The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1908-12-09
WATERWAY GROUP
IS CALLED To
ORDER
ANDREW CARNEGIE FAvoRs BET
TER VETERINARIANS PREsI.
DENT FAIRBANKS AND cARDIN-
Al GIBBONS ARE SPEAKERS.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 9.-The ma
tional rivers and harbors congress
opened Its Nth annual convention THIS
morning at 10 o'clock In the large as
sembly room OF the New Willard MOTEL
Representative Russell, Of Louisi'
ana, president OF the congress. pre-
sided. Bishop O'Connell pronounced
the invocation. President Hansdeh
delivered the opening address. after
which President Fairbanks on be-
half of the government, formally wei
coined the delegates.
Ambassador James Bryce delivered
an address on the waterways OF Great
Britain.
Vice President Fairbanks read his
speech advocating the financing OF
such improvements OF the internal
waterways as might be deemed neces-
sary after the most thorough invest
cations. by a bond issue TO be de-
termined by the measures to be un-
dertaken.
Ambassador Bryce said the Inn
mense increase OF traffc on railroaus
had injured the efficiency OF passeh
ger service. The safety OF the peo-
pie Is the first duty OF the nation, nc
said.
Andrew Carnegie received a warm
greeting as he arose to speak
II do not believe there is man..
the steel magnate said in the course
of his remarks, Il do not care how
strict a construction.st he may be.
who would object today to bill tina:
would assist and improve the water
ways OF the United States.
This Is work far greater than
the Panama canal and the men who
have assisted In the beginning OF II.
and those who have been prominent
In II will be remembered as men VINO
served the republic well.
Chairman Ransdell in presenting
his report. said:
First and foremost II seems TO me
that We should Insist very strongly on
a river and harbors bill at the open
ing sessions Of congress, not nttie
bill, such as we have seen DEBATED
several time In the past, but meas
ure providing for $75,O0O,O0O or
500. O00, 900 bond issue. Next We should
insist upon the adoption OF the com
prehensive policy for which we stand
and a liberal bill every year carrying
not less than $50,QO0.000 until the I'm
provements In our waterways nave
been made. ..s.,,,s,4
I'VE should further Insist upon an
authorized bond issue OF $5O,0O0.OOO
per year and as much as may be nee
essary to carry on the works ana IN
vestigations which will pay annually
TO the American people at least 100
per cent In reduced railroad transpor-
tation charges"
Cardinal Gibbons did not. appear
ION
BISHOP O'Connell. of the Catholic
university of Washington.
During the sessions speeches Will
be made by governors Of states, adj
yocating the necessity OF urging upon
congress a broad and comprehensive
policy towards waterway Improvement
throughout the country. The motto
OF the convention Is "a policy and not
project"
Foreign diplomats during the ses-
sion will speak OF waterway conditions
in their respective countries. Am.
bassador Nabuco, of Brazil, will de-
scribe the improved waterway facil-
tiles of that republic.
The president will receive the con-
eress at the White House Friday aft
ernoon at 1880 o'clock.
Johnson, OF Minnesota; Deneen, Of
Illinois, and Smith, of Georgia, reach
ed the city yesterday. The delega-
lions from the Ohio valley, including
delegates from Louisville, Parkers-
burg. Owensboro, Paducah, and other
cities. arrived this morning.
The officials Of the congress. the
board of directors, and the vice-presi
dents of the several states. met at
dinner at o'clock last night In the
red room of the New Willard hotel
Il was I'm many particulars bust
ness session, preparatory to the work
of the convention. Plans were out
lined. and the scope and purpose or
the future work OF the congress dis
cussed.
Representative Joseph f. Ransdell.
president of the congress, presided.
Four thousand delegates are here.
The first annual convention OF the
Womans' National Rivers and Har-
bors congress met in the cabinet room
of the New willard at 10 a. m. Mrs.
Uoyle Tomkies, of Shreveport. Is pre-
siding over this adjunct to the main
congress. The woman's congress also
will remain I'm session until Friday aft
ernoon.
Addresses were made by Mrs. Tom
kies. Mrs. Donald Mclean, president
OF the Daughters of the Revolution.
and Mrs. A. F. Kpudsen.