Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1908-10-08
DEEPWATERC CHANNEL
Lakes-to-Gulf Association Begins Con-
ventiOn in E.gC.
JUDGE TAFT SCUM EYNOTE
Waterways Movement, He % Not
a Project, but a Poli
APPLAUSE GREETs STATEN
Growth Of Commerce Demands In
creased Trafic Facilities.
DFEEEN INTRODUCES SPEAKER
visitors Inspect the Drainage Canal
in the AftePnooR--W. j. Bryan
VIII he Principal Speaker
TodRy.
Growth Of Commerce Demands In
creased Traffic Facilities.
DEEEEH INTRODUCES SPEAKER


products Of the central states from the
great lakes to the Gulf Of Mexico through
a deep waterway, returning with products
OF no less value, was conjured up today
before the delegates and visitors to the
third annual convention OF the Lakes-to-
the-Guif Deep Waterway association by
able speakers headed by Judge William II.
Taft
Today's utterances were authoritative.
for they came from Secretary Saunders
'of tho association. President Kavanaugh.
head Of the organization; Governor Charles
S. Deneen OF Illinois, who spoke Of the first
link of the great waterway, the Chicago
drainage canal. and w. II. Taft, who had
general supervision in Washington Of the
building OF the Panama canal until he re-
signed TO become the presidential nominee
of the republican party.
TAFT sounds Keynote.
The need OF such waterway was in
sisted upon by every speaker. The question
of transportation, il was declared, Is one
Of the most serious questions with which
This country has to deal Judge Tafts
insistenee that not only the deep water
way. but the conservation of the national
resources. were related subjects which
sailed for immediate action elected great
applause. His statement that the water
way was not a project. but policy, found
a ready response in cheers OF his auditors.
Judge Taft said:
I'VE find that during the ten years end
ing with 1905 the internal commerce OF our
country has Increased lis per cent. while
railroad transportation facilities during tho
same time have Increased only per cent.
II has been pointed ont that TO supply this
deficiency by the construction OF additional
railroads and necessary terminals would
require a capital investment of s5,5Oc,OOO ,OoO
and this construction when completed
would make no provision for the further In
crease of our commerce
The only solution of this problem the
speaker found in deep waterways.
Opening of Convention.
The conwention opened &c 10 o'clock with
a prayer by Bishop Samuel Fallows of Chi
cago. William X. Kavanaugh, president
OF the association, then delivered his annual
address, and William r. Saunders, secre-
tary. read bis report The work OF making
up he committee proceeded until there
came an interruption for which all had
been waiting.
This was the appearance of Judge Taft
Smiling, somewhat hoarse, clothed in
plain business suit the republican candl-
date entered the stage preceded by Gov
ernor Deneen of Illinois. The orchestra
struck up "The Star spsngled Banner" and
the crowd, which had been slow in coming
but now filled the big auditorium. cheered
and waived small American flags, which
had been given to every visitor upon enter
ing the hall
Deneen Introduces Taft.
Governor Deneen. himself hoarse from
the vocal activities Of gubernatorial cam
paign. said in Introducing the speaker Of
the day;
"our state occupies a unique position
with reference to the matters which you
are to discuss. It is the lowest in elevation
and most uniform In topography in the
Mississippi valley, and because OF that. the
waters OF the continent, the interior waters.
those Of the Ohio. the Tennessee. the Cum
Serland the Missouri and the Upper Nj ssis-
sppl pass our state on their way to the
sea and cross our state too. must be
forged the final link will connect the great
lakes wish the guif
"Withiln two years OF the adjournment
of your first convention our legislature
submitted to the people, an act, which viii
allow US TO incur an Indebtedness of
s23oOO.OOO for the purpose OF digging one
link OF this great project This amendment
will be submitted to the people at the
coming election ard II wifi be carried"
Cheers for Judge Taft.
Judge Taft was cheered as he arose, pre-
facing his prepared speech with an apology
for his hoarseness.
''Gentlemen,'' he said, al must apologize
for my voice. II It sounds like the .'honk
Of an automobile It may be familiar "a
you. but not particularly agreeable to you
on that account"
You don't have to apologize for any
thing" shouted a delegate from the rear
amid applause, and the speaker launched
forth into ar argument for the water
In the afternoon four special trains car
ried the visitors on a tour OF inspection
OF the Chicago drainage canal where they
saw the stupendeous work instituted to
dispose Of ChioAgos sewage and which
some day. this delegation hope. viii form,
a part Of the channel to the gulf Of Mexico
from Lake Michigan.
Tomorrow there viii be morning and At.
ternoon sessions Of the convention. At the
forenoon session w. ]. Bryan will make
an address and IN the afternoon the prln.
cipal speaker will be clifford Pinchot
chairman OF the National ConservaticT
commission and head Of the forestry dlvis
ion at Washington. Ten minute speeches
viii be made by delegates.
TAFT TO WATERWAYS CONGRESS