New-York tribune., 1909-11-02
MOVE ON CONGRESS-
Il W4TERW1Y LOBBY.
Conuention Demands ImWore-
ment of Mississippi.

ment OF cheers. decided to-illght to Stiu hNS
hundred lobbyists to Washington to de-
mand that Congress deepen the Mississippi
River.
This action followed day of oratory.
But when the climax came it came quick
ly, and all doubt to the temper OF the
delegates was dispeled
Charles Scott, of Mississippi. chairman OF
the committee on resolutions. had just read
his report. when Ex-Governor David r.
Francis of Missouri rose and declared:
In ono thing. at least. l agree with
President Taft, and that is. the time for
speeches has passed The way to dig this
channel is to dig it, And the people who
must dig 1t are the federal officers. me
the federal government We OF the states
cannot improve it if we would am
sick and tired of delays and excuses on
the trip down the river ! listened 70 ques,
tionS innumerable as to the feasibility ana
PRACTICAL bility of the 14-foot PLAN. The
plan has been declared practical and feas-
ibe by a board composed largely OF army
engineers. All we need is the money. the
federal government must provide that, and
hesfederal government will, If we make II.
He then offered resolution for the ap-
pointment of two delegates to visit Wash
ington. which was adopted with whoop.
The convention adjourned for the day in
a whrlwnd OF enthusiasm. President
kavanaugh will appoint the committee of
five hundred later. and the methods to be
adopted by this delegation will be decided
before the date of the National Rivers and
Harbors Congress.
In the regular resolutions bonds in small
denominations for popular issue were urged
on Congress. and "the development of the
waterways as an investment rather than
as a succession of piecemeal experiments
IaI oil i1SS tod
that a minimum depth of fourteen feet at
low water was the cardinal principle of
the association.
CANNON HEARD FROM.
Speaker Cannon was expected to be pres
ent. but when the convention opened
President Kavanaugh read the following
letter from him:
l am called to Illinois by a mandatory
telegram. Will you present my regrets 10
the convention when announcing my IN
ability to be present at the session to-day
| desire to assure the convention that
am in harmony with the earliest solution
connected with the construction of the
Lakes-to- the Gulf deep waterway. With
the adoption of the plan therefor, am
ready as citizen and a Representative to
support plan for an ample appropriation
for the speedy, effective and continuous
prosecution of the work upon such water
The time which would have been given
to Speaker Cannon was allowed To Senator
Lorimer of Illinois. Mr.. Lorimer de
scribed the birth of the waterway idea. the
troubles of its infancy. the objections and
obstacles that its creators had to face.
He said:
We had no Presidents TO assist US. We
had no congressman or Senators to help
gentlemen who. when approached about the
project, step around as though they might
them. gentlemen. want to say that I
studied this question for five years before
! was willing TO say that the plan was
feasible.
Senator Lorimer read reports showing
that a 14-foot channel was feasible
and urged a persistent fight for the plan.
He said his idea was that the best plans
was the lock ard dam system. at a cost
of S25.oooe00. or a regulation system, at
$4,000 900.
MR.. DICKINSON'S ADDRESS
In order that he might take a special
train TO join President Taft at Jackson.
Miss, Secretary Dickinson had the first
place among the speakers on the pro-
gramme. He spoke in part as follows:
The proposed improvements to naviga-
tion that now absorb our interest are OF
stupendous magnitude. and present ques-
tions involved in much controversy. Here
tofore the work has been detached. spas
pended upon the activity of merely local
influences. Now all the forces of pub
lie sentiment in the states bordering on the
mississippi and its tributaries have con-
VerSed, and there is a conclamatory cry
for ihauguratins and carrying TO a prompt
execution n comprehensive and permanent
fNtgp hat
est development that its natural transpor-
tation facilities aided by the best engineer
ing skill. can afford.
HaSty and unsOund conclusions will he
discredited by sober second thought. 1t
would be a calamity if the magnificent
enthusiasm behind this movement, which
it has taken so many years 20 evolve and
concentrate. should be a mere brutum full
men, as it will he. unless the plans in
which it finds expression carry the con
victiOn that they are sound. and promise
results commensurate with the proposed
expenditure.
We can carry ourselves off our own feet
Judgment OF the country We must meet
the test of cool. critical analysis ResoIu-
tions and assertions will not carry the day.
The opinions of the unsctentific. however
loudly and positively proclaimed are not
going TO settle a matter OF such compiled
tion AMI gravity. We may put as much
vim. snap and spiritual dynamics into our
proceedings as the most vehement lam
guage can express. but these will be use
lul OILY II JtlSy Stlntlldte TO Carefui bed
rock investigation and the formulation of
something that will appeal to the sound
judgment of the country.
MIR. Dickinson referred to statement
made by w. j. Bryan before the conven-
tion last year. that the depth of the water
way ought to be twenty-three feet He
continued:
We have got beyond such superficial treat
inent as that of this great subject. II
a fOurteen-foot depth Is necessary for the
development OF our commerce. If the re-
suits VIII be commensurate with the cost
If the traffic will move by water I'm a vol
ume propOrtionate TO the OUTLAY then
should make all this clear to unpreiudiced
and capable judgment. II these things are
so, they should be demonStrable to "A rea-
sonable certainty. II "a depth OF fourteen
feet has no advantage over that of nine
feet commensurate with the difference i'm
the cost of construction and maintenance
and If this is made reasonably certain.
then the people of the United States will
not undertake such additional useless work
and an effort to bring about such legisla-
ton VIII be waste of time and merely
postpone securing that which Is attain
able.
The report Of the special board of envi
neerS makes prima faCe case against a
depth OF fourteen feet. In q matter Of So
much moment. II would be unwise either 10
accept or reject ii until il has passed under
the most criticaI judgment of those com
petent TO deal with It, The actual prosecu
tion Of work so long maturing To the
point or Undertaking can he susDendsa
long enough to ascertain what is pructtcaIl,-
best and demonstrate il so that II viii
carry general conviction
DEFENDS FOREST SERVICE