The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-10-20
GREAT INTEREST
IN CONVENTION
Deep Waterways Advocates
viii Meet In New Orleans
TAFT WILL BE PRESENT
Report of Commission That Went to
Europe to Study the Continental
Waterways Will Be Given at
the Convention.

New Orleans. October 19.-(Speeial.)-
Typical of the rapidly growing public de-
mand for improved inland water freight
routes, the convention of the Lakes-to-
the-Gulf Deep Waterways association
which is to be held in New Orleans
October 49, 80 and November l and 2, will
break all records of similar gatherings
both in the matter of attendance and
prominence OF the men who will come as
delegates. Headed by President Taft
more senators, foreign diplomats, heads
of departments, congressman and leaders
in varied lines of endeavor will come to
New Orleans to take part in the proceed
ings than have ever before been gath
cred together for similar purpose on
American soil
The report of the inland waterway COM
mission on the water-carried commerce of
Europe, which is expected to be made to
the President just before the convention
assemblies, will show, among other things
that with comparatively insignificant
streams, Holland France and Germany
have succeeded in building up a monster
and hugely profitable commerce, and at
the same time saving shippers more than
two-thirds of rail-haul cost. 1t is highly
probable that the report Will also show
that this great saving has given Europe
a huge competitive advantage over Amer
lea in most of the foreign markets With
this data before it, the convention will
be in the best position in its history to
obtain proper recognition from Congress
of the justice OF its demands for a navi-
gable waterway from the great lakes to
the gulf
President Philip Werlein of the New
Orleans Progressive union, which will
entertain President Taft and the dele
gates, announces a practically completed
programme.
The battleship Mississippi. the armored
cruisers New York, Montana and North
Carolina and four torpedo boat destroy
ers will take part in the Presidents re-
cepton, and will represent the navy dur
ing convention week.
Vice President Sherman. Speaker Can
non, more than $50 congressman, between
rs and 80 governors many foreign ambas-
sailors CMr. Bryce of England and spe-
among them will attend the convention.
President Taft will arrive by boat at
the head of a fiotilla from st. Louis
Saturday, October 30, and Will be received
by gala attired New Orleans. He will
occupy apartments at the st. Charles
hotel, which is to be the official headquar-
ters of the convention.
The convention will be held at the
nh. It'll Al,
p. m. session October 80, a football game
at p. M, and the French opera at night.
the latter being one of the chief social
functions during his visit.
Sunday Mr.. Taft will attend the Uni
tartan church in the forenoon tour the
Creole quarter, visit Chalmette battle
field and deliver public address in the
Stadium on the campus of Tulane univer-
sity He will leave for the north at
p. m. next day
Monday. November l. Vice President
Sherman and Secretary OF War Dickinson
will deliver addresses before the conven-
ton. Monday night there will be a gala
performance at the French opera for the
delegates and ladies.
Tuesday Speaker Cannon will address
the convention, which will adjourn Tues
day afternoon. The delegates will then
be taken on a trip of inspection over the
harbor.
1t is expected that the resolution call
ing upon Congress to open a waterway
between the great lakes and the gulf will
have the approval of the President and
the senators and congressman present.
and enjoy the direct backing of fully %
states. Under such circumstances 1egis-
lation designed to carry the objects OF
| the I.akes-to-the-Gulf Deep waterway
association into effect should encounter
fewer obstacles than ever before.