The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-12-05
GOVERNORS TO
WATERWAYS
CONGRESS
Glenn and Dawson Land the
Scheme for Half Billion
Improvement.

WASHINGTON. Dec. 5.-Quite 500
additional delegates were in attendance
today on the national rivers and har-
bors congress. They arrived late yes
terday afternoon and last night from
all parts of the country.
As a result, when the congress con-
vened today, the great assembly room
of the New Willard Hotel was thronged.
Secretary Ellison announced tina While
thirty-three States were represented
yesterday. thirty-six States were rep
resented today and delegates were ar
irving constantly.
Governor w. NJ. o. Dawson, of West
Virginia, was introduced as the first
speaker. He said his State was particu-
larry interested in the comprehensive i'm
provement of the inland waterways of the
country. AS Henry Gassaway Davis, of
West Virginia, assembled the platform Gov
ernor Dawson paid him a cordial compile
nent. The Governor referred particularly
TO the resources of West Virginia, the
State being second in the production of
coal and fifth or sixth In hard wood tim
Der. The great bulk of the coal mas to
find a market outside of the State, and If.
bv water transportation, the State could
save ten cents a ton, it would aggregate
81. 900. OO0 a year.
I'VE have said he, 1.-The most OF the
best coal in the world, and more than
$500 square miles more thar England,
Scotland and Wales. No other State in
the Union would derive greater benefit
from a comprehensive Improvement of the
waterways OF the country than West Nir-
ginia."
Governor Dawson referred briefly to such
Improvement of the rivers Of West Vir-
glnla as already had been made, and he
SAID that II the streams were improved
further they world open to the world un-
dreamed of resources and wealth aud pros
perity.
We are one people and have a common
destiny" said he in conclusion. "We want
nothing in West Virginia that is forbidden
to any other part of the country; but ]
say to you. gentlemen. that we want to
be ready for the Panama Canal when that
great waterway is ready for US"
Governor Glenn of North Carolina de-
CARED that the matter before this Con-
gress was the most important that had
been approached in the last hundred years
AS Secretary of State Root said yester-
day. We, have reached the bridge. / say
70 you that we not only have reached the
bridge, but w must cross the bridge this
year. We demand the deepening of ou1
rivers and harbors. We will take no de-
nial. We must have $500, 600, 600 for the i'm
proVen1ent of rivers and barbors, paid In
sums of $50, 900. 900 every year"
governor Glenn said that his nation was
the greatest producer of prosperity that
ever was born since the dawn of creation
president Finley, of the Southern Rail
way, was introduced by Chairman Rams.
dell, OF the Congress. as one Of the dis.
tinguished railway transportation mana
gers of the country.
In conclusion. President Finley said: q
believe in the adoption by the general gov,
eminent of a broad and comprehensive plaf
Tor the Improvement of the rivers and har
bors of the country to be varied to COM
pletion as rapidly as the work can be don
advantlgeously, and by the adoption by
Federal and State governments OF suci
railway regulations as will involve tn.
minimum of interference with the opera
ton of economic laws consistent with thu
protection of buyers of transportation ant
the public generally from wrong"