The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-10-02
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The morning had dawned bright ano
clear. but by o'clock clouds began to
gather. Efforts were made to hurry the
program because OF the threatening
weather The line of the procession was
quickly formed for the drive TO the Jai
Aiai building in the western portion or the
city. five miles from the river, where the
president was to deliver his speech.
BY the time the procession had proceeded
eight blocks, the skies opened and the
president and his welcoming host were i'm
mediately drenched. The horses were
lwhipped up and regardless OF the pro-
Icessional formation the president was hur-
ried to the Jai Alai building.
In his speech the president in part:
PRESIDENTS SPEECH.
1t is a very real pleasure to address this
body of citizens of Missouri here in the
great city OF st. Louis. l have often
visited St Louis before, but always by
rail. Now am a visiting II in the course
of trip by water. a trip on the great
natural highway which runs by your very
doors highway once so important, now
almost abandoned. which I hope this ma
ton will see not only restored TO all it's
former usefulness. but given Ear greater
regree of usefulness to correspond with
the extraordinary growth in wealth and
population of the Mississippi valley.
From every standpoint IL Is desirable
for the nation to join in improving the
greatest system of river highways within
its borders, a system second only i'm i'm
portance to the highway afforded by the
Great Lakes; the highways Of the Misss-
sippi and its great tributaries, silch as the
Missouri and Ohio. This river system
traverses too many states to render Il
possible TO leave merely to the states the
task of fitting II for the greatest use Of
which II Is capable. IL Is emphatically a
national task. for this great river system
is itself one OF our chief national assets
NATION SHOULD ACT.
Below the mountains I'm the high dry
regions OF the western plains. we endeav-
or to secure the proper utilization of the
waters for irrigation. This is at the
sources OF the streams. Farther down,
where they become navigable. our aim
must be TO try TO develop policy which
shall secure the utmost advantage from
the navigable waters. Finally. on the
| lower courses OF the Mississippi the ma
| tion should do Its full share I'm the work
OF levee building; and, incidentally to its
purpose OF serving navigation. this will
also prevent the ruin OF alluvial bottoms
by floods. Our knowledge is not sufficient
ly far advanced TO enable me TO speak
definitely as to the plans which should be
adopted: but let me say one word OF
warning; The danger OF entering on any
such scheme lies in the adoption OF impos-
| sible and undesirable plans plans the adop-
tion OF which means an outlay OF money
extravagant beyond all proportion TO the
return. or which. though feasible are not.
relatively to other plans. OF an import
ance which warrant their adoption.
This is properly national movement.
because all interstate and foreign COM
merce. and the improvements and meth
ods Of carrying II on. are subjects for ma
tional action.
Take. for instance the Panama canal.
II the Mississippi Is restored To its former
place OF Importance as highway of
commerce. then the building OF the Pana-
ma canal will he felt as an immediate ad-
vantage TO the business OF every city and
country district in the Mississippi valley.
FIGHTING NAVY WANTED