The Washington herald., 1907-10-05

Memphis. Oct 4-President Roosevelt is
on his way from Memphis TO Stamboula
La, TO hunt bears and wild hogs.
He spent three and half hours in
Memphis this afternoon and delivered an
address before the inland waterways con-
vention. For the first time in its history
Memphis warmed up 20 the reception of
q Republican President within its gates.
Despite a drizzling rain which fell prac-
ticaIly all the time, his welcome was cor
dial, even enthusiastic. Six years ago the
late President Mckinley visited Memphis
on his trip 10 the Pacific Coast, and he
rode through streets densely lined with
crowds, who gave him scarcely cheer.
That, too, was after he had carried the
city IN the previous Presidential election,
the first time that Memphis ever gave a
Republican candidate for President a ma
sority.
Four years ago President Roosevelt
came here. and the reception accorded
him then was much similar 10 that given
TO his predecessor.
Gets Fine Reception.
His advent here. however, followed
shortly after the Booker Washington
White House dinner incident. and Mem
phis is unwilling to cOuntenance any so
cial mingiing of the races. TO-day's visit
Of the President followed some time after
the Brownsville affair. and whether on ac-
count of that. or for some other cause, the
reception accorded him was flattering. The
President reached here this afternoon at
river from Cairo. notwithstanding the rain.
Whsn he landed. a reception committee,
headed by Mayor James T. Malone, met
him and escorted him TO the new COM
press boat, the first time it has ever
been placed on the Mississippi.
There he pressed a lever setting in
motion the machinery which bound the
first bale Of cotton ever made on the
water. The cotton is brought TO the
river in bulk. and while being carried to
market is glnned and compressed.
This ceremony over, she President was
driven three miles 10 the auditorium,
where he delivered his address.
One Of the features Of the parade was
the escort Of old Confederate veterans.
every man Of them in uniform of gray,
carrying the Stars and Stripes,
VT. HOoseFeit's speech.
In part. President Roosevelt said:
Perhaps you VIII pardon my mention
ing that the first steamboat west OF the
Alleghenies was built by a Roosevelt.
my great-grandfather's brother in 1871
for the New Orleans trade, and IN that
year made the trip from Pittsburg 10 New
Orleans.
But from various causes river and
canal transportation declined all over the
United States as the railroad systems
came to their full development. It is our
business to see that the decline is not
permanent: and II is Of interest TO re-
member that nearly a century ago Presi-
dent Madison advocated the canalizatIon
Of the Mississippi
The people who live in the country
districts, and who till the small or
Snedium-sized farms on which they live,
make up what Is on the whole the most
Valuable asset IN our national life.
There can be Just as real progress
end culture in the country as in the
city; especially in these days of rural
free delivery, trolleys. bicycles, telephones.
good roads, and school improvements
The Valley Of the Mississippi is politically
and commercially more important than
hny other valley on the face OF the globe.
Determines the Future.
'sHere more than anywhere else viii be
determined the future Of the United
States. and. indeed, Of the whole Western
world; and the type Of civilization reached
In this mighty valley. -fn this vast stretch
Of country lying between the AUeghenles
and the Rockies, the Great Lakes and
the Gulf. VIII largely fix the type Of civi-
tiZation for the whole Western hemis-
phers.
Such being the case, and this valley
being literally the heart of the United
States, all that concerns It's welfare must
concern likewise the whole country.
Therefore. the Mississippi River and its
tributaries ought by all means to be
htilized TO their utmost possibility.
Facility Of cheap transportation Is an
essential IN our modern civilization. and
We can not afford any longer to neglect
the great highways which nature has
provided for US.
These natural highways the water
ways, can never be monopolized by anv
corporation. They belong to all the peo-
pie. and It is in the power Of no one to
bAhe llcn away
Affects Railway Rates.
wherever a navigable river runs be-
side railroads the problem of regulating
the rates on the railroads becomes far
Easier, because river regulation Is rate
regulation. When the water rate sinks
the land rate cannot be kept at an ex-
Eessive height.
Therefore it is Of national importance
TO develop these streams as highways 70
the fullest extent which is genuinely
profitable. Year by year transportation
problems become more acute, and the
time has come when the rivers really fit
to serve as arteries Of trade should be
provided with channels deep enough and
wide enough to make the investment of
the necessary money profitable to the
public. The national government should
undertake this work
Where the Immediately abutting land
IS markedly benefited. and this benefit can
be definitely localized, ] trust that there
will be careful investigation to see
whether some way can be devised By
which the immediate benefciaries NAV
pay a portion Of the expenseS-as is now
the custom as regards certain classes of
Improvements in our municipalities: and
measures should be taken to secure from
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