Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-01-18
Conference Of Heads Of Common.
vIsa|lhs VIII be a Success.
EVERY STATE WILL Be REPRESENTED
Hawalrs and Porto RIco's Govern
ors VIII be There, Blu. Alaska Alone
VIII Not Have Delesate-lnter.
nal Improvement Men Interested.
Especial To The Daily press.)


tiers of acceptance to the conference
at the White House IN May already
are pouring In on the President from
the governors of states and terrific
rles. The conference Is called to con.
slider the conservation of the natural
resources of the United States. It
VIII be broad In It's scope. but chief
among the subjects to be discussed
Is the question of improving the riy-
ers of the country. so they may be
transformed into arteries of com
mcrce. and deepening and otherwise
developing the ports that they may
be in condition to receive the rich
cnrgoes that will carry the treasures
of the interior to them.
All the governors have been heard
from. except those OF Alaska and Poi-
to Rico. Governor Walter Freer of
Hawaii has announced his intention
OF being present, and 1t Is almost GER
tain that Governor Post of Porto Rico
also Will be on hand. Because OF the
distance and the difficulties In getting
out, II Is not likely that Governor Hog.
gait will undertake the journey from
Alaska
Together with the governors there
will be present at the conference rep.
resentatlves of anumber of organiza.
lions Interested In the general prop.
LEM The National Rivers and Har.
bors Congress will be strongly In CIV.
idence. and Its president. Congress-
man Joseph Il. Ransdell. of Louisiana,
likely will head the delegation. The
Inland ,...crways 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
n strong representation Ia striking ev.
idcnce of the complete sympathy ex.
tended by the administration TO the
work of the organization. 1t has beer
endeavorlng for years to have the fed.
cral government appropriate $4,000
annually for the Improvement of the
rivers and harbors of the United
States. While II has had the hearty
endorsement OF President Roosevelt
In the past, 1t never was able to OBJ
tain direct word of commentator
from Representative Theodore L. Bur.
ton. chairman OF the Committee on
Rivers and Harbors, until its conyen
tlon last month.
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 the subject of internal improve
ments.
How much do you think should be
appropriated each year In carrying
out this vigorous policy?'" asked for
mer Congressman Maddox, who was
present az n delegates from tho South
Mr. Burton hesitated. Then he tooR
the plunge.
81 think l can endorse your pro
gram of not less than $50.000.000 n
year." he said. smiling.
The applause that greeted his sur
render was deafening. 1t lasted fdt
minutes and then broke out afresh
The statement meant much. for Con
gresham Burton Yields enormous in
fluance In his capacity ms chairman
of the Rivers and Harbors Committee
of the House. 1t Is not unlikely that
hereafter bill for river and harbor
improvements carrying $50.000.000 or
more Will be passed annually.
In addition to waterways improve.
ments. the governors at the White
House conference will discuss irriga.
ton, drainage. the preservation OF
forests. the water power to be derived
from streams and half dozen allied
topics. There will be no set speeches,
according to the tentative arrange
ments. but each person present has
been invited 10 come prepared to dis
cuss the question in which he Is most
interested.