressive of the interest taken in the subject of the improvement of waterways for the commercial upbuilding of the country. was returned to the letter, and the communication was referred to w. F. Vandiver, chairman of the Montgom- cry committee on rivers and harbors. with an urgent request that he arr range, if possible, to attend the Wash ington conference, in company with delegation of Montgomery business men.
 In view of the effort made to secure an appropriation for the improvement of the Alabama river, from Montgom- cry to the Gulf, the subject Is regard ed as very important one, and there seems no question that a delegation of Montgomerians will go to Wash ington a month hence to participate in the rivers and harbors conference.
 The National Rivers and Harbors Congress is an organization formed to promote the work. Tn every way pos- sible. of improving the waterways Of the country. No effort Is made to take up any specific improvement, or to lead the indorsement of the Con- gress to any particular work.
 The letter of the officials of the congress to the Mayor. urging that Montgomery should join iA the work of the congress in endeavoring to se- -t- At@ fz. rSry and harbor Improvements, is in full as follows:
 Executive Committee of the National
 Rivers and Harbors Congress,
 Cincinnati, O., Nov. l. 1906. Hon. W. M Teague, Mayor, Montgom-
 cry, Ala. My Dear sir:-Under date of octo- Der 25, there was mailed to you the formal call and invitation to the Ma tional Rivers and Harbors Congress convention. Washington, D. C.. Thurs day and Friday. December and 2. 1906, Arlington Hotel.
 We now address you to make spe- cial and urgent plea that a delega- tion headed if possible by yourself. be appointed to represent your munich pality.
 The work of the National Rivers and Harbors Congress should appeal to, and have the influence of, every
 
 ted on navigable waters or not, for 1t is devoted solely to arousing interest in and showing the benefit of inn proved waterways and harbors to all producers and consumers, wherever located in our common country, and whatever will benefit a community is worthy of, and should receive. the support and moral influence of that communitys municipal authorities.
 "The platform of the National Riv- CTS and H.rbors Congress Is the broad one of internal improvements, without regard to State. municipal or party lines, and on which the representa- tives of all sections and interests can meet, unite, and work together for the geenral god, and by such work i'm duce Congress to place river and har- bor appropriations on plane com mensurate with its importance to the commercial and economical welfare of the nation.
 "In view of the foregoing facts we sincerely hope you will take such steps as you may deem proper to have your city by it's municipal delegates represented at the convention.
 Assuring you that your delegates will be accorded every courtesy of the convention and given every opportuni- ty they may desire to take part in its deliberations, we are,
 ''Very respectfully yours, National Rivers and Harbors Con-
 gress. Jos. E. Ransdell. Chairman
 Executive Committee. y F. Ellison. Secretary"
 This letter was referred. after it had been answered. to W. F. Vandi- yer. chairman of the Montgomery Riv- CTS and Harbors Committee. in she fol- lowing communication:
 Montgomery. Ala. Nov. 2nd, 1906. MT w. F. Vandiver. Montgomery. Ala
 My Dear Sir enclose a communi. cation from the National Rivers anc Harbors Congress, of Cincinnati, which is self explanatory. In acknowledge ing the invitation, stated that 1t would not be possible for me to pre- sent. but that I would urge you as chairman of the local Rivers and Har- bors Committee, to head the Montgom- Nery delegation.
 You have so repeatedly and suc- cessfuly given abundant evidence of your appreciation of this vital ques- ton that I need not point out the ap- propriateness and desirability of your heading the local representation at the coming conference. and hope that pressure of private business will not prevent your acceptance of this place. Any assistance I can give you in nam ing the other delegates or in any oth- CT way. will be gladly rendered and as the congress will convene a month hence. I trust that you may find it convenient to accord the matter of & delegation your early consideration.
 Yours very truly.
 w. M. Teague.
 Mayor"
 The reply of the Mayor to Secretary Ellison of the Congress, in response to his le..-r of invitation, is in full as follows:
 Montgomery. Ala. Nov. 2nd. 1906. ''Mr. J. F. Ellison. Secretary, Execu-
 tive Committee. National Rivers
 and Harbors Congress. Cincinnati,
 Ohio: Dear Sir-'I have your invitation, under date of the 1st Inst. urging this city to send a representation to the National Rivers and Harbors Con- gress. which will be held in Washing ton. D. C., December 6-7, next, and kindly asking me to head the Mont gomery delegation. It is with the greatest reluctance and regret that I am compelled to decline your invita- ton, but it will not be possible for me to attend
 Montgomery, however. wll more than likely be represented. There is a local Rivers and Harbors Committee, of which MT. w. F. Vandiver. Presi- dent of the Alabama Agricultural As- sociation, is chairman. and I will press MT. Vandiver to attend, accompanied by other members of the committee, or such other delegates as he may select. This committee has labored indus triAnqlV in