The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-06
James J, Hill Emphasizes Nt- ctssit for Waterways to
 Aid the Rail Carriers
RAILROADS WANT FAIR
 LAWS ID GOVERN THEM
Great Northern Railroad President Delivers Notable Address Before Rivers and Harbors Congress.
 Other Prominent Speakers.

Washington, December 5.-A notable feature Of the Rivers and Harbors con gross, now in session in this city, was the address delivered today by James J. Hill, president of the Great Northern Railroad company who was introduced to the congress as "a wizard of transporta- ton and one of the greatest railroad builders in the world
 MT. Hill created great enthusiasm among the 150O delegates by declaring that the railroads of the country would support cordially any proposition for the development of the legitimate waterways of the United States. He produced figures to show that the traffic of the country had become so great and was increasing so tremendously that it was beyond the physical power of the railroads to handle 1t. He made a most important and sig niicant statement of the attitude of rail road men toward legislation which has been discredited against rail carriers in America and declared that all the rail- roads asked was permission to conduct their business in a proper way under fair regulations and fair laws.
 Notable addresses also were delivered to the congress by governors of states and by other men prominent in political and commercial life. Among those pres ent today at the sessions were scores of members of Congress, upon whom 1t IS the desire of the convention that it's ideas be particularly impressed The congress will conclude it's work tomorrow by the .f., porating it's idea that comprehensive na- tonal scheme for the improvement of the inland waterways of the country should be crystalized into government legisla- tion.
 More Delegates Arrive.
 Quite 500 additional delegates were in attendance today on the congress They arrived late yesterday afternoon and last night from all parts of the country. As a result when the congress convened to- day the great assembly room Of the New Willard hotel was 1hronged. Secretary Ellison announced that while 8 states were represented yesterday, 36 states were represented today and delegates were ar irving constantly.
 Governor Dawson of West Virginia was Introduced as the first speaker. He said his state was particularly interested in
 
 inland waterways of the country.
 The governor referred particularly to the resources of West Virginia, the state being second in the production of coal and fifth or sixth in hardwood timber. The great bulk of the coaf has to find q market outside of the state, and if by water transportation the state could save 10 cents ton, it would aggregate $, coo a year.
 Governor Glenn of North Carolina de- clared that the matter before this con- gress was the most important that had been approached in the last 100 years.
 Continuing, he said: ''As Secretary of State Root said yesterday, we have reacbfd the bridge. I say to you that we not 1ny have reached the bridge, but we mast cross the bridge this year. We de- mand the deepening of our rivers and harbors. We will take no denial.1 We must have 900 for the improvement of rfvers and harbors paid in sums of 35O- 000,000 every year."
 At the conclusion of Governor Glenn's address he was given a notable ovation.
 MT. FinIey's Address.
 President Finley of the Southern Rail- way company was introduced by Pres- dent Ransdell, of the congress as one of the distinguished railway transportation men of the country. MT. Finley said ne was heartily in sympathy with the pur- pose of the congress. "I have epdeavored to consider,' said he, "the problem. not only as it effects the interests of property fntrusted to my management, but on d higher plane as problem of economies affecting the interests of the general pup- lie. Water transportation and rail trans portation largely supplement each other To a large extent the waterways are feeders of the railways. and the railways in turn are feeders of the waterways Not only in this country but in Europe as we'll there is general tendency to a division of traffic between water and rail carriers. In all countries, no matter how extensive their inland waterways may have been, we find that there has been room for the sI ccessful operation for rail- ways"
 Texas Man Talks.
 At the afternoon session Lieutenant Governor A. E. Davidson of Texas ad- dressed the convention with reference to the necessity of increased transportation facilities in his state. We have covered the state of Texas" said he, with railroAds. yet they are inadequate to meet ,our peeds We. therefore. are here to demand that a new policy be adopted We never have had any trouble IS to the Improvement been in such development of streams of our state as would reduce our freight rates and open new fields of industry We demand that the improvement of the inland waterway be Nsde in order that we may get 6roducts Of v " great r.a.e Eats or on ,ha ~ns ble terms to the | I''"- .has Of Buffalo. N. Y.. szcs- s.at.sn,o,. M -~. ign commerce: that heA tsa -,t,',4 ~s..s among the brightest inY the ~y,,. Sa;,,,. that they had pointed to s,''..a,r ss< America jn dealing fade- ,sa.,,s ns An,..r.. <tle propagation of delivery f,inton sI15 producE to tidewater Nr.1 -.r,t,e,.L 'ts (4ftitJ%as evident from fiilo r'-.-~-e< should not await fhA