The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-12-09
Address Before Rivers and Har-
bors Congress Is Received
With Enthusiasm
OPPOSITION TO PLANS
MUST Be OVERCOME
One Congressman Opposes the Bond
Issue Plan Because He Does Not
Think the Time Ripe for
Such Project.

Washington, December S--Spealing in
terway Improvement President Taft
stirred up much enthusiasm during the
opening hours of the sixth convention
of the National Rivers and Harbors con-
gress here today. Hundreds of delegates,
representing every section of the United
States. filed the great banquet hall of
the New Willard hotel where they sat un-
der their state banners. Men and women
delegates arose when the arrival of the
President was announced and gave their
visitor noisy reception, concluding the
demonstration with three cheers and a
tiger.
Upon being presented to the assem-
blage by Joseph E. RansdeIl president
of the congress, President Taft spoke at
length, dwelling upon his interest in the
policy of waterway Improvement and
offered advice to the delegates upon
methods for attaining the ends they
seek.
Taft's Address.
81 congratulate this congress-" said
Mr.. Taft, ION having brought the SUBJ
Ject of waterways to such a point that
the representatives in Congress from one
end of the country to the other recognizes
II as a subject that calls for action. They
have not come to a definite conclusion as
to the policy that ought to be adopted,
but they have come to the conclusion
that some policy must be adopted with
reference to the development of those in
strumentalitfes which nature has fur
nished for the transportation of goods
and for the controlling of railroad rates.
you, in your declaration, say that
you are in favor of policy and not in
favor of any particular project. I think
that a wise platform to take. and yet
when 1t comes to the political enforce
ment and accomplishment of something,
you have got to get into projects.
Now, I don't think I betray secret
when 1 say that the gentleman who has
most to do with the initiation of pro-
jects in Congress Is fully charged with
the necessity for doing something in the
next Congress to foreshadow. or rather
to begin a policy with respect to those
rivers
Bond Issue Favored.
After referring to various waterways
projects in detail the President con-
tinued:
"A yesr ago President Roosevelt and
were together on a platform before
the conservation of resources convention
in which we both advocated the issuing
of bonds in order that project for i'm
proving waterways when begun should be
completed In reasonable time. 1 am
still consistent advocate of that theory
believe that the government is entitled
to as rapid a method of developing an
enterprise and putting it through as pri-
vate corporations, and as they always
issue bonds, or generally do (some of
them are fortunate enough to have to).
in order to expedite the completion of
these projects, it would seem wise for
the nation to do SO when 1t will accom-
plish the same result.
but want to suggest a word of eau
ton. You are going to encounter In Con-
sress great opposition to the policy of
issuing bonds right out Of hand You
are much more likely to get from Con-
gress declaration of policy in the shape
Of declaration that a certain improve
,nent ought to be carried out and spread
upon the minutes Of Congress in the form
of a resolution, or a declaration in a
statute. What advise you to do Is to
get that declaration. Then, when the
time comes that political exigency shall
prevent the appropriation of sufficient
money from the current revenue to put
the proper part of the project through
the coming year or the coming two years
as economy requires, then the question
of issuing bonds will arise. I would get
the declaration first and not have the
bonds first for the reason that you will
encounter the objection by Congress that
the issuing OF bonds and the receipt of
money will develop desire to be ex-
travagant.
Opposition to Plans.
''That may not meet your views, but
/ have thought 1t over and know some
thing about Congress- know where
you are going to encounter opposition and
believe the best way is the natural
way with those gentlemen. You lead them
on to declare In favor of the Missouri
Improvement in favor of the st. Louis to
Ct Paul improvement, in favor of the
Cairo to ST. Louis Improvement. in favor
of the Ohio improvement all of which
have been approved by the army en-
eineers, and get them recorded In the
statutes of this country as declaring that
those things are to be carried out and
let them make their first appropriation
from the revenue of the country and then
you have them where they must issue
Z bonds unless the revenue affords
sufficient amount each year to carry
that project on economically and with
The president was frequently inter-
rupted with applause and left the hall
amid renewed cheering
Count Won Bernstorff, the German am
bassador, spoke Of the waterways OF the
German empire arousing the utmost in,
terest by the graphic manner in which
ne showed their Importance to the com-
merce Of Germany.
RansdeII's Report.
President Ransdel read his annual re-
port. which not only reviewed the work
that had been accomplished during the
past year, but gave encouragement for
the oaTly achievement Of the aims of the