Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1911-12-01
RGNspEu LEAVES LEAVES FOR RIVERS
AND HARB0Rs CONGRESS-.

Hon. ]. z. Rsnsdell, president of the
National Rivers and Harbors Congress,
leaves for Washington, d. C., tonight
to assist in preparation for the eighth
annual convention, to be held in that
city on the 9th, 9TH and sth of December.
Mr.. Ransdell anticipates one of the
greatest conventions ever held by the
congress, and he is especially anxious for
Louisiana to be well represented, as no
state in the Union will receive greater
benefit from the adoption of national
waterway policy than Louisiana, "as we
have greater mileage of streams suscep-
tible of improvement than any other
state" said he.
Yesterday Mr.. Ransdell conferred with
Mayor Martin Behrman, who is one Of
the directors of the organization, and
with Hon. j. T. Mcclellan, of Tallulah,
who il vice president of Louisiana. Both
Of these gentlemen are fully alive to the
great importance of the convention and
are doing everything in their power to
make It a success. The mayor assured
Mr. Ransdell that he had.appointed a
large number Of delegates whom he hoped
would accompany him to lthe Capital
City
In discussing the convention, Mr..
Ransdell said:
''It is OF the greatest Importance for
the success of the national waterway
movement that large and enthusiastic
convention be held in Washington next
month. We have the greatest cause for
encouragement from the rapid progress
made since our organization began active
work six years ago. At that time less
than 10000, 600 per annm was being
expended for all the great water courses
Of this republic, while now the annual
appropriations exceed $50, 0O0, 900. At
that time rivers and harbors bills were
passed every three years, but for the last
two years we have had annual bills. II
the present Congress continues for the
next two years the same wise policy
adopted By its predecessor, the success
OF our waterway movement viii be well
established.
But we must not be too sanguine
yet while. The Democratic Party, of
which have the honor to be a member,
IL In power in the House OF Representa-
tives for the first time in sixteen years,
and Il Is committed to policy Of econo-
my, retrenchment and reform in public
expenditures. ! am in hearty accord and
sympathy with these views, but would
deem 1t most unwise for my party to
turn backward as far as the improvement
of our waterways is concerned. sincere
~ hope that at the present session of
Congress there will be comprehensive
rivers and harbors bill, framed along
liberal lines and fair to every section of
the Union.
with this end in view, I respectfully
urge all the friends OF waterways through
out the nation to see that the coming
Rivers and Harbors Convention is at
tended by the largest number of dele
gates in its history, in order that the
powerful sentiment existing throughout
the nation may be given public express
don.
"whiIe We have every cause for con-
g-stulstion on past results and the goal
OF our hopes is almost within sight, we
have not yet won the battle and must
continue our efforts with vigor and de-
termination.
AS . Louisianian, am especially
anxious that the many water courses and
great leyee interests Of our state, which
have received liberal treatment from the
advanced policy set on foot in the last
lew years, should have q goodly number
OF delegates in attendance on the con-
vcntion."