The Kennewick courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1905-1914, 1908-01-24
PLANS TO IMPROVE RIVERS OUTLINED.
Dr. Blalock Prof. Lyman and Captain Gray Arouse Active Co.
operation by Able Al1resses Commercial Club
Will Hep

The special meeting of the Ken
newick Commercial Club last Satur-
day afternoon was enthusiastic and
inspiring. The opening gun of the
campaign in this state for river and
harbor improvement was fired.
This campaign will urge these i'm
prevements in accordance with
comprehensive plan and as a con-
secutive policy. The plan and the
policy are the results of the last
Rivers and Harbors Congress held,
in Washington, D. c. DR.. n. G.
Blolock, who was the representative
Of this section of the state at the
congress, was the first speaker.
DR.. Blalock was introduced by
vicc-president James A. Rose, and
took up the description of the Con-
gress and it's purposes in this local
ity and incidentally included the
plans Of the Open River Association.
The last meeting was the most sue
cessful ever held. Over 1000 dele
gates, representing every state and
territory, were in constant attend
ance. The Congress was remark
able in that the intense interest
nodded the diverse desires of many
localities, and oddities of many
cranks into harmonious unity. The
resolutions adopted and sent to the
Congress of the United States en-
BODY the sentiment of the meeting
recommend the appropriation OF
Fifty Millions of dollars every year
for ten years for river and harbor
improvement, total appropriation
of half a billion dollars. With this
amount available either from cur
rent funds or raised by bond issues,
the great work of river and harbor
Improvement can be carried on
scientifically, an entire project at a
time, without political interference.
To create public sentiment and
carry out the plans of the Congress
Al directors were appointed, one
for each state, DR.. Blalock repre-
senting Washington. DR.. Blalock
has appointed Prof. W. D. Lyman
and Capt. w. D. Gray as his assist
ants and they expect to visit every
town in the state, in any way inter-
ested in river improvement, to Gre
ate sentiment, so that they can
earnestly place tefore our repre-
sentaties in Congress the need OF
carrying out the will of the people.
There will be harmonious action,
for the Western portion of our coun-
try with 5000 miles of harbor line
will demand it, the Middle West
on account of the Mississippi and
tributaries will demand it, and the
East with 1000 miles of harbor line
will demand it. The people are
united as never before for river and
harbor improvement. More work
will be accomplished in the next
three wears than ever before.
In closing, DR.. Blalock spoke OF
his former visit to Kennewick,
when subscriptions were taken for
the purchase of the Steamer Norma.
After an expert examination the
boat was found to be in bad condl-
ton and it would have been unwlse
to purchase. He urged that the
Kennewick Commercial Club rec
ommend to the subscribers to trans
fer their subscriptions to the pur-
chase of stock in a new boat like
the Almota, one of the most sue
cesstul boats ever run on the Col
umbia. Such a boat could be built
for $50, 900, and would be placed
in charge of men like Captain Gray
OF Baughman.
,<CaDtain W. P. Gray of Pasco was
the next speaker, taking the prae-
teal question of navigating the Col
nmbia and,Snake rivers. For years
he had been interested in opening
these rivers to commercial navlga-
tion and to have his work endorsed
at this late date by Congress and
unanimously favored by the people