Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-08-27
CITY OFFICIALS TO ATTEND
Waterways CONVENTION
Committee Cannot Be Named, How
ever, Until Reorganization
Of Government.
COUNCIL APPRoPRIArEs $500
Association Urges Attendance and
Believes Present Time Best Oppur-
tunity Gigantic Scheme Has Had
to Prove Its Worth.

City Clerk Alfred H: Mcdowell yes
terday received detailed information
the Atlantic Deeper Waterways Asso
citation which is to be held In Boston
Mass. September 24-27 inclusive. n,
which it has been tho custom for year:
that members Of the Council COMMITTEE,
on Docks, Rivers and Harbors attend
in body together with the Mayor anc
the presidents Of both branches Of the
AS tho committee will undergo re.
organi7ation next month when the new
Council and its various committees
sent the city at the convention can.
not be announced until that time.
Expenses Of the delegation from
priation of $500 which was recent,
authorized by the Council.
The official call of the association
gives gives out many important reasons
had and cites events Of the past year
that have made the. question OF a
undermined system of water communi-
solemn challenge to the nations in
tegrity and common sense.
The official communication in part
Is as follows:
This association for years past has
been urging upon the American people
the advantages OF chain of modern
waterways along tho Atlantic sea-
board, connecting the various ports.
rivers, bays and sounds into one sys-
tenn Of transportation and within one
area for strategic defense.
PLAN INDORSED BY ALL
GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
the plan have been attested by the
official board having Jurisdiction. the
Engineer Corps OF the United States
the Gnited States A navy n the O Taeasufy
Department and the Department of
Commerce.
The plan has been in part adopted
by Congress, but most of the actual
construction is vet to be DONE
Last year at the Miami Convention.
when our country was then but newly
people what they would then give if
such a modernized system OF communi-
cation as the ASSOCIATION had adroca-
ted were then available for use along
tho past year have made that question
solemn challenge to our national
common sense.
"A severe coal shortage throughout
the seaboard area, Gripping industries
in time OF war. and bringing suffer-
ing 70 countless homes. has demon
roads and the relief that can be
rendered by tho waterways.
WATERWAYS GIVEN FIRST
CHANCE TO SHOW WORTH.
war legislation. enacted at the
request Of the Federal administration,
al
only the railroads of the country but
many OF it's best waterways. and the
government has under consideration
plans for through routing and inter
change, Of traffic between rail and
water lines.
In this way. for the first time in
the country's history, the waterways
are given chance to demonstrate
their full measure OF service; and
although many Of them have not been
brought up-to-date and are incapable
or performing the service which a
modern waterway might do, they stiil
nave value. and the plans urged by
this association for a modern water
way system are abundantly Justified
1T must. however. be remembered
that under existing law. Federal con-
troll is temporary. that 1t is limited
practically to operation OF existing
lines. We are face to face. therefore,
with the problem of providing for
such necessary Improvement during
the war as may be feasible. and
certainly after the war to produce an
adequate and dependable system OF
waterways for permanent use.