The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-11-02
MONSTER LOBBY
 IN RIVER FIGHT Waterways Men Will Move
 on Washington. DEMAND GOVERNMENT ACTION Decisive Step Taken Along Line of Taft's Suggestion. Five Hundred Men win Appear Before Rivers and Harbors Committee In Behalf of Great Ditch from Lakes to Gulf of
DEMAND GOVERNMENT ACTION

] ident Taft's suggestion that the time l for oratory was past. the Lakes-to- | the-Gulf Deep Waterways Convention. to the accompaniment or cheers late this evening decided to send 500 lobby ists to Washington to demand that Congress deepen the Mississippi | River.
 lowed day of oratory. But when the climax came, 1t came quickly, and 1 all doubt as to the temper of the dele gates was dispelled.
 Charles. Scott of Mississippi, chair man of the Committee on Reso1ut tions, had Just completed the reading of his report and perfunctory applause was dying away when Former Governor David Francis of Missouri secured recognition from the chair. In a voice tense with suppressed feeling. | the former executive and cabinet of- | fcer declared:
 "In one thing, at least. agree with President Taft and that is the time for speeches has passed.
 The way to dig this canal Is to dig 1t. And people who must dig 1t | are the Federal officers. The Mis- siSHIpDl ttlVcT lH unQ6T tue cOHITOI or the Federal Government We of the States cannot improve 1t if we would. Tired of Delays. T 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 practicability of the fourteen-foot plan. The plan has been declared practical and feasible by board composed largely of army engineers. All we need Is the money, The Federal Government must provide that and the Federal Government will, if we make them.
 "Thet& fore, 4sir. move the adoption of the following resolution:
 Resolved, That the President of the Lak kes-to- -the-Gulf Deep Waterway As- sociation be requested to appoint 500 l delegates from our organization to visit Washington and to present to the proper committees of Congress and to the heads of our Government, the resolutions adopted by this conven- tion and at the same time to act as delegates to the Rivers and Harbors Congress to be held in that city. Dec. 8, g and TO-"
 There was silence for a moment in the big hall. where the dusk of night fall was but lightly dispelled by the
 
 moment. Then some one turned loose an old d-fashioned rebel yell and the resolution was adopted with a whoop. In the confusion of the moment, 1t is doubtful if ten delegates of all those present knew that the regular report of the Resolution Committee had been adopted.
 Reviews Work of Association.
 Chairman Scott prefaced the read ing of the resolutions with a rather lengthy speech. which reviewed the work of the association during the three years of its existence. The res- olutIons themselves were lengthy. They declared the constitutional rights of the people for a government by the people, and insisted that the Federal Government should and shall, with out needless delay. enter upon def- mite policy and plan of waterway de- yelopment. beginning with the inn movement of the Mississippi and Illi- nois Rivers, as the main trunk or great waterways system in such manner as to open effective navigation between the Gulf of Mexico and the Great Lakes such main trunk line to he developed without dlsparagement of and constant reference to the con- current development of the tributaries. lakes. bays, bayous and sounds of all sections of the country and the canals and connecting passages required In and for a compreh ensive system of inland navigation adapted to our great and rapidly growing commercial needs.
 Reasons for Demands.
 The resolutions next recited the req sons for these demands, one Of which was that the people of the Mississippi valley composed more than one-half of tha population of the United States. The reports of the engineering board appointed by Congress were discussed at length the arguments or the op- ponents were condemned and de- mand was made for further informa- ton as to the use of waters in all ways affecting navigation.
 Popular bonds in small denomtna- tions for popular issue was one of the things urged upon Congress. and "the department of waterways as an invest ment rather than as a solution or piecemeal experiments" was demand ed.
 But above all. it was insisted that a minimum depth of four feet at low water was the one cardinal purpose of the association. The convention ad- tourned for the day in a whirlwind of enthusiasm, which was set off by Former Governor Francls's speech.
 The report of the resolution commit tee was preceded by speeches of form CT Governor Blanchard, of Louisiana; Governor A. O. Eberhart. of Minnesota and Congressman Gran. of Illinois.
 President Kavanaugh will appoint his committee of five hundred later, and the methods to be adopted by this monster delegation will be decided upon before the date of the National River and Harbors Congress.
 
 Conservative Men Meet,