The Washington times., 1908-12-10
Speaker Declares Himself
Against Big Bond Issue
Proposition
WILLING TO SUPPORT
AN APPROPRIATION
Frankly Admits Not Being for
Measure He Considers TO
Be Unreasonable.

With the declaration that should the
Rivers and Harbors Committee OF Con-
gress report a waterways appropriation
bill. calling for a bond issue Of sl,O00,-
O00,O0O at per cent. he would vote
against II. Speaker Joseph G. Cannon,
OF the House Of Representatives. this
morning threw a decided damper upon
the deliberations Of the National Rivers
and Harbors Congress in a speech
which had as its keynote conservatism
ana procedure along practical lines.
experimenting this remark. however.
the Speaker stated that he would vote
for any appropriation projected by the
Rivera and Harbors Committee uncer
the leadership OF Representative Bur-
ton, calling for a survey OF every water
ways project that should appear prac-
tical and expedient.
The appearance Of Speaker Cannon
on the platform served as a signal for
an enthusiastic demonstration, similar
to the one accorded Andrew Carnegie
yesterday, which was participated in by
more han 1000 delegates.
Careful Of Speech.
The first few minutes Of his speech
indicated that he diG not intend TO COM
nit himself as favoring an enormous
I appropriation for waterways improve
ment until the project had been thor
oughly exploited and a careful policy
Of procedure had been adopted He con-
stantly declared that he wished to be
frank with the delegates to the con-
vention, and that under no circum-
stances would he announce himself as
( favOring any plan which did not ap-
pear to him to be reasonable and prac-
J ticable at the present time
/ At the conclusion OF his speech, 9. T.
I AtChinsOn, OF Pennsylvania, gained the
floor and asked If Speaker Cannon
would vote ior an appropriation Of
| S400, 900 900 for the waterways projects al
ready outlined By Government en-
/ gtneers. When President Ransdeu
/ turned to repeat the question TO the
leader OF the House IL was found that
| he had made his exit, during the ap-
plause which followed his address. and
{ therefore. the question OF Mr.. Atchin-
{ son remained unanswered.
Attendance Larger.
When the second day OF the Congress
convened this morning the attendance
of delegates was found 10 be consider
ably larger than that which was pres
ent at the opening session yesterday.
Following the announcement that Vice
President and Mrs Fairbanks would
| entertain the delegates at their home
between and 8 this afternoon. former
United States Senator Anthony Hig-
gins Of Delaware was introduced as the
first speaker.
| Mr.. Higgins referred 20 Champ Clark 5
statement that Congress would have al
ready carried out what the country de-
| sires in the way Of river and harbor
improvement had II been submitted with
a comprehensive plan. lie then said
that President Roosevelt's message was
| a submission TO Congress OF a cOmpTe-
hensiVe plan, when u stated than Con-
! gress should carry out the plans that
are now ready for execution, so that
eventually they may all ht 10 one gen
eral plan Of extended waterways i'm
prOvement. He j clared, in conclusion,
| that If the various sections Of the cOun-
~ will carry out heir separate and dis
unct projects, they can bring them ali at
| last into the concrt -s whole
J Uncle J,e Cheered.
After the applause subsided, follow
ing the introduction Of Speaker Cannon
he alluded in his opening remarks 10
/ the fact that he would probably be
| Speaker Of the House only a short
while Cries Of No, No, followed this
| remark and a second demonstration fol
lowed in which practically all Of the
| delegates rose to their feet and cheereo
Justify for Uncle Joe.
.sIf Won are disappointed In the action
of Congress said Speaker Cannon
s.vou at least win not have the right
TO saw that one Representative lied to
Won. 1t is one thing to talk in con-
vention and another TO legislate what
is practical. I agree with you that the
great waterways of the country are to
be sufficiently improved. but nobody in
| this assembly would want Congress
during the next sixty days to commit
the people to a heavy and hastily ar
ranged bond issue.
Not After Delay.
Il am not saying get a project SC
that Congress can secure delay, but be
cause 1 want the improvement TO b,
Continued on Ninth Page)