Evening star., 1922-12-06
BOOST WATERWAYS
THROUGH HOMES
Organization of Consumers
in Interest of Lower Prices
Urged by Woman.


Of the consumer to force greater use
of the waterways OF the United States
as an agency to bring lower prices for
commodities. was urged at the opening
session Of the eighteenth convention of
the National Rivers and Harbors Con-
gress, at the New Willard Hotel today,
by Mrs. Sarah Willard strout OF Port
land. Me-. president Of the Woman's
National Rivers and Harbors Congress
Declaring that If women could bring
about an amendment to the Constitu-
tion Of tho United States by organiza-
tion, consumers Of the United States
inteligently directed could. by mass ac-
tion. bring about lower prices for COM
modttiss. Mrs. Strout urged the ma
ttonal congress to utilize this great
agency as a means Of forcing more ex-
tensfve use Of the waterways Of the
nation. Mrs. Strout said the consumer
IL the dominant factor in the business
world. and that transportation is tho
medium between the producer and the
consumer.
Women are the larges purchasers
OF marketed commodities, Mrs. Strout
added.
N. Clemenceau to BE Guest.
Former Premier Clemenceau of
France has been invited as the guest
OF honor at tonight'S session Of the
congress. On account Of the cancella-
ton Of the business meeting scheduled
Tor tonight to make way for an ad-
dress by NJ. Clemenceau. it is expect
ed business meetings will extend over
Friday. The convention was originally
scheduled to close with a banquet to-
morrow night.
Legal aspects Of the extension Of
port facilities Of the port Of New
YORK. were discussed today before
counsel for the Port Of New York
Authority. the municipal corporate In
stumentality Joining New York and
New Jersey as administrative factors
in extension and operation Of the port
Mr.: Cohen said the necessary legal
and the Congress of the United States
have now all been solved and that
the port has built upon a foundation
upon which it expects to expand
greatly. Mr.. Cohen read a message
from the superintendent OF waterways
Of New York. showing that freight
transportation on the canals of the
state 10 increasing.
A. NJ. Lockett. acting president of
the board OF commissioners of the
port Of New Orleans. said the ques-
ton OF temporary closing OF the
mouth OF the Mississippi river. clos
ing ocean traffic to the Mississippi
Army engineers had considered dred1.
Ing of a canal direct from the river to
the gulf without passing through the
delta Of the Mississippi.
Rivalry Of Other Nations.
Mr.. Lockett warned that unless the
cheap water transportation Of the
United States is used to a greater
extent than now used. other nations
Of the world will lead US in foreign
trades and that possible ultimate
closing OF some business manufac-
tories and extension Of unemployment
IN this country may result. He added
that the port OF New Orleans is be-
ing developed along the broadest pos
sible lines. with the idea that It will
At some future time be the leading
world port
Explaining both sides Of the social
cd fourth section" OF the Interstate
Of Seattle. Wash. and Frank Lyon Of
Washington. D. c.. engaged In q de-
bate on the question Should water
competition be considered q justifica-
ton for relief from tho long and
short haul clause" Mr.. wettrick
negative. The latter also spoke for
the intermediate Rate Association.
At tho session this afternoon Presi-
dent Markham of the Illinois Central
railroad discussed American Trans
portation and Its Problems" Other
speakers were: J. H. McCallum. rep
resentinS the port of San Francisco: /:
Roy Killer of Corpus Christi. Tex.
vice president of the Intercoastal
Canal Association: Maj. Gen. Lansing
H. Beach. chief of engineers. U. S. A. !:
W. g. Bruce of Milwaukee. Wilfred
H. Schoff Of Philadelphia and NJ. q.
Barnes Of Chicago.
taken by the congress will be the
recommendation Of Maj. Gen. W. NJ
Black, former chief Of Army engineers.
that the congress change its name to
National Transportation Association IS
and work for a unified transportation
system. Gen. Black will address the
congress tomorrow afternoon. Secre-
taries DENLY and Weeks will speak at
the annual banquet tomorrow night.
Mayor J. Hampton Moore Of Phila-
delphia will act as toastmaster at the
banquet. Others on the speaking pro-
gram include Representative winifred
NJ. Huck Of Illinois, Ambassador Jus
serand Of France, Senator James A.
Reed Of Missouri and Representative B.
G. LoWery.