THE WOMAN'S NATIONAL RIVERS AND 



HARBORS CONGRESS 



By LYDIA ADAMS'WILLIAMS, Corresponding Secretary of Woman's National Press Association 

 Vice-president of Woman's National Rivers and Harbors Congress, and Chairman of Water- 

 ways Committee of D. C. Federation of Women's Clubs 



THE first biennial meeting of the dent of the National Rivers and Har- 



Woman's National Rivers and bors Congress, on July 24, wrote Mrs 



Harbors Congress was held at the Tomkies as follows: 



New Willard Hotel, Washington, D "I agree with you in the wisdom 

 C. December 9 10 and u, 1908. A of linking waterways and forests as 

 large attendance, comprising delegates one problem. There is the closest con- 

 nepresenting over twenty States, the nection between the two. Ambassador 

 Pacific coast and Hawaii, combined to Jusserand said: 'No forests, no riv- 

 make the success of the congress sur- ers,' and it is true. In my 

 pass the most sanguine expectations, judgment the forestry people will wel- 

 The membership includes women of Na- come your assistance as much as the 

 tional prominence, writers, lecturers, waterways people. Mr. Clifford Pin- 

 philanthropists and other well-known chot, Chief Forester of the United 

 club women who have for years been States, is one of the strongest friends- 

 working not for individual, but for Na- of waterways in the country." 

 tional welfare not alone for the pres- The following is an extract from a 

 ent generation but for posterity. letter of Mr. Pinchot to Mrs. Tom 



The congress was called to order by kies: 



the president, Mrs. Hoyle Tomkies, "You are to be congratulated upon, 

 who delivered an able address, in which your organization of the Woman's Na- 

 she said that the greatest authority on tional Rivers and Harbors Congress 

 waterways in the United States, the I am exceedingly glad you have in- 

 Hon. Joseph E. Ransdell, had created eluded in its platform the preserva- 

 a faith in his policy and for that, worn- tion of forests. Forest preservation 

 an is ready to sacrifice' her comfort is very closely allied to waterway im- 

 and go to work. 'Through their train- provement ; in fact, the two go hand 

 ing iti household economics, which lie in hand and are very important parts 

 at the basis of all government, social of the whole movement for the con- 

 and political, the women grasped the servation of the country's natural re- 

 idea," said Mrs. Tomkies, "and saw sources. You have my best wishes for 

 in this work for waterways and for- success in the important work yoxi 

 ests the duty of the hour. have undertaken." 



"It was thus, with earnest purpose At the meeting in Washington, the 

 and determined effort, the women constitution of the congress wa> 

 organized the Woman's National Riv- amended to read as follows : 

 ers and Harbors Congress. We stand "The objects of this congress shall 

 for the development of our inland be the promotion of the improvement of 

 waterways and harbors and for the the meritorious inland waterways and 

 extension of our forests as one prob- harbors, the preservation of the forests 

 lem." and the conservation of the natural re- 



Hon. Joseph E. Ransdell, who has sources ; and to secure proper legisla- 

 for the third time been elected Presi- tion. both National and State, and ade- 

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