The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1907-11-08

WASHINGTON, Nov, diplomatic
representatives Of al least two great
commercial nations, the governors Of
more than score Of states, mayors Of
cities throughout the entire country.
and men intimately connected with the
business life Of the nation are 10 gather
here next month 10 attend the fourth
annual convention Of the National
Rivers and Harbos Congress, the cali
for which has just been received Ia
Washington. The attendance gives pro.
mise Of being the greatest ever known
at convention Of this description. for
In addition 10 notification to its mem
bers. ths organizations officials have
sent out broadcast invitations to thous.
ands OF others interested In the general
question Of waterway development to
be present at the big gathering.
The convention, according TO the call.
viii under no circumstances consider
any special project for river and harbor
Improvement, but. a. 10 emphasized, II
will stand for broad and liberal policy
on the part Of the national government
for all such improvements as have been
fayorably, passed upon by tho board Of
United States engineers and by It re-
commended to the Congress Of the
United States. The call continues;
This convention viii demand of the
Congress Of the United States that q
more liberal proportion Of the revenue
OF the government heretofore about
three per cent) deribed from commerce
b expended In its interest In improving
the national channels Of trade and
transportation. 1t Is important that
ali interests, mercantile, manufacturing.
mining. agricultural. state and muni-
cipal. should show their desire for, and
concern In, the improving Of the rivers
and harbors Of the country. and in no
more eifectual way can this be done than
through this national convention. held
at the nations capital. in the presence
OF the nations lawmakers.
The fact that the convention will be
opened almost simultaneously with the
convening Of Congress undoubtedly will
have great effect on the minds Of the
national legislators. There Is to be a
strong effort made to push the rivers
and harbors appropriation bill through
Congress at the first session. Hitherto
this measure has been held up until the
last moment and has formed storm
center around which local and political
interests have fought. The Importance
Of the bill TO the business and CONNER
cial interests Of the country is 50 great
that an effort win be made to remove
1t from the realm OF politics and estab-
lish it in a position where calm and cool
can be given 1t.
Unfortunately, President Roosevelt
has been compelled to observe an iron.
clad rule not to address conventions in
the capital city. Ii this were not so,
there Is not the slightest doubt that the
Chief Executive would have made a.
ringing address at the convention. His.
wellInownl sympathy with policy Of
waterway development--a sympathy so
practical that it led him into taking
long voyage down the Mississippi River
TO investigate at firsthand the needs OF
the big stream--has led him into prom.
Using, although he Is unable to make
speech at the convention. that he viii
embody strong recommendations in mis-
message to the Sixtieth Congress, urg-
ing more liberality in appropriations
putting the waterways Of the country
in firstclass condition.
II Is probable, however, that the al.
ministration win be represented by
some cabinet official, Ih would sur
prise no one il Secretary Root were
chosen. The Secretary of State is an
enthusiast in the matter Of drawing
closer together the United States and
the South American republics through
more intimate commercial and political
relations. To bring this about he has
advocated on several occasions the devel-
opment Of this country's waterways, in
order that the cheapest transportation
may be provided for the carrying Of the
goods and products from American
mills, farms and mines to the republics
lying South. For this reason it Is high. |
" probable that secretaryp Root viii
be the official mouthpiece.