The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-11-02
Deep Waterways Convention
Passes Resolutions
Calling for a 14-FOOt Channe
in the Mississippi.
A LOBBY OF 500 MEN
Will Be Sent to Washington to
Influence Congress
To Provide the Money for the
Undertaking.

New Orleans, Nov. 2.-Adopting
President Taft's suggestion that the
time for oratory was past, the lakes
to-the-gulf deep waterways conven-
ton to the accompaniment of cheers
decided to send five hundred lobbyists
to. Washington to demand that con-
gress deepen the Mississippi river.
The action of the convention fol-
lowed day of oratory.
Charles Scott of Mississippi, chair
man of the committee, had just COM
pleted reading his report when for
mer Governor David r. Francis of
Missouri secured recognition from the
chair.
I'm one thing at least I agree with
President Taft and that is the time
for speeches has passed. said he.
THE way to dig this channel is to
dig it and the people who must dig
1t are the federal officers. The Mis-
sissippi river is under control of the
federal government.
I'VE of the state can not improve it
if we would.
81 want to say to you that I am
sick and tired Of delays and excuses.
On the trip down the river I listened
to questions innumerable as to- the
feasibility and practieabi1ity of the
14-foot plan. The plan has been de-
clared practicable and feasible, by, a
board composed largely OF army en-
gineers. All we need is the money and
the government must provide that
we make them. Therefore. sir, l
move, the adoption of the following
resolution:
Resolved, That the president of
the Lakesto-the-Gulf Deep Water
way association be requested to ap-
point five hundred delegates from our
organization to visit Washington and
to present to the proper committee of
congress and to the heads of our
government the resolution adopted by
this convention and at the same time
to act as delegates to the rivers, and
harbors congress to-bs@held@ in that
city, December 8, 9 and TO-"
Went With Whoop.
There was silence for moment
Then some one turned loose an old
fashioned rebel yell and the resolution
vas adopted with whoop. In the con-
fusion of the moment. it is doubtful il
ten delegates of all those present knew
that the regular report of their reso-
lutions committee had been adopted
The resolution declared that the fed
eral government should without de-
lay enter upon a definite policy and
plan of waterway development. begin
ring with the improvement of the Mis-
sissippi- and Illinois rivers as, main
trunk of a great waterways. system, in
such way as to open effective navi-
cation between the Gulf of Mexico and
the Great Lakes. such main trunk line
tc be developed with no disparagemend
of and constant reference to the con-
current development of the tributar-
ies.''
The resolutions next recited the rea-
sons for these demands. one of which
was that the Mississippi valley con
tains more than one-half of the popu-
lation of the United States.
Popular bonds in small denomination
for popular issue was one of the
things urged upon congress and 'ths
development of the waterway as an in
vestment rather than a success sion Of
riecemeal experiments was demand.
ed.
But above all. it was insisted thaT
a minimum depth of Ii feet at low wa
ter was the one cardinal principle o.
the association. The convention ad
journed for the day in a whiriwind @
enthusiasm which was set off by for.
mer Governor Francis speech.
President Kavanaugh will appoint hi.
committee of 500 later and the meth
cd to be adopted by this monster dele
CATION will be decided upon before tht
date of the national rivers and har'
b0rs convention.