The Cairo bulletin., 1909-11-02
DEEP WATERWAY ADHERENTS
WILL SEND 500 LOBBYISTS
TO WASHINGTON AT ONCE

btdIltu ny FIdutiS SptcCu.
The addresses of Representative
Ransdell, of Louisiana, president Of
the national rivers and harbors con-
giess, Secretary of War Dickinson
and Chief Forester Pinchot were the
principal features of the second days
session OF the deep waterways con-
yention. Many Of those counted upon
to participate in today's discussions
had departed This was especially
hrue this afternoon, only about a
hundred being present VIXEN the late
afternoon session opened,
Speaker Cannon's Letter.
Speaker Cannon was expected to
speak today, but he sent President
kayanaugh the following letter:
Il am called to Illinois by manda-
tory telegram. VIII you present my
regrets | assure the convention that
am in harmony with the earliest So
luton practicable of the engineering
problems in connection with the con
struction of the Lakes-to-the-Gulf
Deep Waterway. With the adoption
OF a plan, thereon, am as ready as
any citizen and representative to SUP
port the plan for ample appropriations
for a speedy, effective and continuous
prosecution of the work upon such a
waterway until it is finished.
Senator [ oriner
The time allotted to Mr. Cannon was
given to Senator Lorimer, of Illinois.
Mr.. Lorimer described the birth of the
waterway idea, the troubles of its in
fancy, the objections and obstcles its
creators faced. He said;
"We had no presidents to assist us:
no congressman nor senator's to help
us. Even now certain gentlemen,
when approached about the project,
step around as though they might
tramp upon eggs. But | don't blame
them. | studied the question five
years before was willing to say that
the plan was feasible | went to the
army engineers. river pilots and othe-
experts. They said the scheme was
simply ont of the question.
! Lorimer discussed the gradual
change in the view Of the engineers
read recent reports showing that Q
fourteen foot channel was feasible
and pleaded for the persistent fight
! for the II foot plan. He said his idea
was that the best plans were a lock
and dam system at the cost of $25,
100000 or the regulation system OF
$50, 100000.
Lorimer pointed out that the Ohio
and Missouri rivers must be improved
in order to minimize the effects OF
| their silt discharges in to Mississippi
and that the term IA foot channel
meant minimum 1t meant, he said
| that there might be as much as "a
| feet of water in the channel -four
months every year.
The launching of these various
questions in connection with the i'm
provement plans of the Mississippi
and its tributaries caused animated
discussions. The sentiment was divid
| ed; some were disposed to follow the
advice of Taft and decide just what
was feasible and advisable before go
| ing ahead, but the vast majority chung
to the slogan "14 feet through the
valley"
Tribute to Women.
A surprise was sprung this after
noon when President Kavanaugh
said; When two years ago, the Won
ans National River and Harbor Con
gress was organized, many laughed
Today that congress has member
ship of $500. When we have the
women with us, we must win. | wan
to present Mrs. Hoyle Tompkies, o.
Shreveport. La, president of tho
Woman's Rivers and Harbors Con
gresa'.
President Ranadel Speaks.
"The demands of commerce fully
warrant large expenditure to con
meet our Great Lakes and the Gul
with waterway of suitable dimen
sions for all present and PROSPECTIVE
needs National pride prompts
strongly. We need this connection /
order to permit free interchange b.
cheap water transportation between
the nnumeI able cities and towns o
the Mississippi Valley and those 0
the Great Lakes"
Thus Representative Joseph /