The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-12-07
DON'T EXPECT MUCH
WARNING ISSUED BY UNCLE JOE CANNON,
Hundreds of Delegates To NrtlOnaI Rivers and HarbOrs Congress Crowd Washington Seeking Increased Appropriations
 For Waterway.

Washington, Dec. 6--Nearly thous- and delegates are in Washington in attendance on today's opening session of the Natioal Rivers and Harbors Congress.
 The object of the convention is to secure an annual appropriation of $5o,- 900. 900 from Congress for systematic
 work in the improvement of the na- tion's waterways.
 Representative Joseph E. Ransdell of Louisiana. who hase made a tour of
 10000 miles around the country since the last session of Congress in behalf
 of the rivers and harbors movement, will report to the convention that he
 has found sentiment to be strongly in favor of a vigorous prosecution Of
 waterways improvement as remedy for the wholly inadequate transpor- tation facilities now afforded by the
 railroads" At the morning session. which was called to order by H. D. Boulder of Cleveland. President of the Congre ss. Speaker Cannon warned the deleg ates not to expect too much from Congress, flor" he said, "too much cannot be done at one time. Do the most important thing first and concentrate upon 1t and then take up the next most important thing"
 Representative T. J. Ransdell of
 
 as chairman of the Executive Commit tee. At the afternoon session the prin- cipal features were me report of com mittees on reorganization, the an nouncement of the Committee on Nomi- nations, Resolutions and the selection of presidents of the Congress.
 Speeches were made by John Barrett American Minister to Colombia, who spoke on the relation of the internal Improvements in the United Staes to the Panama Canal; W. G. Sterrett of Dal- las, Texas, and ex-Senato- Berry ot Arkansas; J. W. Porch of New Orleans, spoke, in the absence of ex Governor Blanchard of Louisiana. who could r ot attend.
 In it's report the committee on re- organization recommended the discon- tinuance of the Executive Committee and suggested as officers of the Con- gress the following: A president. one ce-president from each State and Ter ritory represented in the convention to be named by the delegates; a Fcretary l and treasurer, which offices may be held | by one person. ...... It also recommended board of di- rectors to consist of a president sec retary of the congress and not less than twenty members selected accord ing to geographical divisions of the country. the president to be chairman or the board, The cornittee also recommended: Tt shall be the duty of the board to prose- cure the work of securing regular and increased annual appropriations for in- | ternal improvements of the country without regard to particular localities or projects and to aid in the moulding of public sentiment in favor of such a movement .-:..:- "The board is further charged with the duty of increasing membership in the congres of trade, commercial and waterway associations. corporations, firms and individuals and to formu- late and call meetings of the congress at such times as may be deemed neces- sary."
 The congress tonight elected officers as follows: President, Representative Joseph E. Randsdell of Louisiana, secretary and treasurer, J. F. Ellison, | Cincinnati.
 Among the board of directors are: F. J. Dale, Fayetteville. N. C.; w. D. stillman, Savannah, Ga; N. J. Sanders. New Orleans; s. W. S. Duncan. Dal- las, Tex John I. Vance, president O. | V. I. Association, Columbus, Ohio; John A. Foy, Blytheville, Ark; M. T. Bryan, Nashville. Tenn; T. G. Bush, Birmingham, Ala.