Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-10-22
CONGRESS- CALLED
National Waterways Meeting at
Washington, D. c., Decem-
Der a, 5 and 8.
UNIFORM POLICY FAVORED
Platforms of Two Leading Parties Be-
ing Favorable Body Will In
sist Upon Early Action.

Inc Ofhclal call Tor the next meet
ing of the National Rivers and Har.
bors congress follows:
This call is issued by the board &C
directors, acting under authority of
a resolution passed by the last con
vention OF the congress held at Wash.
ington, D. c.. Dec. i, and 6, 1907, to
which. there were 1878 properly ac.
credited delegates representing 81
states and two territories OF the
union.
The improvements of the waterways
of the nation. which this national con-
vention will advocate and discuss,
| means increased and cheapened trans
portation facilities for the producer
and the consumer. and there is no
question before the American peopl,
more worthy of their serious thought
| and consideration than the proper de
velopment and utilization of these nat
ural and economic channels of trade
and transportation.
| Policy. Not Project.
The National Rivers and Harbors
congress advocates a policy, not a
project; it represents no particular
section or project but is the direct
representative of all sections that have
a meritorious claim for the improve.
ment of a river, lake, harbor OF
a canal This national organization
with delegates from every part of the
lunion-in national convention assem-.
bled, will advocate and stand for a
broad, liberal comprehensive policy
for the Improvement by the fedora
government of all waterways tina,
have been examined and favorably re-
ported upon by the United States
army engineers and by them recon
lmended to the congress of the United
States as worthy of Improvement for
the benefit of the commerce of the
country.
The platforms of the two great pc
litical parties have unequivocally en-
ldorsed and declared for the improve
nent of the waterways of the country
and by this declaration have practi
cally approved the platform of the Ma
tional Rivers and Harbors congress
The improvement of our rivers and
harbors is thus taken out of the pc
litical field and placed on the roll OF
business questions, the solution Of
which are demanded by all sections
and all branches of trade and com
merce from their representatives in
the congress of the United States.
Best Time and Place.
4 The national convention, held at the
nations capital. in the presence of the
nations lawmakers assembled for the
second session of the Goth congress
Il affords the best place and the bes'
time for all friends of improved water
; ways to demand of their representa-
ives that party pledges be. carried
? out and river and harbor improve
|, |ments placed upon permanent basis
commensurate with their. Importance
to the commercial. manufacturing ant
agricultural welfare of all the peopl,
of the union.
To this end and. to accomplish thi
| great purpose. You who receive thi
are cordially invited and earnestly re
quested to be present at Washington
Dee. 8, 10. II. 1908. Every courtes,
and privilege OF the meeting will. b
extended to you and to those you ma
bring with you. Very respectfully,
NATIONAL RIVERS AND HARBOR'
CONGRESS.
Joseph E. Ransdell, President.
lJs F. Ellison, Secretary.