Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-07

REPRESENTATIVES, ID. S.ALEXANDER
States relies on the disinterested and eff
fcient work of such of its citizens whose
learning may contribute toward reaching
solution satisfactory to the interests OF
the republic.
THE presence here of the first mag
istrate of this country, whose personality
commands all respect both at home and
abroad gives a special luster to your
meetings and "a stimulus which must
greatly encourage you all.
THE solving of your river and harbor
problems is of the greatest Importance
to my country, not only on account of
the knowledge to be derived from your
studies, but also because of the influence
that wise solution may have on inter
national commerce.
THE facilities offered by river works
for the Improvement Of navigation and of
port works, which increase their capacity
while affording the necessary security for
shipping, must need have an influence IN
your international trade, as they con-
tribute to reduce the cost and increase
the rapidity of transportation.
Thus, il all the countries In the world
are to follow attentively the progress
of Your study Of this subject, your two
neishbors, Canada on the north and Mex
leo on the south, both represented here.
are particularly bound to do SO. and you
also are interested in knowing what your
neighbors. to whom you are bound by I'M
portant commercial ties, are doing In the
matter.
I'm conclusion. allow me, gentlemen, to
express my earnest wishes for the happy
outcome of your labOrs, that Will doubt
less contribute to the increased greatness
Of this country, which Is an example OF
what intelligence and labor may achieve
when used in the cause Of progress"
Popular Sentiment Created.
Representative Alexander Of New York,
chairman Of the House committee on
rivers and harbors, congratulated the
congress upon its efficient work in arous-
ing a healthier and more general public
sentiment in behalf Of waterway improve
ment.
There was a time" said he. when
those upon whom fell the labor and re-
sponsibility of recommending apprOprta-
tons felt that only those were interested
in the work who directly and Immediately
profited by the expenditure of the money.
1t could readily be recalled that when
river and harbor bills were introduced
one or more members of the House chai-
lenged their need, enlarged upon their
wastefulness and assailed individual ap-
~
projects for the improvement Of the great
inland rivers. But the intelligent efforts
of this body, representative OF every To-
cality and devoted to the proper and
prompt improvement OF the more impor-
tant waterways, have been helpful to
legislation by creating a sentiment which
makes for the betterment OF water trans
portation routes.
1.-The readiness Of the Rivers and Har-
bors Congress to seize upon the &C
complishment OF the end in view has
best been demonstrated, perhaps, In the
early espousal Of an annual river and
harbor bill The experience of business
men quickly called for business methods.
and the elimination of the uncertainties
of legislation became a rallying cry. The
efficiency of an annual river and harbOr
bill has been demonstrated by sixteen
years experience. 1t meant certainty of
appropriations. it satisfied the Corps Of
Engineers, it safeguarded the early COM
pletion Of projects, and 1t combined econ
omy with the best business methods.
Hostility to river and harbor improve
But now that such hostility is eliminated
no good reason exists why it should not
be restored.
To Restore Annual Bill.
An earnest effort to do so will be
made at this session Of Congress. The
engineers have opened tho way by SUBJ
hitting minimum estimates for single
year. and If the policy of the rivers and
harbors committee is adopted a bill can
he enacted into law moderate in amount
fair to all sections of the country dis.
. eliminating in it's selection of projects
and helpful In the speedy completion OF
great improvements.
The engineers estimates, reducing the
cost of maintenance to it's lowest terms
has eliminated the fear often expressed
that the maintenance OF completed prof.
cots would OF itself make river and har.
Dor appropriations oppressive: but the
ngures submitted render such q feaI
groundless. since they show that 13f
localities, including all the great harbors
or the country, with that of New York
ana us celebrated Ambrose channel. car
ne maintained for less than two millions
and a quarter"
Referring to the Ohio, Mississippi and
Missouri rivers, Mr.. Alexander expressed
me opinion that as surely as trade fol.
lows the flag just so certainly will com.
merce follow and fill the permanently inn
proved channels of these great INLAND
waterways.
Waterway Bills Defended.
The most notable feature of the al
dress by Representative Ransdell, presi
dent OF the congress, was the statemen
that river and barber hills for the last
thirteen years have been as free from Tho
passed by Congress
I'VE have always opposed dribblng
piecemeal rolicy OF water way improve
ment and have always insisted upcn tn,
adoption Of complete. general wise an
conservative plan. With the end III view
OF completion in a definite period-of te,
TO fifteen years-those waterways in oul
interior and along our seacoasts Civ,
promise of increasing and cheapenint
transportation facilities.
eve have ever made and shall continu
to make a determined fight against any
thing that savors of so-called pork bar
rel legislation in river and harbor bills
and we unhesitatingly say that for tn
last thirteen years these bills have bee
as free from the charge of pork barre
as any that have been passed by Con
gress. While there has been criticism O
this character, in our judgment 1t is uu
warranted by the facts"
Mr.. Ransdell, just before adjournmen
at 1870 O'Clock, announced the rule
which will govern the convention. An
nounccments were made OF committe
assignments and recess was taken unit