Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-03-07
A BROAD WATERWAY.
Congress May Harken to the Coun-
 try's Demands.

l WdSllnEtOn, MATCH (.-IHdI tue
 country is demanding broad and
 comprehensive plan of waterway i'm
 provements and that it is determined
 that congress shall authorize the ex'
 penditure of sufficient funds for this
 work has become apparent since
 Senator Knox, of Pennsylvania, out
 lined his attitude regarding such i'm l provements. Senator Knox is the first
 presidential candidate to declare for
 national waterway improvement policy. Since his views were given to
 the country he has received emphatic
 assurance that his ideas have the in-
 dorsement of the people. Telegrams
 and letters have come to him from
 every section of the country. They
 are from business organizations and other bodies who demand the develop
 ment of our waterway transportation | facilities. These communications
 clearly indicate that the country is
 alive to the importance of that work
 and that waterway Improvements will be an issue in national politics. Last December the national rivers and har-
 bOrs congress at a meeting in Wash ingtOn sounded warning that sena- tors and representatives would do well he heed. Resolutions were adopt ed declaring for annual appropriations by congress of at least fifty million dollars for river and harbor work The
 tp No chi nptn al gates from every state in the union and it was the largest and most en- thusiastic gathering ever held by the advocates of waterway improvements. For several years river and harbcr bill has been enacted by each con- gress but the amount was insufficient compared to the demand. Senator Knox insists that the government can not expend its funds more proftably than by poviding the people with ade- quate water transportation facilities. He would have the government con- tinue the work it is now doing in the improvement of the larger streams and at the same time start work on the smaller rivers, whose improve ment is certain to develop a substan- tial commerce. He does not limit the appropriations to fifty millions d year. If the work can be done with such ap- propriatlons, well and good; if not, then let congress authorize the ex- penditure of all the money required Mir Knox is as familiar with the con- ditions regarding the countrys rivers and harbors as any other man. He has made a thorough investigation of the conditions. He declares that the practical plan for the development of our commerce is presented by the ad- vocates of the proposed internal im- prOvements. He also insists that this work should not be delayed until the completion of the Panama canal, as has been proposed by many members of congress.
 Senator Knox's advocacy of river improvements has strengthened his presidential candidacy in every state. He is recognized as the most infuen- tial friend the supporters of river Improvements have in the senate and his advocacy of a national river im- provement policy is advanced as a potent reason why he should be in the white house. There is no doubt that if elected president he would exert the influence of his administration toward the adoption of this policy by congress.
 The Pennsylvania senator's friends are now more confident than ever be- fore that he will be the choice of the Chicago convention. They believe his public service both as attorney gen cral in the cabinet of President Roose- | welt and in the senate commend him to the people as a statesman who is i splendidly equipped for the presi- 1 dency. His supporters declare that in l him the republicans will have a can dldate who would receive the united | support of the party, as his candidacy l is involved in no factional differ ! ences. They confidently predict that I, the delegates at Chicago will decide | that Senator Knox is the logical sue i cessor of President Roosevelt.