Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1907-12-14
RIVER. C0AGRSs ENDS
NotablegAddresses by Governor
and Other Prominent Men.
ASK $4,000, ANNUALLY
llndrezne Of Reources CT Wealth
and Prosperity 70 Come Of New
Waterways Policy.

Waterways Policy.
The fourth annual convention Of the
National Rivers and Harbors Con-
gress was brought to close in Wash
ington Friday with the presentation OF
resolutions ambodying its recommend
ations for the improvement OF the
waterways OF the country to the presi-
dent of the United States, the vice
president and the speaker OF the
house. The resolutions. unanimously
adoRed, recommend an annual appro-
nriaf3on OF not less than $50,0OO.0O0
for the improvement of the water
yays. the issuance of bonds, If neces-
sary. and the adoption of wise and
liberal waterway policy by the gov
ernment
A notabel feature of the rivers and
farbor congress convention at Wash
iagton was the address delivered by
James j. Hill. president of the Great
Northern railroad company. who was
introduced to the congress as "a wiz
ard of transportation, and one OF the
greatest railroad builders in the
world"
Mr.. Hill created great enthusiasm
among the $500 delegates by declar-
ing that uhe railroads of the country
would support cordially any proper
plan for the development of the leg
itimate waterways of the United
States. He produced figures to show
that the traffic of the country had be-
come so great and was increasing SO
tremendously that it was beyond the
physical power of the railroads to
handle it. He made most important
and significant statement of the at
titude of railroad men toward legisla-
tion which had been directed against
rail carriers in America and declared
that all the railroads asked was per-
mission to conduct their business in
proper way under fair regulations and
fair laws.
Governors There.
Notable addresses also were dehv-
cred to the congress by governors OF
states and by other men prominently
identified with the political and COM
mercial life of the nation Among
thos present at the sessions or the
convention were scores of members
of congress, upon whom 1t is the de-
sire of the convention that its ideas
be particularly impressed. The con,
vention will conclude its work today
by the adoption of a series OF resoiu-
lions incorporating its idea that a
comprehensive national scheme Tor
the Improvement Of the International
waterways of the country should be
crystalized into law
Governor Dawson.
Governor w NJ. o. Dawson. of West
Virginia, was introduced, as the first
speaker. He said his state was partic-
ulariy interested in the comprehensive
improy ement on the inland waterways
of the country
AS Henry Ca saway Davis, # West
Virginia. asccnded the platform. Gov
ernor Dawson paid him cordial COM
pliment.
The governor referred particularly
to the resources of West Virginia, the
state being second in the production
of coal, the fifth or sixth in hard
wood timber. The bulk of the coal
has to find market outside of the
state and If, by water transportation.
the state could save the ten cents a
ton, it would aggregate sS,oOO.o00 a
year.
"We have" said he, ''the best coal
in the world aud more than $500
square miles more than England Scot
land and Wales. No other state in the
Union would derive greater benefit
from a comprehensive improvement of
the waterways OF the country than
West Virginia.
Gov. Dawson releFFeu urtSiis W
such improvements of the rivers of
West Virginia, as already had been
made and he said that IL the streams
were improved they would open to the
world undreamed OF resources and
Iwealth and prosperity.
I'VE are one people and have
common destiny" said he. in conclu-
sion. I'VE want nothing in West Vir-.
ginia that is forbieien to ans Other
bart of the country; but I say to you.
kentlemen. that we want to be ready
9or the Panama canal when that great
waterway is ready Tor us
Governor Glenn.
Governor Glenn, of North Carolina.
SacIarad that tfnp matte before this