Mexico Missouri message., 1907-10-17
FOR WATERWAYS
ADDRESSES AUDIENCE OF 5000
Men and Women In Jhl Alai cheen
~ Ne Declares the psepwater
Way q National Affair.

/. 81. Louie, Oct. 2.--His hair wet and
disarranged, and his collar and necktie
soaked by the rain which beat on him
during his ave-mile drive in an open
carriage, President Roosevelt spoke 70
an audience OF 5000. more than half
OF them women, in tho Jai Alai build.
ing "wednesday.
The president declared n the m.
TONS duty TO restore the MissIsaIpp,
river TO lite proper place az n great
artery OF commerce, and termed the
proposed deep channel 70 the gulf "a
national task" He warned againsa
plans which might "ertail reckless en-.
travagance or be tainted with Job,
berry"
He followed with the statement that
the Panama canal would be dug within
nve or six yeara more. and with ths
declaration that the United States
needs a great fighting navy"
President Roosevelt In his speech
reafirmed his belief that the Mlssis,
sippi river was soon to resume itm
place az one OF the nations great AT,
teries OF commerce of the country.
He declared II the nations duty to
do It's share in making a channel which
will accommodate the craft, and in
building the levees 10 protect II ana
the lands through which the river
flows.
He said that our world position de-
manded that we maintain n great fight.
Ing navy. our present one being ele,
mentary.
The president closed his address
with a strong plea for an interpreted
ton OF the constitution along lines de,
manded by the present condition Of
Industrial Capitalization. He upheld
the right of the nation TO control not
only interstate railways. but corporas
lions engaging in interstate business.
This he declared to be the greatest
economic question OF the times. He
contended this control was not tho
province of the individual states.
Goes After the Trusts.
He then gave more than half Of
the $500 words OF his address TO the
trust question, or, as he termed Il.
the problem Of regulating interstatoS
business.
OF the constitution and the govern.
ment's powers over interstate busi.
ness, the president said:
II believe that the nation has the
whole governmental power over inter,
state commerce and the widest dis.
erection in dealing with that subject,
of course under tho express limits
prescribed In the constitution for Tho
exercise OF all powers. such for ind
stance as the condition that duo pro-
cess of law shall not be denied. The
nation has no diFect power over thd
purely intrastate commerce, ever
where Il is conducted by the same
agencies which conduct Interstate
commerce." /
The president and the escort Of
governors and 81. Louis citizens rode
from the levee to the Jai Alai building
through a rain which commenced 4
few minutes after the arrival Of thd
presidential flagship Mississippi at thd
wharf.
The governors put up the tops Of
their carriages, but the president
would not have the top OF his car
riage, the first In the line raised. He
stood in the carriage. his collar un1
protected by his raincoat, and let tho
rain fall alternately on his silk hat
and on his head, which he repeatedly
barred as the throng along the route
chsered him. J
Gov. Folk, in introducing the presis
dent, ioked about the drenching the
parade got, and then in seriousness
turned to President Roosevelt, OF
whom he spoke as the ideal executive.
man whose principles result in obedl
fence 70 the laws and In equal rights
to all.
II introduce TO you" he said, in CON.
clusion. president Roosevelt, patriot
American and man." [
After the speech the president start
ed on his drive to Hotel Jefferson. the
place selected for the luncheon in his
honor and that OF the visiting govern,
ors. The plan for the banquet provided
for no speeches by anyone.
The presidents departure by tha
river, ut the foot OF Olive street. took
place at p. m. following ride along
| Washington avenue, Broadway and
Pima afraot IN the iaVRa