The Washington herald., 1907-12-05

normal features are the things the peo-
/ pie OF the United States have seen and
| though about
/ we have come 20 hear great deal
about the pork barrel in connection with
these matters, as though the rivers and
| haTbOrs bill were the result of "A combina-
| ton of members OF Congress to secure ap-
preparations for the needs Of their own
districts 1t is time something should be
done-something definite and positive
/ that the people may understand that the
/ improvement OF the rivers and harbors
of the United States IS not mere barter
among politicians but is a matter Of
great public policy.
Secretary Root declared that the people
We're ready and willing 10 spend money
for the Improvement of waterways He
instanced their approval of the Panama
Canal project and Of the ship canal In the
State OF New York.
Products TO Ocean.
let US have created by the common
action Of the people of the United States
the best opportunities 70 get their
products 70 the point Of shipment. and. af-
ter they get them TO the ocean, let US
have an American merchant marine that
will take our products and extend our
I
Ambassador Jusserand followed Score
tary Root He said. in part:
I'VE hold the record for the present
You will hold it in your turn when the
great Panama Canal is finished; we turn
ed the first sod. you will turn the last,
and no one will applaud more heartily
than your predecessors.
Senator Newlands, of Nevada. was the
next speaker. and he was followed by
Martin A. Knapp. chairman of the Inter-
state Commerce Commission
The Afternoon Session.
The afternoon session began shortly be
fore O'Clock, and was given over for the
most part to the reading Of addresses by
men prominent in river and harbor i'm
provement in various sections Of the
country. The only business transacted
was the appointment of State vice pres-
dent and members of the resolution and
nomination committees. The names OF
these men are given elsewhere.
The first address, II it might be so
called. was made By the secretary of the
congress. Capt. J. r. Ellison Capt.
Ellison stated that 1870 delegates have so
far registered: that 46S cities of thirty
said that twcuty-threc governors have ap- !
pointed delegates. while fifty-one mayors
and 1S3 associations OF various kinds are
represented by their appOintces
The next speaker introduced by the
president was Cyrus p. Walbridge. of St /
Louis. Mr.. Walbridge said that he rep
resents and has been requested TO speak
for the Lakes to the Gulf Deep Water
way Association" He traced the founding
OF that association several years ago !
lie told of the work that has already |
been accomplished in The States which !
border the Mississippi River. and said |
that the dream of a deep waterway from
Chicago TO New Orleans was bound 10
come true in the future.
word of Criticism.
Il have sometimes heard word Of
criticism OF this association" said Mr..
Walbridee "A few have said that our
movement is selfish ard sectional. and
that We should merge all in greater
organization OF the National Rivers, and
HaTbOTs Congress. l want 10 say in be-
half of the Deep Waterways Association
that it is loyal and as ready to fight for
the things which this body OF men de-
sires 20 procure AS is any organization in
the country ! want 10 say. moreover.
Mr. President, that wherever you lead we
will follow.
II have often debated with mvself
whether or not We should attempt TO
take all the glory Of achieving these
great ends for which we are striving TO
ourselves. ] have often thought that il
might be better to leave to our children