New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-10-26
MIR. TAFT ON RIVER
Continued from first page.

has reference to the problem Of trans
portation and railways and waterways.
It is, however, only a part of a still
greater movement inaugurated by Thee
dore Roosevelt, and properly called by
him the conservation of our national re-
sources.
The mention of Mr.. Roosevelt's name
was greeted with prolonged cheering.
The President said the government Of
the United States had been exceedingly
generous in parting with its lands in the
past, and that the time had come for the
adoption of a new policy. He spoke Of
the necessity for new legislation regard
ing water power sites. to prevent monop-
olies from gaining control. Coming to
the subject Of waterways, Mr.. Taft de-
cIared that while he did not wish to
criticise there was no denying the fact
that the improvement of waterways had
been carried forward in a haphazard
fashion. and that new method should
be adopted. He added:
And right here I want to clear away
superstition which ! am afraid has
lodged in a good many minds. The
projects for irrigation and for the i'm
provement of waterways In the future
are not to be for the purpose OF distribute
| ing pork to every part OF the country
Every measure is to be adopted on the
ground that it will be useful to the whole
country. They are not 10 be adopted Tor
sending certain Congressman back 10
Washington or for making certain parts
Of the country profitable during the ex-
penditure of the money.
1t has been proposed that we issue
bonds for $500, 900 or $1,000, 100000
and cut it up and parcel the money
out in this and that section of the coun-
try l am opposed to any such propo-
sition, because it not only smells OF the
pork barrel but would be a pork
| barrel
ILLINOIS MAY SPEND $20.O00,OcO.
Governor Deneen issued an official
statement to-day in which he asserted
that the coming extraordinary session
of the General Assembly of Illinois would
| be expected to enact legislation enabling
the state officers to undertake immedis
| ateIy the S2O,OO0O0O worth of waterway
! improvements provided by the bond is
| sue recently authorized by the electorate.
ct believe that the Illinois General AS
sembly will crystalline into action the
sentiment shown here, and which will be
shown everywhere from St. Louis to New
| Orleans during the next few days" said
! the Governor. illinois should MAINTAIN
! it's leadership in waterway improve
ments. Had this states policies been
pressed by federal and state govern
ments heretofore there would have been
enough water power developed in our
public streams to pay for the entire de-
velopment of our domestic waterways.
Governor Hadley of Missouri, when IN
| Producing President Taft to the Coliseum
audience, urged that the development of
river channels into navigable ways would
| do much toward settling the transporta-
ton problem. which, he said, was the
greatest before the country to-day. He
said that while the rivers first and the
railroads later were able to care for all
the freight and passengers offered to
them, to-day neither could do it alone.
| Increased facilities for public carriers he
urged as a crying need.
President Taft made four speeches to-
day, but the longest lasted less than half
| an hour. At breakfast. as guest of
| the Commercial Club Of st. Louis, he re-
ferred to the part that body took in the
| inspection of the Panama Canal by bust
ness organizations several years ago,
speaking about fifteen minutes. AT the
| Coliseum he discussed waterways for
about twenty-five minutes. but at lunch
con with the Business Mems League of
St Louis and at the East st. Louis meet
ing he merely thanked his hearers, using
his voice less than five minutes on each
! occasion.
Il left most of my voice in Texas. tried
vainly to recover it in Arkansas, and lost
what was left of it in Missouri" he told
his Illinois auditors Except for his
hoarseness, the President looked in line
| condition and ready for the final laps of
his long journey.