The Cairo bulletin., 1908-10-08
CANDIDATE STRONGLY ENDORSES s
PLAN AS A POLICY AND NOT
A PROJECT.
ILLINOIS TO TIE Front 7
Because Waters From all Interior
Streams Pass the State--Develop-
ment of National Resources
Urged-President's
Report.

Chicago, Oct. IA picture of day
when stately ships shall carry ricI
products fthe central states from tn
Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico
through deep waterways. returnini
with products of no less value wa
coniured up today by the delegatea
and visitors to the convention of The
Lakes.to.the,Gulf Deep Waterways AS
sociation by able speakres, headed D.
Judge William H. Taft.
Today's utterances were authority
for they came from Secretary Saund
ers of the association; President Kav
anaugh, president of the organizations,
Governor Deneen, of Illinois. who
spoke of the first link of the great
waterway-the Chicago Drainage
Canal--and Taft, who had the general
supervision on the Washington end
of the building of the Panama Canal,
until he resigned to become the Re.
publican presidential nominee.
The need of such waterways was
insisted upon by every speaker. The
question of transportation, it was de.
clared Is one of the most serious aues
tions with which this country has to
deal.
Not Project But Policy.
Taft's assertion that not only deep
waterways but a conservation of the
national resources, were related sub.
jects which called for immediate az
tion, elected great applause. His
statement that the waterway was not
a project, but policy, found ready
response in the cheers of his audi
tors.
If there had been any doubt. as to
the need of the Lakes-tothe-Gulf wat
erway among the thousands of dele
gates and visitors gathered from all
parts fthe country. they were dis
PEELED when Taft said
I'VE find that during ten years. end
ing with 1905. the international com
meree of our country had increased |
1lS per cent while railroad transpor. !
tation facilities during that same time |
increased only 20 per cent. 1t has |
been pointed out that to supply this |
deficiency because of the construction |
of additional railroads and necessary |
terminals would require an investment |
of $5.50O,O00,0OO and this construction
when completed, would make no pro-
vision for the further increase of our
commerce"
The only solution to this problem,
the speaker found in deep waterways.
Illinois Plays Prominent Part.
The convention opened at 10 o'clock
with a prayer by Bishop Samuel Fal.
lows, of Chicago. William X. Kavan.
augh, president of the association de-
livered the annual address and Viii
liam r. Saunders. secretary, read his :.
report The appointment of various
were then made.
At this juncture Judge Taft entered /,
the stage and was presented by Coz
ernor Deneen. The orchestra struck
up The Star Spangled Banner" and
the crowd. which filled the big audi
lorium cheered and waved small Am
arican flags which had been given to
every visitor upon entering the hall.
Governor Deneen said in introdue-
ing the speaker Of the day:
~Our state occupied a unique posi-
ion with reference TO the matters
Nhich you are here to discuss. II is
owest in elevation and the most uni
orm in topography in the Mississippi
Valley. and because Of that the
waters Of continent. the interior
waters. those Of the Ohio. the Tennes-
.ee. the Cumberland. the Missouri AMI
ryper Mississippi pass our state on
heir way to the sea and across our
tate too. must be forged the final INK
rhich will connect the Great Lakes ,
With the Gulf.
within two years Of the adjourn
neRt Of your FIRST convention cur leg 7
stature submitted TO the people an
mendmsnt 10 the constitution. which
--si aIlnE IS 10 incur N L.leInass