The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1908-10-17

The Lake to- Gulf waterway scheme is
with permanent improve
ment of navigable rivers in the Trans
missippi country to the head OF navi-
CATION. An intercoastal canal from
the Mississippi to the Rio Grande is
The congress halls with satisfaction
the patriotic and statesmanlike utter
ances of President Roosevelt on the
subject, calls upon congress to sup
port him, recommends, if necessary,
the creation of department Of public
works and increase of the public debt,
but demands prompt and efficient ac-
ton on all projects found practicable
and useful by tho United States engi-
neers.
The dock facilities Of the Pacific
coast are declared inadequate for q
strong defensive feet, and commits
sion is recommended to prepare plans
for deep channel to Mare Island navy
yard and provide facilities for Paci-
fic battleship fleet.
Expand Merchant Marine
The United States congress is asked
to provide literally for the expansion
and maintenance of the merchant
marine and the delegates are pledged
to urge their senators and representa-
tives to support such measures. The
resolutions oppose any measure that
tends to increase the importation OF
sugar grown by cheap labor.
The transcontinental railroads are
asked to grant one way round trip
rate to Seattle during the Alaska Yu-
kon-P Pacific exposition.
The establishment of a government
steamship line between Pacific coast
ports, Central America and Panama,
unless the Pacific Mail Steamship COM
pany gives assurance of better service
is recommended ;also that congress pass
laws requiring railroads to furnish cars
promptly for livestock and perishable
products and giving the interstate COM
MERGE commission power to make rules
on the subject.
Broad Tariff Reciprocity.
Under the head of tariff reciprocity,
the resolutions say:
''We indorse the principles of reci-
procity to the end that tariff schedules
shall be made adjustable; that the
president of the United States shall be
enabled to enter into agreements re-
ciprocal trade with foreign countries,
which will admit to the widest posi-
BILE market consistent with the main
tenance of the industries of this coun-
try, the products of our country and it's
manufactures, and that in the event
of the establishment of a minimum
schedule of duties the same be made
up on truly reciprocal basis, so as to
give the opportunity to negotiate COM
mercial agreements -
Laws are recommended to regulate
grazing, subject to the rights of home
steaders, the rent to be low and to be
applied to school purposes in each vi
cinity.
The work Of the Bureau of American
Republics is commended and laws for
the development of commerce with
Latin American countries is urged.
Free right Of way and use of public
Land for water power plants, with no
burdensome charges or discrimination,
that investment may be encouraged,
uses to be controlled and regulated by
the state or nation.
Roads and trails through national
parks and forests are advocated, also
legislation, state and federal, to COM
pei lumbermen so to conduct opera
lions as not to endanger the rights of
others.
A national bureau of mines is rec
commended.
Study of the resources of the Philip.
pine islands and revision of their tariff
and other laws are recommended.
In view Of the approaching compile
ton of the Panama canal, improve
ment of all Pacific Coast and Gulf
harbors is recommended Good roads,
national and state, are advocated.
The work Of the international fish
cries commission and of the United
States fish commission is commended
and several projects for local improve
ments are are recommended.
Woman Suffrage Endorsed.
A surprise of the closing moments
OF the congress was the unanimous
adoption Of resolution indorsing suff-
rage for women and urging congress
ional representatives of the Western
states to support such action.
The resolution was presented bv
Mrs. Scipio Craig, of the California
delegation and was enthusiastically
passed.
GOVERNMENTS ATTNC