The Washington herald., 1907-12-05

Nineteen hundred and seventy delegates
10 she congress that believes it is sec
ond in Importance only TO the Federal
Congress, came and saw. and. although
they didn't conquer Washington yester-
day in three sessions. they left her reel
ing unsteadily last night. and ready for
cspitulation before to-morrow's sun van
ishes over Arlington and Alexandria
This convention. which has been called
TO urge upon the Federal Congress the
need of spending a few millions each year
on the Improvement Of the nations wa
terways. viii not end its work. as one
speaker declared until the desired result
Is in sight.
All their work. all the addresses deliv-
cred by members and invited guests. look
TO this one end-the expenditure OF
enough money by the Federal govern
ment to adequately improve the natural
water highways Of the nation.
Comparisons which have always been
regarded as odious We're given in pro-
fusion to show that the rivers and har-
bors OF the United States are far inferior
10 those Of nations Of the earth which
have less populations and less of wealth
than has this great nation OF the Ameri-
can continent.
TO Hear Of the work.
Beside coming and seeing and helping
along in the conquest OF the Capital. the
delegates are coming here to be seen and
let others hear Of the work which they
SO earnestly advocate.
This last method OF allowing the Amer
lean public to become informed of the
advantages Of internal waterway i'm
provement is one Of the high sounding
notes by which the congress hopes 10
arouse that public sentiment necessary
to the appropriation of the many millions
they desire.
Beginning the first session of the con-
ventlon. which will end tomorrow. with
q reception and address by President
Roosevelt, the delegates listened TO mas
terly addresses by some of the great
minds of the nation. Secretary Root. JOS
cph RanSdell. a member Of the Congress
Committee on Rivers and Harbors: NJ
Jusserand Ambassador from France
10 the United States: Francis g.
Newlands. Senator from Nevada. and
chairman Of the Inland Waterways Com
mission. and Martin A. Knapp. chair
man Of the Interstate Commerce Com
mission. all spoke of the great work of
which this convention is but the first and
necessary manifestation.
All through the afternoon and evening
sessions the same spirit OF lasting de-
VOtiOn 10 this one end-imprOvement of
waterways-was the keynote for many
addresses by delegates and others. The
addresses Of yesterday dealt, for the most
part, with the need of waterways in this
country-the waterways Of other nations
TO the south and TO the east of the United
States, and to the several phases of this
question. such as the preservation of nat
ural resources, on which rivers them
selves depend for their very existence.
Same General Tenor.
To-day the same general tenor will be
recorded in the remarks Of the speakers
and while several governors of States
ject will be made. there will enter into
the convention another and, perhaps. lit
tie discussed side of transportation. w
w. Finley, president OF the Southern
Railway. and James J. Hill. president Of
the Great Northern Railroad. will talk
TO the delegates upon the relations be-
tween the waterways and railways. from
an economic standpoint.
The session last night was enlivened
almost at the end by the remarks of Col.
Goodyear. of Georgia. who seemed to
strike the most popular chord of the
whole day when he said;
Il belong to two sections Of this coun-
try. I have listened to-day to speeches
made by men from the North, from the
Continued on PnUe y Column