The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-12-05
Prominent Men, Including Sec
retary Root, Ambassador Jusse-
rand, Senator Newlands, Com
missioner Knapp and Others
Commend Project for I'M
proving Waterways.
srtrnes-Dispatch Bureau,
Munscy Building.

gress are being held.
The fact that the sentiment In favor
of the Improvement of the waterways
of this country is growing with won
derful rapidity. and has reached great
strength, Is apparent after hearing the
subject discussed by delegates who
represent the solid business men OF the
various States. by the Governors. ana
by Senator'S and Representatives.
senator ,Iartiu Iudorxcs It.
u believe the development OF water
transportation on our inland streams
Is matter OF transcendant import
ance." said Senator Martin this morn
ing In the marble room at the Capt.
tol, after an hour or two spent with
delegates to the Congress, especialip
with the Virginia delegation. ut is .
subject which has been greatly neg
lcctcd. The indications are that this
will change and that popu1ar senti-
ment will be aroused to the point OF
demanding fixed and comprehensive
policy of Improvement of our inland
Waterways
Representative f. r. Lassiter. of vIr-
ginia Is a del gate to the convention.
and is taking the keenest interest In
the conventions work. as he is deeply
interested in the Improvement OF
water communication. He aft nded the
5A1eep, WalSWiss5 WaAe'lSWiss SohfeHtiott III flllsl-S
adelphia two weeks ago. " here his
Interest In the subject was much
stimulated. Representative John Lamb
was at tho opening session of tile con-
vention to-day. He has always been
much Interested III river improves
ment.
Ncwlnnds Asks Fifty Million.
The bill introduced to-day by senn-
tor Newlands. of Nevada. creating q
fund of s50.O00.00o for inland water
way Improvement. not only Is indica-
tive of the trend of sentiment. but
the bill is believed to be OF especial
Significance. in that 1t IS thought to
have behind 1t the support OF the In-s
land Waterways Commission, since Mr..
Newlands Is vice-chairman OF the COM
of which Representative Bur
ton is chairman.
The greatest enthusiasm marks thu
deliberations of the congress. and the
enthusiasm Is in the conversation OF
every delegate who discusses the aims
OF the congress. They mean business 4
They Will support the recommendations
which the Inland Waterways Commis-
sion, appointed by the President, will
make to Congress- through the execus
tive. 1t is understood this commits
sion. as stated in this CORE spondenea
n few days ago. will recommend that II
be given control of all river and harbor
and will recommend that
a half billion dollars be expended In
river Improvement
IT is doubted whether Congress will
consent to take the work out OF the
hands OF the army engineers. but there
is little doubt that an effort will be
made to have it done.
IS Governor. in Attendance.
There is possibility that Congress
will have&n river and harbor bill this
session. drafted along lines Indicated
by the Inland Waterways Commission,
and indorsed by the convention. though
1t is hardly probable3that anything will 4
be done at this session IN the way of
making appropriations for better water
transportation.
Four Governors are in attendance on
tlle convention. including Governor
of Mlssissippi; Governor
Folk, of Missouri; Governor Johnson.
OF Minnesota, and Governor Cummings.
OF Iowa.
The Virginia delegates to the con-
vention include NJ. c. Patterson and
cailsey, of Hampton; +. r. Lassiter.
of Petersburg. and the following citi-
zens of Norfolk. Robert Johnson, w.
r. Boutwell, a. Hail. g.. w. lHarney.
7. II. Syno,b w. 4. Anderson, H.. A.
Dobie and George Lindsay. VA N + SSsss 5s
Nearly 1000 delegates, representing
avers Statcin tho Enion,s We're present.
1t Is nor IL special project that the con-
vention has in View, hut the adoption
of II policy by the government looking
10 the extension of the transportation Z;
facilities of the United States. On ba-
lalf of the national administration Mr.
EIihu Root Secretary OF State, ex-
ended to the congress hearty SYM
pathy in the Work which IT has UNDER
aiken. and gave assurance OF the sup-
sort OF the standardization In the con.
Illusions arrived at by the dcicgates.
The congress will be In session for
shree days. aud the body viii be ad-
l~sssii by some OF the most prominent
,ubllcists and economists Of the United Il
States,
Proceedings OF Convention.
The convention was formally open.
I'D at 10 O'clock this morning; Repre-. E
) ntative Joseph Il, Ransdell, fof Louis
lana. presided. The services began \
with prayer by Bishop Cranston, oe
the Methodist Episcopal Church, Pres.
ldent Ransdell in opening the cons Fl
gress refepred TO the work OF ths na.
tional administration IN 1romotin4
trade relations between American and
foreign countries. particaiaislS those ~
countries lying to the south ot the
United States. and referred In compyi. g
terms TO the achlevernents OF N
Secretary Root, OF the state Depart
4