New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-05-19
PRESIDENT PLANS TRIP.
DOWN THE MISSISSIPPI.
Wishes to See Work of Inland
Water7cauS Commission.

Washington. May 1S.-President Roosevelt in
tends, If possible, next fall to make a trip last
ing three or four days down the Mississippi
River from some point in Middle Illinois or Iowa
10 Memphis 1t WILL If made be with the mem
oers of the Inland Waterways Commission, of
which Representative Burton. of Ohio is chair
man. The members of the commission, like the
president, will be the guests Of the Lakes TO- the
GuH Deep Waterway Association. President
Roosevelt will leave his summer home at Oyster
Bay in time to be at Canton Ohio. to attend
the dedication of the Mckinley Monument on
september 30. and the voyage down the Missis-
sippi River will if nothing prevents immedi-
ately follow that affair
The President has been strongly urged to
make the trip because of the opportunity It will
give TO make himself acquainted with the I'M
Portahce OF the work the Inland Waterways
SoHliiiSSlon has in hand. He recently received
an urgent invitation from several Governors in
various parts of the country, who referred to
'le great interest the President has taken in the
improvement of the Mississippi and its tribu-
tarles' believing that this Improvement would
soIVe many of the perplexing problems now at
tached to railroad transportation The invita-
tons were presented to Mr. Roosevelt through
D. L" Smith. president of the Business Mems
League of ST Louis.
IN reply to the invitations from the Governors
the president has sent to each one a letter
promising to make the trip unless something
unforeseen occurs to cause him to change his
plans. The following. addressed to Governor
Cummins of Iowa. is a copy:
Washington. May 1G 1907.
My Dear Governor: l have received the in
vltations kindly sent to ME through the Gov
ernors of Arkansas, Florida. Illinois, Iowa Kan
MS.t SaS. L2usiana' Maine. Missouri, Nebraska.
t>oIlh Dakota, Oklahoma Oregon. South Da-
kota, Tennessee. Texas and Wisconsin asking
me 10 accompany the Inland Waterways Com
mission Tor trip on the MiSSiSSippi So that T
may personally familiarize myself with certain
features of the situation which the commission
mas been appointed to consider. | deeply ap-
preciate these invitations Let me say a spe-
clai word Of appreciation of the invitations
which come from the Governors of Maine. Flor
IDA and Oregon, all of whom. although the
states or which they are Governors are not on
the Mississippi River. show their realization of
the enormous importance of improving this
great national highway because of the benefit
that easy and cheap transportation thereon
will mean to all the Union, and because they
believe that the improvement of the Mississippi
River and its tributaries will tend to bring
about the Improvement of the other navigable
waters of the country factors in commercial
and Industrial development and affording
one of the best possible methods of regulating
railway rates.
Others of the Governors who have written me
dwell upon the fact that the people Of the West
feel peculiar interest in the project of the i'm
provement not only OF the Mississippi. but OF
other nayIgable rivers fitted to be public high
ways of commerce. because they think that
such improvements will help toward the Solu-
tion OF many OF the problems attaching to rail-
way transportation. The basin of the Missis-
sippi taken as a whole. from the Gulf 10 the
Great Lakes from the Areghanics 70 the
Rockies constitutes the greatest agricultural
empire that men have ever cultivated. and an
equally great system Of water highways iF
needed 10 supply any inadequacy OF land car
riage for the products OF this region
Unless something unforeseen occurs TO make
me alter my plans ] intend To accompany the
Y n
on a three or four days trip at the beginning
OF next October down the Mississippi. from
some point in Middle Illinois or Iowa to Mem
rhis feel that the problems before the com
mission concern vitaly not only the people or
the Mississippi Valley but the people or our en-
tire country and anything ! can do 10 help
forward the rapid solution of these problems
and the proper utilization Of our great water
ways l am glad indeed to do. Very truly you'S
THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
Hon Albert d. Cumm.ns, Governor OF Iowa.
Des Mones. Iowa