The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-11-19
BIG PLAN FOR
GATHERING
NeWIands Says the
Problem Includes Rail
ways ia Its Scope.

PHILADELPHIA. Nov. 19.-Con-
gresham Bingham. of Philadelphia.
presided at the session of the water
ways convention, which opened here
today. After a welcoming speech by
Mayor Reyburn. the report of the com
mittee appointed to interest the Presi-
lent of the United States in the mat
ter of the improvement of eastern in
land waterways was read. The report
said the President indicated his pur-
pose to treat the subject broadly In
his coming message to Congress. The
following telegram was sent to the
President by the convention:
atlantic deep waterways conference
assembled in Philadelphia appreciates
your interest in the important question
of waterway transportation and sends
hearty greetings
Among the letters of regret was n
from Congressman Burton. chairman
of the Rivers and Harbors Committee
of the House of Representatives, saying
that while it is his desire not to con-
tinue as chairman of the committee he
will still take a deep interest in all mat
ters pertaining to navigation. and will
gladly assist the project under con-
sideration.
SENATOR Newlands spoke of the work
of the National Waterways Commission
appointed by President Roosevelt. and
said the commission doubtless would,
at an early date, take up the Atlantic
coast problems.
Continuing Senator Newlands said: THE
demand for national action as to water
transportation will include national action
regarding railway transportation. We
are onIy beginning to realize that three
quarters of the transportation Of the eoun-
try is interstate; that regulation through
the Individual States operating here and
there on sections Of such great systems
within State lines, is disjointed, Elusive
and Illogical; that complexity, confusion
and insecurity. both on the part of in
vestors and shippers, are results of the
present system, which permit such com
binations to resort to the State of least
restriction for the powers that enable one
administration in many States.
Co hdence in corporations has been
shaken both here and abroad said the
Senator, investors are alarmed and i'm
p%rovements absolutely necessary to the
~transportion OF the country are held up.
When Congress meets there will be bany
plans for relief, hut that body will never
take up this question in any adequate way
until Instructed by public opinion. We
should Immediately have a conference at
Washington devoted exclusively to the
TRANSFORMATION question IN its broadcast as
poets, and composed Of men expert in the
financing, operation and control Of trans
portation. including the Governors OF
States and members of public service com
missions. After full debate and delibera'
ton the country Will be astonished to fine
low few the points of difference are be
tween the transportation managers, on thu
one side, and the public on the other. The
nation and the States have knocked %
gether the heads of the railroads in sucf
fashion as to make them realize that they
are simply public agents and they will CONF
to such Il conference In a much more con
c~ilintory mood than heretofore. | believe
in constructive rather than in punitive oil
retaliatory action