The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1908-01-15
GOVERNORS TO
SEE CHIEF
EXECUTIVE
Send Letters TO White
Honss Regarding ImpOr-
taut Spring Conference.

WASHINGTON. Jan. 15.-Letters of
acceptance to the conference at the
White House in May already are pour
ing in ON the President from the Gov
ernors of States and territories. The
conference is called to consider the
conservation of the natural
of the United States. It will be broad
in its scope but chief among the sub
jects TO be discussed is the question of
improving the rivers of the country. so
they may be transformed into arteries
of commerce, and deepening n other
wise developing the ports that they
may be in condition to receive the
rich argosies that will carry the treas
ures of the interior to them.
All the Governors have been heard
from, except those of Alaska and
Porto Rico. Governor Walter Freer, Of
Hawaii, has his intention
of being present, and it is almost GER
tain that Governor Post, Of Porto
Rico, also, will be on hand Because
of the distance and the difficulties in
getting out, it is not likely that Cow
nrnor Hoggatt will undertake the jour-
ney from Alaska.
\ Together with the Governors there
XWil be present at the conference rep
representatives. Of a number of organiza-
s@ltions interested in the general prob
lslo1n. The National Rivers M Harbors
okCongress will be strongly in evidence,
eknd its president. Congressman Joseph
tlhE. Ransdell, of Louisiana, likely will
Hhead the delegation. The Inland Water
ways Commission, also, will take part
4 in the proceedings, which will occupy
three days.
The fact that the National Rivers
and Harbors Congress will hav such
q strong representation Is striking evil
dence of the complete sympathy eX-
tended by the administration to the
work Of the organization. 1t has been
e~ndeavoring for years to have the Fed
eral Government appropriate $50, o00, 900
annually for the improvement of the
rivers and harbor of the United
Htates. While it has had the hearty
Endorsement of President Roosevelt In
the past, 1t never was able to obtain
a direct word of communication from
Representative Theodore e. Burton,
chairman of the committee on rivers
and harbors, until its convention last
month.
And then Congressman Burton "cane
into camp In the course of a speech
TO more than 1000 = delegates from
every section of the country he
acknowledged that he believed the
time had come for the Inauguration
of a vigorous policy in the treatment
of the subject of internal improve
ments.
'How much do you think should be
appropriated each year in carrying out
this vigorous policy?'" asked former
congressman Maddox, who was pres
ent as a delegate from the South. Mr..
Z Burton hesitated. Then he took the
plunge.
Il think I can indorse your program
of not less than $780, 900, 900 a year"
he said. smiling.
The applause lasted for minutes and
then broke put afresh. The statement
meant much, for Congressman Burton
yields enormous influence in his capao-
ity as chairman of the rivers and har-
bors committee of the House. 1t is not
unlikely that hereafter a bill for river
and harbor improvements carrying
$780, 900, 900 or more will be passed an
nually.
In addition to waterways improve
ments, the Governors at the White
House conference will discuss irriga-
ton, drainage, the preservation of
forests, the water power to be derived
from streams and a half-dozen allied
topics. There will be 40 set speeches,
according to the tentative arrange
ments, but each person present has
been invited to come prepared to dis
cuss the question in which he is most
Interested.