The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1907-10-11
Presidents Trip Down Missis-
sippi Of Vital Import.
NATIONAL CONGRESS TO ACT
Big National Rivers and Harbors Con.
gress to Take Full Advantage of I'm
etus Given by Roosevelts History
Making Waterway Trip.

WASHINGTON. Oct. l0.--,presiden
Rooseyelt's journey down the historic
Mississippi River, his noteworthy ad
dresses at keokuk, st. Louis and hi'
hearty endorsement OF waterway dcyel
opment undoubtedly have made deeI
impression on the American people
That the trip will lend an impetus Il
consideration of the problem that is con
fronting the nation is beyond question
II will result without doubt in spurrinl
the country into activity in providing
for system of transportation that will
supplement the railroads. already over,
crowded and incapable OF handling the
immense increase in traffic
This activity will be given added i'm
petus in December, just on he eve OF
the assembling of the National Congress.
by the annual convention OF the Ma.
tional Congress by the annual conven-
tion OF the National Rivers and Harbors
Congress Captain J. +. Ellison, OF Gin
cinnati, its secretary and treasurer. has
just completed arrangements here for
the meeting on December 4, and O.
The convention will be held in the great
ballroom OF the New Willard hotel.
which has been the scene OF many i'm.
portant conventions and brilliant social
events. II was found necessary to en-
gage the largest hall in the District OF
Columbia because Of the promised at.
tendance, delegates from every state in
the union having already signided their
intention OF being present.
The convention will be one OF the most
important OF its kind ever held in the
United States. Invitations to address
the delegates have been issued to mem.
bers OF the Cabinet leaders on the floor
OF the Senate and House governors Of
many states and men prominent in bust.
ness life, and already acceptances are
beginning to pour in. There will be al.
most as many notables present as are
TO be found at national political con.
The meeting will be the fourth annual
OF the organization. For sew
en- years the National Rivers and Har.
bors Congress has worked to arouse the
public to the necessity for developing
the waterways OF the United States.
Several years ago it foresaw the conges
tion of freight traffic that last winter
practically isolated the northwest aud
left scores OF committees to freeze be.
cause Of the lack OF cars TO carry coal
to them. At that time the prophecy
was secuted. Today the public is awak.
ening to the need for more means OF
communication, and especially for a sys-
TEN OF transportation that will relieve
the railroads OF the heavier classes OF
freight.
In his speech at Kcokuk President
Roosevelt spoke plainly and emphatical-
ly OF his interest in and endorsement Of
the cause for which the organization is
working. In discussing the matter OF
the rivers he said;
Il feel that we cannot have too many
railroads, and that in addition to the
iron highroads Of our railway system
we should also utilize the great river
which have been given US by
nature. From a variety OF causes these
highways in many parts of the country
have been almost abandoned. This is
not healthy. Our people, and especially
the representatives of the people in the
National Congress, should give their
most careful attention to this subject.
We should be prepared to put the ma
tion collectively back of the movement
to improve them for the nations use.
Our knowledge at this time is NOT such
as to permit me to 60 into details, Or to
say definitely just what the nation
should do; but most assuredly our
great navigable rivers are national as.
sets just as much as our great seacost
harbors should be fitted to receive in
safety the the largest vessels of the
merchant fleets of the world, so by
deepening and otherwise our rivers
should be fitted to bear their part in the
Of our merchandise"
1t is to bring these facts to the at
tention Of the people and the Congress
of the United States that the National
Rivers and Harbors Congress is work
ing 1t has had the heartiest endorse
ment of the President before, and the