Los Angeles herald., 1907-01-19
WATERWAY MEN
STORM CONGRESS
SCORE NIGGARDLY POLICY OF
ADMINISTRATION
Pennsylvania Delegation Makes Pro-
test and Urges Lake-to.Gulf Deep
Water Projeet-Washina-
ton Gossip

ton gossip
Special to The Herald.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 1S.-The storm
center at the capital this week has
been the room of the comittee on riv-
ers and harbors. Delegations from
Chicago and st. Louis. reinforced by
the congressional delegations from IL
linois and Missouri have stormed the
stronghold of Chairman Burton In an
effort TO secure recognition for the
lakcs-t -to-the gulf deep waterway.
The Pennsylvania delegation in the
house held a caucus during the week
at which resolutions by Representative
Acheson were adopted denouncing the
nggardly policy of congress toward
waterways i'm general and urging the
Importance of a survey for deepening
the channel of the Delaware river to 80
feet. Representatives from practically
every quarter of the country also have
appeared before the committee to press
general schemes for particular i'm
provementS.
This activity has impressed congress
with the remarkable interest being de-
veloped in the general plan for water
ways development throughout the
United States. For the purpose of
crystallizing and making more effec-
tive this growing interest, the National
Rivers and Harbor congress, through
its secretary, j. f. Ellison of Cincin-
natl, has issued a general call to the
entire country urging commercial or
ganizations, firms and individuals to
Join it in pressing the claims of COM
merce before the administration. Cop
les of this call have been received by
members of congress and 1t is expected
that the response will be widespread
and complete.
The National Rivers and Harbor con-
gress at the present time has mem
bership extending over thirty-two
states and territories, but it is hoping
to double this membership within the
next year. The list of membership fees
as shown in the official call is remark
ably moderate, and for that reason the
response is expected to be prompt.
Pacific Coast to Get Cruisers
Although there is not the slightest
of trouble with Japan, the
recent furry on the Pacific coast has
had the effect of making the navy de-
partment change its plans materially,
so far as the distribution of the ma
tions war vessels is concerned.
Although the naval general board de-
MES that it entertains at present any
intention of disturbing the plans made
several months ago for maneuVers IN
West Indian waters, it is credibly
reported that as soon as the big fleet
now under command of Rear Admiral
Evans reaches northern waters for
minor repairs, a number of vessels of
the heavy armored class will be sent
around the Horn and stationed in Pa
ctfic waters along the United States
coast.
At the present time congress has
under consideration a bill for the crea-
ton of a fleet of fifteen submarine
vessels to be stationed in Pacific coast
ports. If this bill becomes law and
the big war vessels follow out the pro-
gram outlined the Pacific coast will be
fairly we'll protected in case of attack.
No Fear of Monarchy
Whether or not Mark Twain's pro-
phecy of the coming American mon
archy is to be taken as result of his
recent visit to Washington, there has
as vet been no scramble on the part
of prominent families for court posi-
tions under the new regime. In fact
it's imminence is doubted and there is
a strong belief that there is no danger
of King Theodore 1.
able tendency due to business eXpan-
sion in the light of a conscious advance
to monarchy is the general opinion
here, but it is evident that this move
ment is hardly what he takes it to be.
To the argument that the federal gov
ernment exercises powers unthought of
fifty years ago is adduced the answer
that the corporation was also un-
thought of then.
The activities of the federal govern
ment find their excuse in the fact that
the various states which have tried to
solve the latter-day business problem
the regulation of corporations-have
often been particularly unhappy in
their attempts, and in consequence
have often passed such extreme laws
as to harm themselves seriously.
It has already been demonstrated
that a state cannot solve the trust
problem merely by passing extreme
laws during excitement. while it has
been shown that such action offers the
best way of hurting the business COM
munty. Meanwhile there are many
who believe that states should refrain
from such divergent and dangerous
laws and that the solution is to be
found by the federal government. What
Mr.. lemens calls monarchy is here
being labeled merely adaptation to new
business conditions.
Shaw May Live in Omaha
Omaha is the latest point of residence
for Secretary Shaw on his retirement
from office in March. The report was
circulated i'm official circles this week
but as usual the astute head of the
treasury department looks wise and
says nothing when the matter is
broached. Rumor has had Mr.. Shaw
taking up his residence in his old home
I'm Des Moines, i'm New York, in Sc
attic. and i'm various other places, but
i'm every case he has treated these ru-
mOrs with silent amusement 1t Is
probable that the secretary will spend
three or four weeks after his retire
ment at Hot Springs, Va, where he
win rest after his strenuous term as
guardian Of the nations pocketbook,
and avail himself Of the mineral baths
at the noted Virginia resort.