Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-12-09
He Addresses the River
And Harbors Congress.
Tells the Delegates How. to
Get Congressional Backing.
He Still Favors Bond Issue...Wom.
en- Would Beautify Streams.

dorsing the policy of waterway i'm
provement President Taft caused much
enthusiasm during the opening hours
of the sixth convention of the Nation
al Rivers and Harbors Congress here
today Hundreds of delegates, repre-
senting every section of the United
States, filled the great banquet hall of
the New Willard, where they sat I'M
der their state banners. Men and wo-
men delegates arose and gave the
President noisy reception.
Upon being presented to the as
semblage by Joseph f. Ransdall, presi-
dent of the Congress, President Taft
spoke at length dwelling upon his in
terest in waterways Improvement, and
offered advice to the delegates upon
methods for attaining the ends they
seek.
Il congratulate this Congress" said
Mr.. Taft, ''on having brought the
subject of waterways to such a point
that the representatives in Congress-
from one end of the country to the
other, recognize it as a subject that
calls for action. They have not come
TO a definite conclusion as to the policy
have come to the conclusion that some
policy must be adopted with reference
to the development of those instru-
mentalities which nature has furnish
ed for transportation and for the con-
trolling of railroad rates.
You say in your declaration that
you are in favor of policy and not
in favor of any particular project. I
think that a wise platform to take"
After referring to various waterway
projects in detail, the President con-
tinued: "a year ago President Roose-
welt and l We're together on a platform
before the conservation of resources
convention in which we both advocat-
ed the issuing of bonds in order that
a project for improving waterways
when begun should be completed in
reasonable time. l am still a consist
ent advocate of that theory. I believe
that the government is entitled to as
rapid method of developing an en-
terprise and putting it through as
private corporations. and as they gem
orally issue bonds in order to expedite
the completion of these projects, it
would seem wise for the nation to do
so where it will accomplish the same
result.
But l want to suggest word of
caution. You are likely to get from
Congress declaration of policy in the
shape Of declaration that a certain
Improvement ought to be carried out
and spread upon the minutes of Con-
gress in the form of a resolution or a
declaration in statute. What I advise
you to do is to get that declaration.
Then when the time comes that politi-
cal eXigency shall prevent the appro-
priation of sufficient lands from the
current revenues 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.
'"That may not meet your views, but
know where you are going to enccun
ter opposition and l believe the best
way is the natural way with these gen.
tlemer of Congress. Get them recorded
in the statutes of this country as de.
ciarlng that the several projects are to
be carried out and let them make their
first appropriation from the revenues
OF the country and there you have them
where they must issue bonds unless
the revenues afford a sufficient amount
each year TO carry that project on |
economically and with due rapidity."
The President was frequently inter-
rupted by applause and left the hall |
amid renewed cheering. Count Won
Bernstorff, the German ambassador,
spoke of the waterways of the German /
empire.
The afternoon session was devoted to
many speeches by delegates favoring
prompt action by Congress in providing
means for waterway Improvement.
Those who spoke q included Senator
Chamberlain of Oregon, Albert Bet
moor If Or'n. GOV. Hadley of Mis-
souri,. Gov. Weeks Of Connecticut and
Rep JOHN DalzeH and George Burgess