New-York tribune., 1908-05-19
NEEDS OF WATERW AVS
Louisiana Congressman Says Nation
Is Behind the Times.

New York is the metropolis of the Western
Hemisphere and in this state you are trying to
build Ie-foot waterway. But they are going to
build a 2l-fdbt waterway in Canada connecting the
Great Lakes with the st. Lawrence. Then you will
have TO look to your lsures against Montreal
This was one of the words brought by Congress
Joseph E Ransdell, of louisiana president OF
the National Rivers and Harbors Congress to rep
resentatives OF the press of this city. whom a
dinner was given last night TO meet some of those
interested in the developing the national waterways
and to listen to their arguments in favor of com-\
prehensive system Of accomplishing this great
work. The obvious thing do. he said, was to
connect this city with the great Middle West by
inland waterways.
That only per of the total appropriations Of
the government should be given improvement
Of waterways. while 81 per cent were devoted to
national defence and the rewards OF war Con-
gresham Ransde said was distinctly unfair 70
the business interests of the nation. Our country,
he said, had national programme for the de-
velopment OF her waterways and II 70 educate
the people TO the Importance Of such policy of
waterway development that the National Rivers
and Harbors Congress had been organized.
Under the old haphszard policy of development
Congressman RansdeH showed that less than
half the amount needed to cary out the plan for
widening the Harlem ship canal to $50 feet and
deepening it TO fifteen feet had been appropriated
by Congress in the last twenty-five years. Only
one-tenth Of the needed 10 carry out the
proposition TO deepen the Ohio to six feet at mean
had been appropriated in the last quarter
of a century. Under such system he said,
what chance have other waterways of the
country
The opposition Of the railroads 10 the develop
ment of waterways is a thing OF the past Con-
gresham RansdelI believes Il firmly believe that
II they relieved of carrying the bulky prod
ucts.' he said, they could add their profits We
greatly behind Germany. France. Holland. Bel
gum and even Canada in waterway systems, and
if going 10 make progress commercially we
must develop waterways, which are among the
greatest Of natural resources.
President Roosevelt his Memphis speech,
said Congressman E @ Ellis, of Kansas City,
member of the River and Harbors Committee Of
the House and president of the Missouri River I'M
provement Association. said had been taken
off our feet by the development Of railroads. We
were not only taken of feet, but We were put
to bed and to sleep-Tnade Indifferent to the value
Of our great waterways.
Congressman J. H. Davidson. of Wisconsin,
chairman Of the House Committee Railroads
and Canals and a member of the Committee on
Rivers and Harbors. presented some interesting
statistics 10 show how waterways had benefited
the shipper in lowering freight rates
Speeches were also made by John A. Fox. special
director Of the Rivers and Harbors Congress VINO
is TO work up interest in the movement IN thls
section of the country: Rolo Ogden. of The Even
ing Post; John F. Crowell OF The WaH street
Journal" and others.
Among others present John Cosgrove, OF
.Eyerybodys Magazine; John a. Sleicher, OF
"LesIie's'': DR.. Q. S. Marsden, OF Success Rod
ert Underwood johnson. OF the Century; A Z.
Johnson OF Worlds Work; Hamilton Holt, OF
The Independent" and H. J. Rowland, of The
Outlook