The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-12-01
WATERWAYS TO
Be IMP PROVED
Rivers and Harbors Congress 10
Be Held in Washington
Next Week.
WILL IMPRESS CONGRESS-
Concerted Action to Secure Large
Appropriation SO That Freight
Rates May Be Lowered.

John A. FOX, Of Blytheviile. Ark, a
member OF tho executive committee OF
the National Rivers and Harbors Con
gress reached Richmond yesterday in his
itinerary OF the Southeastern States 10
arouse interest IN tho meeting 20 be held
at Washington. December 9Th and 7th.
Mr.. Fox called on President LeIgh. Of
the Chamber OF Commerce with a view
70 addressing a gathering OF the business
men OF Richmond, out Il was found i'm
practicable 70 get the men together on
Saturday. so after urging the Importance
OF a large delegation being present at the
congress next Thursday, he LETT FOR Wash
ington.
In an interview Mr.. Fox said: we arc
preparing TO hold the largest gathering
In Washington next week I'm the interest
Of improved rivers. and herbors that has
ever been held IN the history Of the coun-
try More than 10000 invitations have
oeen sent out and Chairman RansdeU and
1 have personally visited every commercial
centre in the country since November 1st
te"sng OF the work that has been done.
ana urging that large delegations be sent.
states thus fnr visited will send froro
N~---a ave 10 AAANN QeAtEaLeS. and come
here TO urge that Virginia be largely rep
resented Richmond should send at least
ten, and every town and city in the STATE
tnat Is interested In the Improvement OF
rivers or harbors generally should send
TWO or more representatives. The CON
gress Is n permanent organization com
posed OF commercial bodies from all over
the United States. and has for its mis-
SION the general education Of the public
as 70 the need for some continuous and
systematic method Of improving the
waterways by large and regular annual
appropriations OF not less than $4,000 90
Tor this purpose. BY assembling .OoO rem
iesehtauVe business men from all sections
OF the United states TO express themselves
III emphatic terms regarding the improve
heht or waterways upon a broader and
more intelligent basis. we feel that Co,-
gTess Will be impressed and take action
Men cannot come IN large numbers
from the far West and these States
which arc so close 70 Washington should
ne able 70 contribute largely to the e-a,h-
ering. Large delegations can do much
zoo 10 help their various sections by
discussing them generally with mon fr,r,
eisewh here and thus help 70 WELD an OF
these interests into strong force This
Is perhaps, tho most Psychological mo-
ment that has ever presented itself for
action along this line no o-anirs~ ~
better relations with the South American
countries. the undertaking OF the Panama
Canal. the uncomfortable railroad rate
question and the congestion OF frelehts.
al point TO the need for Adequately i'm
proved waterways and harbors Water
rates are Just one-sixth OF rail rates
ana IN many instances much less. The
average railroad rate IS rs mills nor
ton per mile in the Unitod States: on
the Great Lake tho rate is $500 OF one
mill; on the Ohio River. 32-IO1 Of one
miil. and on the Mississippi River one
mill Then. too. according to Mr.. James
J. Hi, the ordinary freight train or1y
travels twenty-fOur miles In twenty-four
hours There are $4,000 miles Of navi-
gable rivers In the Ugited States which
could be made servfceahie as FREIGHT
carriers and rate regulators for $500. 900. 70
600; and $4,000. 900 annually for ten years
VIII take care OF these while s.. 600 600 r.
600 would be required 70 build sufficient
railroads TO take care Of the present con-
sestion. hone an OF the cities in Viz
ginia viii send one delegate at least. and
] hope that this city will send ten by
all means. leave tonight FIR Wash
inFton tn prepare for the big gathering.
having ended here a tour Of 3 600 miles
In the interest OF this meeting since Oc-
tober 18th"