Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-06
WATERWAYS IS TOPIC
Rivers and Harbors Congress
Assemblies Wednesday.
FAIRBANKS TO WELCOME 1T
Ambassadors Bryce and Nabuco to
Make Addresses.
OTHER SPEAKERS OF NOTE
Policy of Development to Be Crys-
tallized Into Project Is Pur-
pose of Meeting.
FAIRBANKS TO WELCOME 1T
OTHER SPEAKERS OF NOTE


the country, the National Rivers and
Harbors Congress, will meet In national
contention at the New Willard Wednes-
day.
Never before in the history Of this or
ganization-and this will be its fifth an
nual convention---has there been such wide
interest shown as in the coming gather
ing. There is every prospect that at
least 1000 delegates. representing all sec
tons of the country. will be present 70
give emphasis to the platform of the Ma
tional Rivers and Harbors Congress. "A
policy and not project" toward the
waterways of the republic.
This great meeting is the cryStalliza-
ton of determined effort on the part of
the business interests of the country to
bring the Congress of lie United States
to n realization of the fact that piece
meal appropriations for he Improvement
of our rivers, harborS and canals is puer-
lie. and that u yearly budget should be
provided sufficiently large to carry on a
systematic work of waterway bettermeni
to meet the growing needs of trade and
commerce.
Attitude of President
In recent message to Congress Presi-
dent Roosevelt said:
THE rivers of no other country are SO
poorly developed. SO little used or play
so small part in the industrial life Of
the nation as those Of the United States
Two thousand delegates were present at
this congress Il year ago. but the activity
on the part of those connected with the
National Rivers and Harbors Congress
and the waterway planks In the platforms
of the leading political parties focused at
Increased
water facilities to move the heavier
freight because of rail congestion, Situa-
ton that the leading railway men of the
country. including James Hill, Marvin
Hughitt. A. Il. Stickney. Oscar j. Murray
and other railroad magnates, believe is
serious unless relieved by improving the
nations water highways.
For months, Notwithstanding it was q
year in which a President. Vice Presi-
dent and Congress were to be elected
President Joseph e. Ransdell of Louisi
ana, together with his associates on the
board of directors and vice presidents
of the several states. were actively en-
gagged In preaching the gospel of d COM
prehensive policy of waterway develop
ment. AS result of this propaganda
through personal solicitation and the
press which has been a strong factor in
making the movement success, every
section of the country having water
way, a canal or Il harbOr became en-
Enthusiastically interested in the cause of
better waterways. The big convention
which begins it's sessions Wednesday is
the elimination Of a campaign of edu-
cation.
Welcome by Fairbanks.
Cardinal Gibbons will deliver the invo-
cation at the opening session Of the con-
gress Wednesday morning in the audi
torium Of the New Willard. He will be
followed by Vice President Fairbanks,
who will deliver an address of welcome
to the delegates from the national gov
eminent, and, incidentally, speak in be-
half of a comprehensive policy for Wa
terWay Improvement.
Ambassador Bryce will represent Great
Britain in an address upon the British
Isles. with some reference to the water
way policy of Germany.
Ambassador Nabuco of Brazil will
speak of the achievements of his coun-
try in developing rivers and harbOrS.
Canada will be represented by two del
egates under appointment of Premier
Wilfrid Laurier-Senator w. c. Edwards
and r. H. Campbell.
Secretaries Garfield and Wilson will
represent the cabinet. Speaker Joseph
G. Cannon. Champ Clark. j. L. Lloyd and
Senator Robert l.. Owen of Oklahoma
will represent the legislative branch of
the government in speeches before the
congress.
Among others who will address the
convention are Andrew Carnegie. James
W. Van Cleave, president of the National
Association of Manufacturers: Samuel
Gompers, president of the American Fed
GRAFTON of Labor; j. Horace Mcfarland,
president of the National Civic Associa
ton; f. f. Skene. chief engineer of the
Erie canal commission; Maj. J. A. Ock-
erson of the Mississippi river commission;
Capt Isaac NJ Mason of st. Louis. for
many years president of the ST. Louis
of the Oldest steamboat men now living.
Jim Rawlings of Memphis. Tenn, will
represent the National Commercial Tray
elers' Association.
Governors Will Speak.