The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-10-09
NOT UNFRlENDLY
president Sh1nts of the Glover
Leaf in an Address
Says Railways DO Not Oppose
Deep Waterways Project.
POINTS OUT DANGERS.
Says Traff C Is Mon cPd by Op.
pressive Legislation.
Government Ownership Better
Than Commission Plan.

Chicago, Oct. s.-The third and last
day Of the convention OF the lakes to
the gulf deep waterway association had
no presidential possibility listed as an
orator, but the attendance was not di-
minished nor the enthusiasm abated in
the closing gatherings. Theodore P.
Shonts, president of the Glover Leaf
Alton system and former chairman of
the Panama canal commission, was the
principal speaker. discussing THE Fu-
ture OF Rail and River Transporta-
ton
John A. Ockerson, member of the
Mississippi, river commission and re-
cent delegate from the United States to
the International Congress of Nayiga-
ton held in st. Petersburg. told What
Europe Is Doing With Waterways"
The final reports OF the various COM
mtttees we're made during two sessions.
With few, exceptions the delegates and
their families had attended a reception
and entertainment arranged for them
the previous evening by the Chicag
association Of commerce After the
closing sessions of today they were the
guests of the commercial association in
great automobile parade about the
city parks.
Mr.. ShOnts's Address.
Mr.. Shonts said in part:
waterway built by nature between the
lakes and the gulf has long ceased TO
be a local or sectional question. II has
become a matter OF national, and In
fact International Importance on ac-
count Of the effect which it promises to
have on our commerce with other
countries. 1t is therefore entitled to
the active support OF every patriot OF
America. The construction of a great
inland harbor reaching to the gulf from
the great lakes will not only develop
the whole Mississippi valley until it
becomes as great in manufacture t
Is in agriculture, but 1t VIII aid in the
future progress Of the entire nation.
II think I fairly represent the gen
eral sentiment OF their officers, when l
say that the railways Of the south do
not look on your enterprise with I'M
friendly eyes. Because We realize that
this work finished will make II posi-
Bile. and nothing else short Of the ex-
penditure of appalling sums of money
could for US TO handle the commerce
which is certain to follow the return
and firm establishment OF national
prosperity"
Mr. Shonts declared that the great
obstacles that the steam railroads have
to overcome II they are permitted to
operate and expand as the traffic Of
the country grows is the providing OF
adequate terminals and the opening OF
TINS waterway WOuiu Greatly dlu III the
solution of this question. He contin-
ued:
Interests Are Linked.
I'VE think we will all agree that oul
future as a nation depends more thar
any one thing on the character. exteni
and cost of the service our transporta
tion lines render and that We have al
ready shown that the interests OF the
rail and water lines are inseparably
linked together, so that whatever in
lures the one will to a greater or les:
extent cripple the other"
Mr.. Shonts expressed himself In favor
of necessary laws which provide FOL
wise regulation OF railroads and thel
discussed the idea Of physical opera
ton OF railways by commissions.
Therein" said Mr.. Shonts, lies thu
greatest danger which our country
faces today. The danger is not in the