The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-12-15
Congressman Richardson Asks
for $5O,OOO,OOO for Work
DEFINITE PLANS NEEDED
Richardson Declares That Congress
Should Adopt a Permanent Pol
Icy To Be Carried Out as
Business Proposition.

Washington, December 14.-Advocating
the adoption of a definite waterway
policy by the United States government,
Representative Richardson of Alabama
delivered an extended speech in the
House today, in which he proposed the
expenditure of s5oooo.ooo for the improve
ment of the Mississippi river and its
tributaries.
Mr.. Richardson said it was a great mis-
take to say that the demand on the part
of the people of the country to have
Congress adopt some plan or policy for
the early Improvements of our inland
waterways was merely a species of popu-
lar hysteria-
There are sound, logical reasons for
this demand" said the speaker ut was
truly business proposition and ought
to be so treated by Congress"
Mr.. Richardson continuing, said:
1T behooves us at the threshold to I'M
derstand the stupendous undertaking it
will be to unity by any general plan, or
policy for commercial benefit, our dis
connected waterways"
Mr.. Richardson said that no policy that
Congress might adopt should apply at
this time to all the waterways of the
country.
Amy policy recommended" said he, lis
In the nature of a permanent one ana
the most favorable section of the coun-
try in which to make that experiment
and give benefit to the whole country is
the Mississippi river system improve
ment.'
In reference to the policy of issuing
bonds, Mr.. Richardson said
'If Congress has hitherto recognized a
waterway as worthy of Improvement fed
eral appropriations recommended now OF
a similar nature should be given equal
consideration and honored with appro-
priations recommended on surveys and
estimates made by engineers of the war
department for continuing contract. l
feel this is a sufficient basis on which
Congress should be justified to issue bonds
even to the amount of $50,9o0.00o am
nually for 10 consecutive years, and
shall vote for the same
Taft's Message Taken Up.
Washington, December 1A-Taking up
the Presidents annual message to Con-
gress, the House of Representatives to-
day went through the formality of re-
ferring it and distributing 1t among the
various committees.
Mr. Payne who brought In the resolu-
tion for reference. offered an amendment
providing that those paragraphs relating
to appropriations should be referred to
what he designated as the sleeping
committees on departmental expenditures,
of which there is one for each depart
ment.
Explaining his amendment, Mr.. Payne
said:
For the first time in my recollection
a President In wise and well chosen words
has pointed out the necessity. of economy
in expenditures in the various govern
ment departments" sH tV
when Mr.. Fitzgerald of New York in
terrupted Mr. Payne to question him
about the amendment, the republican
leader sharply exclaimed: "The gentle
man from New York can never get rid
Of the idea that someone Is trying to
hoodwink somebody"
"I am sorry my colleague can never
get rid of the idea of trying to befozz.e
somebody with his resolutions, was Mr..
Fitzgerald's hot retort. The amendment
and the resolution were adopted.
Warning of the nations unpreparedness
for war was given by Representative Hop-
son of Alabama in an extended speech
in favor of q more extended naval pol
icy, delivered while the House was in the
committee of the whole. Mr.. Richardson.
his colleague, seized the same opportun-
ity to make a speech OF more, than an
hours duration in advocacy of liberal
waterways policy, particularly affecting
the Mississippi river and Its tributaries.
Representative McDermott OF Illinois
spoke briefly, while general debate was
permitted In favor of free wood pulp.
The District of Columbia bill. carrying
an appropriation of more than 900
for the expenses of the district during
the fiscal year of 1911, was reported. as
were also several invalid pension bills.
The latter were read and passed. 4a
The House today agreed to take recess
next Tuesday over the holidays, voting
to reconvene on Tuesday. January 4.
Faults of Cotton Exchanges.
washington, December H-1n view of
many criticisms and MISUNDERSTANDING
of the public as to summaries of the re-
port upon the operation of the cotton
exchanges, issued by Herbert Knox
Smith, commissioner of corporations in
the department of commerce and labor,
the Associated Press today requested a
clarifying statement Commissioner