The Washington herald., 1907-12-04


Promptly at 10 O'Clock this morning
President Joseph E. Ransden will call the
National Rivers and Harbors' Congress
TO order in the banquet hall Of the New
Willard. Last night at 10 O'Clock, 80
delegates had registered, and ii is ex-
pected that by noon to-day that number
will be nearly doubled
All the States OF the Union are repre-
sented by several delegates. Hawaii has
one and Alaska viii have one or two.
No gathering in Washington, in recent
years. has brought together a more rep
resentative body of men for any purpose
than that which will assemble to-day to
discuss the national policy of the improve
ment OF the waterways of the nation
Hotel Is Well Packed.
The New Willard Hotel was packed
with the delegates last night, all discuss
ing in the most animated manner the
coming convention. Members Of Congress
were there, Senator's and Representatives.
alike, meeting their friends and mingling
with the thrOng which had only one sub
ject of discussion, that being the impress
ing of the country and of the United
States Congress with the necessity of
pending large sums OF money iudiciously
in improving the natural streams and
harbors for the transportation of products
by cheaper methods than the railroads
OFFER.
In the congress is represented all the
associations Of the country whose specific
object is the Improvement OF rivers and
harbors, In addition trade bodies and
civic bodies are represented, and all are
pushing for a more liberal policy on the
part of the nation for the object stated.
Talk Of the Delegates.
The most noticeable thing in the talk
of the delegates last night was the sun
preston Of local and individual projects
for the Improvement and advocacy of a
broad national policy for the betterment
OF the waterways Every delegate had
out the one idea. that the time had come
when the government should shoulder the
great work Of providing navigable
streams and deep-water harbors to ac-
commodate the shipping interests Of the
country and the world. The congress is
an Outpouring Of public sentiment upon
this question. Its delegates are quiet and
determined men from the walks Of busi-
ness in all parts of the land.
The Pacific States are well represented
California sent twenty-six delegates. who
Travelled across the continent in a special
car. Tomorrow similar delegations will
reach Washington from the other Pacific
States, and the far West will be heard
from by numbers. as well as eloquent
words in behalf Of the object for which
the Congress meets.
The Mountain States are also here with
their delegates ready 10 unite in the de-
liberations of the congress. The States Of
the Mississippi Valley are cut in force.
Louisiana has sent % men 10 the meeting.
Minnesota has 4 on the ground. with
more coming. Missouri sends q and Ten
nessee Is Mississippi has 3 here, with
more to follow. Illinois has 10 on the
spot; Iowa. 90; Ohio IS: Pennsylvania. 20.
and so the record goes. including the New
England States, the Atlantic Coast States.
and those Of the South
committee IN Session.
Last night there were meetings Of the
executive COMMITTEES and Of the directors.
At the meeting OF the committee twenty
Of the tweHty-four members were pres-
ent The meeting was called for the
purpose Of going over the programme
making some changes. and providing
room for the speeches Of distinguished
men who were not expected. but who
have come to attend the congress. The
matter Of paying the expenses Of the
congress was also discussed. and the
necessary money provided for.
The directors met later and went over
routine matters connected with the work
of the congress during the year. II was
found that a vast amount Of work had
been done In the way Of educating nub-
lie sentiment on the general subject of
the Improvement Of waterways. which
VIII appear later in a report to the con-
eress. The directors and members OF the
executive committee present last night
were:
Executive cornmittee-William H. Lincoln. Olin J.
stephens Frank u. la lame blanchard Randau
= J. Hale, and W y. Stillscu
Directors-WilliaIa n. Lincoln. Boston Mass .
oiu j. stephens. New York v Y . Frank ID A..
lame. Philadelphia. Pa. blanchard Randall. Bal
tmonc. Nd f. J. Hale Fayetteville y CIV n
suilwell, Savannah. Ga. NJ j. Sanders. New or
leans. La. 5. w ;. Duncan, Dallas, Tex, William
Il. Rodgers. PuttsbuTg Pa. Albert BcttinCer. Gin
cnnati, Ohio John A. Fox. Bytheville Ark Law
fenco NJ Jones Kansas City. Mo. Rufus T. Ien-
nhgs San Francisco. Cal A II. Deyers. Portland
Oreg. John L. Vance. Columbus Ohio. Thomas NJ
Wilkinson, burlington, Iowa; William T. Kennett
y. LOUIS Mo; NJ T. Bryan Nashville Tenn
James n. Davidson. Oshkosh Wis T. 8 Conway
chicago. H. W. X kayanaugh St Louis Mo
T. 9. Bush birmingham. Ala. and F. H. Butler.
Buffalo. y. Y
Joseph L. Ransdall, Of Washington. is
president and J. f. Ellison. of Cincinnati.
IS secretary Of the congress.
The convention win assemble at 10
o'clock to-day, with sessions at 2.3O
o'clock and o'clock tonight. II win be
in session four days, closing at noon ON