New-York tribune., 1907-12-07
PLEA FOR WATERWAYS
THE CONGRESS- CLOSES.
Broad National Policy of ImproUe-
ment Urged-President Thanked.

Washington. Dec, s.-An annual appropriation Of
at least s5o. .eo COO the Improvement and develop
r1ent OF the internal waterways of America is the
Eist of the recommendations of the Rivers and
Herhors Congress. which closed its sessions here
to-day No particular project advocated by the
convention. the recommendations of the committee
on resolutions which were adopted unanimously.
being that national policy for the Improvement Of
internal waterways be adopted by the Congress OF
the United States.
At the opening OF to-days session telegrams
read from Senator Perkins and Industrial organ
izatons and commercial bodies Of California III
viting the congress to hold its next annual meeting
in San Francisco.
In introducing John A Fox of Arkansas the
special director Of the congress President RansdeH
said that Mr.. Fox had spent the last wear in tray
elling over the country. and doing splendid
work for the congress. In his report Mr. Fox said
he had visited twenty-six states and ninety-n!ne
cities. given forty-four public interviews written
five magazine articles and delivered 15s addresses
nine OF which were before national organizations
He was satisfied that If the United States Con
gress was in possession OF the information which
he had presented the work of the congress would
practically have been accomplished. He urged the
appropriation by the association of $40 coo for the
continuance OF its work during the next year
colonel j. T. Ellison, secretary OF the congress
whom MI Ransdel characterized as 'one Of the
finest workers and organizers in the country" 1,re-
senied his annual report In which ne gave the ex-
ienditures on behalf OF the Of the congress I'm
The last year. The balance hand he said was
E.E2
J. Hampton Moore. OF Philadelphia chairman Of
the comnittee on resolutions, presented the Mat
form Of the association as the unanimous senti-
nent OF thirty-six states, and said that the com
Inttee requested the approval OF the report e., -ba
nope that It would receive the respectful consfdera
tion Of the national Congress. The report follows
After years consideration of the aims and ,,,r-
poses of the Rivers and Harsors ConpI4ss aa put-
~ hat lnd,
.tls american people have given them emphatic
Sied at. the national capital December 4 ! ana
d 1871 nearly two thousand delegates from thiriv-
seven states and territories representing Inc com
tnsrcla,, manufacturing. producing and consuming
unanimously OF the belief "
tirst-fhat profitable and successful commerce fs
absolutely dependent upon economical fransuortk
uon OF commodities and that the Importance OF
transportation Will increase with the growth OF
popaiatlon and the development Of the nations
second-That the railroads of the United States
AIa nov unable TO handle the business offered them
the business of the cofT 10 sa @ railroad authority
per cent within ten years willie m faciItt9Hs 80
henaling II by rail have been increased only ABOUT
~ per cent and as the railroads cannot be expected
In the near future 10 increase their facilities suf-
csay 10 Teeve o the a situation other means OF
-, ThraaIhat @ tMransPoTtation M Of heayy commodities
no country in the world has been So y bId !, 'iiar m
nature with watercourses as cur own and thai II
properly improved and connected by canals they
enormous Volumes Of resht thereby relieyinPPp @ shiPps th
congestion railroads furnishing chr2,
and safe transportation for the benefit producer
of the federal government toward waterways over
which Il rightly has supreme control should be
tofore that as; as result Of intermittent action
ago still far from completion; that appropria-
tons for rivers waterways and harbors have been
nuaiiy; that the last ten years they have aver
cent Of the average annual expenditures Of the
government. and that enough money should be
pf.vs.@ nd asnh VaaF fnr at la1C
years properly to improve the various rivers
@ snail he aen and On aproyG b the aTe
ment engineers and authorized by the Congress OF
the United States
THE RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED.
Therefore, Be it resolved by the National Rivers
tanning delegates Of every shade of opinion and
ssapsea foT pocy not for project 'ie iafio
FfrstEThat we earnestly urge the adoption by
PTehsnslys wasTwag PolsK ;n that IT, will provide for
Of the riVers waterways and harbors of our coun:
try, the Improvement of which Is justified by pres
ent and prospective benefits TO commerce.
secondnIhat at %h@g1 WI defss 50 q b % daf
Congress Of the United States the Importance of
the Immediate adoption of comprehensive plan of
waterway improvements. of the carrying of the
work by an adequate number oi engneerf & ana OF
the early completion of such projects as may be
Third-That cordially indorse the. action of
Presdsnt Roossve ID sPPohb bn Confident that hat
it's report will prove a source OF accurate and
Ina HE info the American people. we
further recommend that Congress enact such laws
as will make the Inland Waterways COMMISSION
nermauent and will provide il with necessary au-
,bortv for its Investigations and fecomme ndatlons
Four,l1-That this congress cordially thanks PreSi-
dent Roosevelt for the support he mas given 10 us
nrrposes nv speeches and ny ms treatment OF
sbe fet5biact i'm his recent message 10 congress
Fifth2Thaf We ask Congress 10 view the river
The apnropraton of money for the cufIenl eA-
,enzes of government. but An investment III per
ppasnent smprovem ments. bound to pay increasing
diyjdends from year TO wear. viewing these "a
,,,atoya .n this light Congress is fully Warranted
L, aufhorzine an annual expenditure besilInts a.
~. ,rassnf session of not less than one-tenlh oI
.be amount of money required for all the various
river waterway and harbor Improvements htLsau iI
niapn~d and anproved b. the engineers IN cIsiS
r hereafter planned and approved N If oIGcI ,nb
carried TO sDeedN cniiD
annyoor alton TO be not less than 800
opS Congress is further warranted IN a S ~ nrn
.hs xynendture of the money as neeneo tIi. III p
s9sins for the same II in excess or that
ebv bord Issue similar n ZIP ~
sop the huii6ne sf hs Paasn.a cara MI he snread