Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1908-01-19
NATL Rivers
and HARbORS
Important Congress Soon to
Be Held in Washing
ton, D. c.

Washington, Jan. 16-Letters of &C
ccptance to the conference at the
White House in May already are
pouring in on the president from the
governors of states and territories.
The conference is called to consider
the conservation of the natural re-
sources Of the United States. 1t will
be broad in its scope, but chief among
the subjects to be discussed is the
question of improving the rivers of
the country so they may be trans
formed into arteries of commerce,
and deepening and otherwise develop
ing the ports that they may the in
condition to receive the rich argosies
that will carry the treasures of the
interior to them.
All the governors have been heard
from, except those of Alaska and
Porto Rico. Governor Walter Freer
of Hawaii has announced his inten-
ton of being present, and it is al
| most certain that Governor Post of
Porto Rico, also will be on hand. Be-
cause of the distance and the difficult
ties in getting out, it is not likely that
Governor Hoggatt will undertake the
! journey from Alaska.
Together with the governors there
will be present at the conference, rep
resentatives of number of organiza-
tons interested in the general prob
lem. The National Rivers and Hor-
bors Congress will be strongly in
evidence, and it's president, Congress
+! man Joseph E. Randell of Louisiana,
likely will head the delegation. The
Inland Waterways Commission also
will take part in the proceedings,
which will occupy three days.
The fact that the National Rivers
and Harbors Congress will have such
a strong representation is striking
evidence of the complete sympathy
extended by the administration to the
! work of the organization. It has
been endeavoring for years to have
the federal government appropriate
$50,OO0,000 annually for the Improve
ment of the rivers and harbors of the
United States. While it has had the
hearty Endorsement of President
Roosevelt in the past, it never was
able to obtain a direct wor of com.
mendation from Representa- Theo-
1 dore E. Buxton, chairman of the com.
mittee on rivers and harbors, until
:. its convention last month.
1 And then Congressman Burton
, "came into camp" In the course of
speech to more than 1000 delegates
:. from every section of the country he
acknowledged that he believed the
! time had come for the Inauguration OF
vigorous policy in the treatment OF
j; the subject of internal improvements.
J 'How much do you think should be
appropriated each year in carrying
. out this vigorous policy'?" asked
former Congressman Maddox, who
was present as a delegate from the
q south. Mr.. Burton hesitated. Then
he took the plunge.
Il think I can 1ndorse your program
Of not less than $50,0O0,000 year,
i he said, smiling.
The applause that greeted his sur
render was deafening. 1t lasted for
minutes and then broke out afresh.
The statement meant much, for Con.
gresham Burton Yields enormous in
fiuence in his capacity as chairman
of the rivers and harbors committee
of the house. 1t is not unlikely that
hereafter bill for river and harbor
improvements carrying $50,U00,000 or
[. more will be passed annually.
4 In addition to waterways improve
ments, the governors at the White
House conference will discuss irri-
I cation, drainage, the preservation OF
forests, the water power to be deriv-
4 ed from streams and a half dozen
! allied topics. There will be no set
speeches, according to the tentative
arrangements, but each person pres
ent has been invited to come prepared
to discuss the question in which he
is most interested
A committee was appointed to or
ganize a water users association fol
the purpose of promoting the enter
prize and the people of this section
believe that ultimately We will have a
more extensive enterprise than that
at Buford or Williston.
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