The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1907-12-06
SAYS He FAvoRs INCREASE or
WATER TRANSPORTATION To
RELIEVE CONGESTION.
MANY SUPPORT HIM
Rivers and Harbors Congress Would
Appeal to Congress for $500, 100000
in $5o,ooo,ooo Yearly lnstalments-
Much Enthusiasm Is Aroused.

Washington, Dec. 5.A notable fea-
ture Of the rivers and harbors CON
gress, now In session in this city, was
the address delivered today by j. j.
Hill, president Of the Great Nortnern
Railroad company, who was introduced
to the congress as wizard of trans
portation and the greatest railroad
builder OF the world"
Mr.. Hill created great enthusiasm
among the $500 delegates by declar-
ing that the railroads OF the country
would support cordially any proper
plan for the delevopment of the le-
gitimate 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
power Of the railroads to handle 1t.
He made most important and sig
nificant statement OF the attitude OF
railroad men toward the legislation
which had been directed against rail
carriers in America, and declared that
all the railroads asked was permission
TO conduct their business in a proper
way, under fair regulations and fair
laws. .
The convention will conclude its
work tomorrow by the adoption of
series or resolutions containing its
Ideas that national improvement of
the waterways of the country should
be crystallized into laws.
Governor Glenn Of North Carolina,
one of the speakers, declared that the
matter before this congress was the
most important that had been ap-
preached in the last 100 years. Con-
tinuing, he said
Gas Secretary of State Root said
yesterday, we have reached the bridge.
We have not only reached the bridge,
but we must cross the bridge this
year. We demand the deepening OF
our rivers and harbors. We will take
40 denial. We must have $50O,00O,0O0
FOR the improvement Of rivers and
narbors, paid in sums Of $50,0O0,000
avery year."
President Finley of the Southern
in an address, pointed out
That 1t was the policy Of the Southern
railroad to encourage the establish
ment of coastwise steamer lines, as
he believed that the providing Of ad-
litional facilities for water Transports
ion would increase the population and
The prosperity of all communities,
and thus benefit the railroads.
Benefits the Railroads.
"In the same way he said, 81 be-
ieve that the construction OF the Pan
ANA canal will benefit, rather than
njure, the transcontinental railroads.
Is. It will tend to build up the Pacific
coast states, and while taking some
.raf1c from the roads will give them
increased traffic of other classes.
'sIt is to the Latin-American coun-
.ries and the Orient that we must
ook for an increase in our transporta-
ion facilities, and it is to them that
We must look for the principal oppor-
;unities to extend our markets for
hose commodities which we are striv-
ng to produce in competition with
In conclusion, President Finley
,aid:
"I believe the solution Of this prob
EN- is to be found in the adoption by
he general government OF broad
md comprehensive plan for the Inn
OF the rivers and harbors
Il the country, to be carried to COM
,letion as rapidly as the work can
,e done advantageously, and by the
Ldoption by federal and state govern
nents Of such railroad regulations as
will involve the minimum Of inter-
erence with the operation Of economic
avs consistent with the protection
il ssERAayels Of transportation and the
,ub1fc generally from wrong
IN mnmpnrvn nr NagasN nuEsGs