The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-12-06
JAMES J. HILL ON WATERWAYS Says Railroads Will Support Movement. BIG INCREASE OF TRAFFIC Scores of Congressman Attend
 Session of Convention. Notable Addresses Were Also Delivered by Governors of Many states
 and Prominent Men In Com-
 merciaI Life.
BIG INCREASE OF TRAFFIC

| Washington. Dec, 5.--A notable fea. | ture of the Rivers and Harbors Con. gress Convention now in session in this city, was tho address delivered today by James J. Hill. president of the Great Northern Railroad Company, who was introduced to the congress as q wizard of transportation and one of the greatest railroad builders in the world"
 MT. Hill created great enthusiasm among the 2,500 delegates bydeciar- ing that the railroads of the country would support cordially any proper plan for the development of the legit- innate waterways of the United States. l He produced figures to show that the traffic of the country had become so grea and was increasing so tremend- ously that 1t was beyond the physical power of the railroads to handle 1t. He made a most important and signif- icant statement of the attitude of rail- road men toward legislation which has | been directed against rail carriers in America and declared that all the rail. roads asked was permission to con- duct their business in a proper way under fair regulations and fair laws. l Notable addresses also were deliv- cred to the congress by Governors of States, and by other men prominent in political and commercial life. Among those present today at the sessions were scores of members of Congress. upon whom 1t is the desire Of the con- ventfon that It's Ideas be particularly | impressed. The convention will con clude its work tomorrow by the adop- tion of series of resolutions incor- porating it's idea that comprehensive national scheme for the improvement I of the international waterways of the country should be crystaiized. Mere Delegates Arrive. Quite 500 additional delegates were in attendance today on the National Rivers and liar l bors Congress. They arrived late yes, terday afternoon and last night from all parts of tho country.
 As a result. when the congress con vened. the great assembly room of the 1 New Willard Hotel was thronged. Sec- retary Ellison announced that while l thirty-three States were represented | yesterday, thirty-six states were rep- | resented today. and delegates were arr l irving constantly.
 Governor Dawson. of West Virginia, was introduced as the first speaker He said his State was particularly in- terested in the comprehensive import ance of the inland waterways of the country. The Governor referred partic- ularly to the resources of West Vir- Einia. the State being second in the production of coal and fifth or sixth In hardwood timber the great bulk of the coal has to find a market outside of the State, and if by water transporta- tion the State could save 10 cents a ton. 1t would aggregate s3.0o0.oo0 a year.
 "we have" he said. "the most of the best coal in the world. and more than 52.000 square miles more than Eng land. Scotland and Wales No other state in the Union would derivo greater benefit from comprehensive improvement of the waterways of the country than West Virginia"
 Governor Dawson referred briefly to such improvement of the rivers of West Virginia as already had been made and he said that if tho streams were improved further they would open to the world undreamed of resources and wealth and prosperity
 We are one people and have n com mon destiny" said he. in conclusion. We want nothing in West Virginia that Is forbidden to any other part of the country; but I say to you, gentle men, that we want to be ready for the Panama Canal when that great water way Is ready for us.''
 Governor Glen Speaks.
 Governor Glenn, of North Carolina, declared that the matter before this congress was the most important that had been approached in the last 100 years. Continuing. he said:
 "As Secretary of state Root said yes- terday, we have reached the bridge. I say to you that we not have reached the bridge. but we must cross the bridge this year.
 we demand the deepening of our rivers and harbors. We will take no denial We must have $500. 900 ,00O for the improvement of rivers and har- bors paid in sums of s50O00,0oo every year"
 Governor Glenn said that this Ma ton was the greatest producer of prosperity that ever was born since the dawn of creation.
 We have" said he. "a population of 90 900 900 people: we have unlimited resources. We have money circula- ton aggregating $2.733, ,000. 900: we produce 25. 900 900 tons of pig iron and 23O. 900 900 tons of coal annually Tn the South alone there are singing daily g. 900 900 cotton s7lndles. To my ear the music of these spindles is the grandest in the world"
 He called attention to the fact that last year the South had added S7s00,- 900 a day to the industries ot tho country. In North Carolina the man. ufactured products during the five past years was l05 per cent. and in agricultural products the increase had been SC per cent in the past five years.
 "We took" said the Governor "sec- ond place in the manufacture of cotton goods, being second only to Massa chusetts, and we were first In the man ufacture of plug tobacco. and we made SO many chairs during the mast year that every man woman and child in the country could obtain a chair to 'go way back and sit down..
 Governor Glenn said that the im- provement of the inland waterways Of the country would do much to solve the rate question. and at the same time it would mean much to the people of the country. He suggested that if inc harbors nf the country were ifn- proved properly. the great warships of America would be able to enter the harbors and thus he able efficiently to protect them in the event of emer- President Finley Talks.
 At the conclusion of Governor GIenn's address. he was given nota- ble ovation. President Finley. of the