The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-10-05
The Executive Also Advocates

s
Navy and Virile
Government.
MEMPHIS. TENN. October 4.--With
bands playing, children singing and
enthusiastic men shouting the slogan
of deep waterways, Memphis threw
wide her gates this afternoon to Pres
fdent Roosevelt and score OF Gov
ernors and many other distinguished
personages in the Mississippi Valley.
The President arrived on the United
States steamer Mississippi shortly af-
ter o'clock. The blu6s overlooking
the river were packed with people.
who gave the chief executive warm
welcome. AS the steamer landed the
whistles OF all craft In the harbor
were sounded.
When all had landed. the President
was conducted to a carriage by Gov
ernor Patterson, of Tennessee, and
Mayor Malone, OF Memphis. and the
4 most imposing parade ever seen here
was begun. The President was con-
tinuously cheered throughout the
march. The city was a waving mass
OF color. not only along the line OF
parade. but on many other streets as
well.
When the Presidents carriage turned
into Main Street he was saluted by a
regiment Of Confederate veterans, who
thereafter acted as a bodyguard. The
President rose and warmly greeted the
warriors OF half century ago. De-
spite lively downpour OF rain. which
lasted until noon, the streets were
damned with citizens and visitors.
In Second Street 200 school children,
seated on decorated arch. sang pat
riotic airs as the President passed.
The President rose in his carriage and
bowed repeatedly to the little ones.
Pays Tribute to Confcdcrates.
Arriving at the Auditorium rink.
where the deep waterways convention
is being held. President Roosevelt.
alighted. chatted with several friends
and assembled the platform. The huge
structure filled up rapidly. and when
Governor Malcolm Patterson rose to
present the President, an immense as
semblage greeted him, ~
President Roosevelt departed from
his printed speech in several instances.
Speaking OF the Confederate guard OF
honor, he said 1t was a touching sight
to see these old Confederate soldiers
carrying the flag OF this great Union.
II any one wanted to know how they
would fight for that flag. let him ask
the boys In blue how the boys in gray
fought against It. He said, with em-
phasis, that he was as much the .Presi-
dent OF the South as of the North, and
was devoted to the South's interests.
He said he was half Southerner; and
when lie told OF two or three of his
unclcs having worn the gray. he was
tremendously applnuded.
Speaking of q deep water channel
from the Gulf to the Lakes. the Presi.
dent said he favored rapid improve
ment OF the Mississippi River.
VIII Protect PannmH Canal.
Like Davy Crockett, the great Ten
nesseean,' he said, y favor his motto.
BE sure you are right; then go ahead,
and this deep water problem is almost
up to the 'go-ahead stage; but we
want to be sure about It,"
The Panama Canal. he said, was get
ting on we'll. "and the reason 1t is
getting on SO we'll is because we did
not allow ourselves to go off half
cooked When the canal has been
built. he said. this nation would not ask
other governments kindly not to
bother the canal" but that we would
protect 1t. 1--WE must have a larger
and highly efficient navy to patrol our
coasts, not only the Atlantic, but on the
Pacific" he said. He urged the people
to disregard party in all purely ma
tional affairs.
When the President closed his ad-
dress he was driven rapidly to his
train at the Missouri Pacific station
whence he departed at o'clock for
Lake Providence. La, for hunting
trip. Il
In the course OF his speech, which
was the longest of his series on this
trip, the President said in part:
Importance Of Waterways.
Tho industries developed under the stlmu,
: us OF tho railroads are for the most part
permanent industries. and therefore they
form the basis for future development But
the railroads have shown that they alone
cannot meet the demands OF the country TO,
transportation. and where this is true tht
rivers should begin to supplement the rail
II roads. to the benefit of both. by relieving
them of certain OF the less profitable classe
OF freight. The more farseeng railroad men
/ am glad to tell you. realize this fact, ant
many OF. them have become earnest adyocatei
oe the Improvement OF the Mississppi. 81
that It may become sort Of inland sea.
board, extending from the Gulf far into tht
+ interior, and hope ultimately to the Grea
Lakes. An investigation of The proposed
progress under. an appropriation of the Las
&s Congress- We shall await Its results Will
tho keenest interest. Tho decision is oh
viousy of capital Importance to our inter
& nnlEdeYelopment and scarcely less SO In rea
tlon to external commerce. If v 5as f1,si (,
Many Projects Involved.
This is but one OF the many project
which 1t is time to consider. although, /,
most important one. Plans for tho Improve
ment OF our inland navigation may fairl.
Z begin with our greatest river and Its chile
tributaries hut they cannot end there. Th
lands which the Columbia drains includ
AZ assvast area OF rich grain fields and frui
4 lands. much OF which is not easily reached
" by RAILWAY VS.. TX The removal of obatruction
in tho Columbia and It's chief Tributaries
would open to nayig cation and inexpensiv
freight transportation fully 1000 miles o
channel. Tho Sacramento and San y oaqull
i rivers with their tidal openings thto Sal
81 Francisco Bay are partly naygable now
Their navigation should be maintained nns
Improved, 30 aa to open y tho slna arveousl!
ricl valley o { Gail lforhia to inexpsnsive trat
nc.s6in order to facilitate both rate Eregula
sion and the ntrol Of the waters for othe
N purposes. And i many other rivers OF .th
United States demand improvement. 40 "a
II better to meet tho Grequ uirements OF sincreas
lns prodActlon from 4 he soil, Increasing man
n ufaature. and q rap lys grow IL spopnln ntion
Has Even broader Task. II s,s55
ss Tho Inland Watsrways3 mission has 4
task broader X han E tho q cnnsid iderat tlon q
Continued on l'ifth Page 81 81