The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-23

unable to attend the meeting on account of a pressure of business. MT. Bromberg stressed the importance of the improve ment of all the available waterways of the state and reviewed some of the history of the early work. MT. Bromberg was in Congress from the First district of Alabama just after the war and was the first man to get an appropriation for the relief of the Alabama river at Mo- bile.
 Afternoon Session
 At the afternoon session which met at o'clock Walter D. Seed spoke for the second time, discussing the possi- bilities of navigation on the Warrior river. His words were very optimistic. many of them approaching the pro- phetic. All were sandwiched with facts and figures that were inspiring as well as informative.
 Judge H. Austell of Mobile one of the veterans of river and harbor im- provement in Alabama. talked of the importance of deepening the channel and outer bar of Mobile bay. He wants the bar cut to 35 feet so as to &C., commodate the battleships of the world as well as the heaviest cargoes of mer- chandise that may desire to use the harbor. He spoke hopefully of the de- sired improvement. making the state- ment that the amount of money re- qufred Is insignificant in comparison to the benefits to be attained
 Senator Watt T. Brown of Ragland, being unable to attend, sent a com munication, discussing the importance to be derived through the opening of the Coosa river. It was read to the convention by the secretary.
 Letter From Burton
 President Craft read a letter from Chairman T. E. Burton of the con gressional rivers and harbors commit- tee in reply to a letter from MT. Craft in which the chairman said that Texas had received s29,51e,03o.57 as against S16, ,7S7,059.12 for Alabama for river improvement
 MT. Craft made the assertion that the saving in coal for the United States navy delivered at Mobile from the Bir- mingham district in 1n years would pay for the opening of the main rivers of the state to navigation.
 Burnett Speaks Congressman John L. Burnett of the Seventh district made witty and t.me- ly address in which he reviewed the work that has been done on the coosa river and said that now the work on the Warrior had about been completed everyone should assist the people who want the Coosa opened. He described the open river between Gadsden and Rome as an inland river and said that the amount and value of commerce on this inland stream would astonish any one that Is not familiar with 1t. He said that by reason of this open stretch in the river railroads on the west and north bank hauled freight at one-half the charge they otherwise would.
 Congressman Burnett said that the most recent survey of the Coosa pro- vides for 19 locks and dams. Mir Bur nett made another important state- ment. He said that there are In the United States 12,000 miles of nevigable waterways. More than 5000 miles are located at the south and more than 2000 in Alabama.
 Information Needed G. c. sherer, of Montgomery, discussed the importance of collecting all the in- formation possible for the benefit of con- gressmen when appropriations for river or other Improvements are solicited. R. E. l.. Neil of Selma, lauded the Queen City, of the black belt, and spoke of the advantages she hoped to derive from the use of the Alabama river for transportation He said that there is now a movement on foot to build modern wharf and put in a llna of barges as Montgomery had done. George H. Stevenson, of Bessemer. spoke enthusiastically of the proposed canalization of Valley creek, declaring that Bessemer would not only be bene- fited by the improvement. but that it's people were ready to do all In their power to open the canal into Birmins- ham.
 !. N. King Speaks J. N. King. president of the chamber of commerce of Rome, Ga.. made one of the notable speeches of the afternoon. He reflected much of the real enthus- iasm that Is felt by the people of the North Georgia city in the opening of tho Coosa river to Mobile bay.
 Bruce Kennedy, secretary of the Busi- ness Mems league of Mobile, made a most happy and timely speech. He was applauded repeatedly and his enthusiasm was infectious. He paid a high tribute to the members of the Alabama delega- ton in congress, and declared that now Is the time for Alabama people to go after what they want and should have in the way of river and harbor improve ment.
 !. H. Adams Talks
 I. Fl. Adams, of Birmingham. made a timely iinpromptu talk on the advan- tages of water transportation and on the inestimable resources of Alabama that are waiting for proper development.
 F. s. Caldwell of Gadsden. said that while Bob Neil claimed that Selma is the "Queen City, of the black belt, Gadsden is truly the Queen City" of the Coosa.
 c. S. Norman. of Washington county. made timely talk on the advantages of river navigation to the farmer
 J. N. King, of Rome, Ga, presented an invitation to the association to hold It's next annual meeting at Rome. The invitation was heartily seconded by s. J. Powers and the other members of the Rome delegation. and the invitation was unanimously accepted Officers for the ensuing year were elected, and the convention adjourned sine die.
 Afhlofin Mook .A