Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1907-10-05
Roosevelt Tells of Vast Prob
lens Confronting Water
ways Commission and Ben
efitS to Follow Their Solution
WHOLE NATION MUST
UNDERTAKE THE WORK
Wealth of Forest and Mine
Once Considered InexhauSt-
ibIe Worked Out or in Hands
of Great Corporations.


Memphis. Tenn. oct Memphis
was thronged with visitors when
President Roosevelt arrived here
shortly after noon, The presidential
party was Immediately driven to the
Auditorium, where the second annual
convention Of the Lakes 10 the CUR
Waterway convention was in session.
Cheering and blowing of factory whis-
ties greeted the progress Of the presi-
dent through the streets. The presi-
dents address was devoted to the
need Of the conservation and proper
use of the natural resources of the
countIv.
The Presidents Address.
The president said:
Mr. Chairman. Ladies and Gentle
men:
Under any circumstances | should
welcome the chance Of speaking at
Memphis in the old historic state OF
Tennessee. rich in its glorious past and
in the certainty Of an even greater tu-
ture but / especially congratulate my
self that ! am able TO speak mere on
an occasion like this, when | meet not
only the citizens Of Tennessee, but
many Of the citizens of Mississippi ana
Arkansas and of other states as welli
and when the chief executives - so
many states are gathered 10 sona. er
4 eubie.. uf in9ineutous Interest," to All.
The Mississippi valley Is magninccnt
empire in size and fertility IL rs bet
ter adapted TO the Development OF IN
land navigation than any other valley
In either hemisphere. for there are
1900 miles OF waterway now more
or less fully naVigable, ana the cohdi-
tions are 50 favorable that II VIII be
easy to increase the extent OF naviga-
bile waterways to almost any required
degree by civilization. Early in our
Industrial history this valley was the
seat Of the largest development OF IN
land navigation in the United States
and perhaps you will pardon my mem
tioning that the first steamboat west
Of the Aleghenies was built by
Roosevelt. my t-grandfathers 8
brother. in 1911, for the New Orleans
trade and i'm that year made the trip
from Pittsburg TO New Orleans. But
from various causes river and canal
TRANSFORMATION declined all over the
United States as the railroad systems
came To their full development IL y
our business TO see that the declir Is
not permanent; and 1t is of intere u
remember that nearly a century ago
President Madison advocated the ca
nalization OF the Mississippi.
In wealth OF natural resources no
kingdom of Europe can compare VITA
the Mississippi valley and the region
around the Great lakes. taken to-
gether. and In population this huge
fertile plain already surpasses all save
one or two Of the largest European
Kingdoms In this empire peculiarly
stalwart and masterful people itnds II
self In the surroundings best lifted TOR
the fun development Of its powers and
faculties. There has been great
growth in the valley of manufacturing
centers: the movement Is good IL IL
does not go too far, but ! earnestly
hope that this region as whole VIII
remain predominantly agricultural
The people who live i'm the country
districts. and VINO tim the small or me-
dium sized farms on which they i've
make up what Is on the whole the
most valuable asset in our national
life. There can be just as real prog
ress and culture I'm the country as II
the city. especially in these days OF
rural free delivery trollcys. bicycles'
telephones good roads, and school I'M
provements The valley of the Mis-
sissippi is practically and CONNER
cIally more important than any other
valley on the face Of the globe. Here
more than anywhere else viii be de-
termined the future OF the United
States and indeed OF the whole west
crn world: and the type or civilization
reached IN this mighty valley in thi~
vast strefcn OF country % iib nft" %
the Alleghenics and the Rockies. the
Great lakes and the gulf, viii largely
fix the type Of civilization for the
whole western hemisphere. Already.
as our history shows, the west has de
termined our national political devei-
opment. and the Fundamental princi-
uie Of present American politics. po-
liucal equality was originally a wes-
tern idea.
The wonderful variety of resources
ln different portions OF the valley
make the demand for transportation
altogether exceptional Coal lumber.
corn. wheat. cattle-on the surface %.
the soil and beneath the soil the
riches are sreat- There are already
evident strong tendencies to increase
the carrying Of freight from the nor
thern part Of the valley Go the gult
THROUGHOUT the valley the land b pa
fertile as 60 make the held for th.
farmer peculiarly attractive ano
where IN me west the climate be' ufne'
dryer we enter upon the ranchina
country. while in addition to the prod
nets of the soil there are also tnf
manufacture Supplied iu innumeranl
manufacturing ceuters. Ertat ana
small. cities 81 astonishing growth
ARE found everywhere from the euiI 81
the Great lakes. from the AiieEnerie'