no section in Georgia which is a better agricultural section than is that traversed by these rivers. They raise one-seventh of the cotton that is raised in the State of Georgia. There are several of these counties which are new counties, just being developed agriculturally, formerly covered with pine trees, which were converted into lumber, and that land is now developed into a magnificent agricultural territory. Mr. Chairman, I want to speak just briefly of two of the most enterprising, thoroughgoing cities in the State of Georgia. One is the town of Dublin, on the Oconee River, and the other is the town of Hawkinsville, on the Ocmulgee River. I wish I could speak of all the towns along that river.

There is an immense amount of hardwood along these rivers, and it is just waiting for an opportunity to be shipped by water. It can only be shipped economically, and, in fact, at all, by water, and when that timber is moved, the condition of that land is such that it will be developed into a magnificent agricultural section, especially for corn and for oats.

The town of Dublin has increased in population in 20 years 100 per cent. It is situated in the largest cotton-growing county in the State of Georgia. Not many years ago it was known as a piney woods county. From Dublin they ship about 75,000 bales of cotton per annum. Whereas they have a boat continually upon that river, there are times when it is hardly possible to put a just load upon the boat for fear they will not be able to reach their destination.

Hawkinsville ships about 55.000 bales of cotton per annum, and she also is in a condition whereby they can run a small boat perhaps all the season round.

In conclusion, I just wish to say that this $40,000 appropriation is not an economical expenditure. It reminds me of a railroad that is magnificently built and well equipped but that has three or four or half a dozen places in it that are so dangerous that it is a difficult matter to get the trains over them, and frequently a train falls through. The result is that the passengers will not ride on that road, and those who should ship their freight at all are not willing to ship upon that particular road.

If you will make an appropriation that would warrant men in putting their money into these boats there will be a regular line of boats and steamers along these rivers, and it will be of immense value to the State of Georgia and to all commerce connected with that State. My candid opinion is there is no system of waterways to-day more important than the Altamaha system.

Gentlemen, I will not detain you longer; I thank you.

I

Mr. BARTLETT. Mr. Chairman, I desire to extend the thanks of myself and my constituents and of these gentlemen present for the patient courtesy with which you have heard us in this matter. merely want to add my personal statement with reference to the navigation conditions of Macon. I know that the people of Macon did undertake to build boats and did build boats, and that the disasters following them were as has been stated here to you to-day. I know that from my own personal experience.

The CHAIRMAN. The committee will recess until half-past 2 o'clock this afternoon.

(Thereupon, at 1 o'clock p. m. the committee took a recess until 2.30 o'clock p. m.)

CAPE FEAR RIVER SECTION

HEARINGS

ON THE SUBJECT

OF THE

IMPROVEMENT OF BEAUFORT, N. C., TO CAPE FEAR RIVER SECTION OF THE INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY

INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY, BEAUFORT, N. C., TO CAPE FEAR

RIVER SECTION.

COMMITTEE ON RIVERS AND HARBORS,

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Washington, D. C., January 19, 1914.

The committee assembled at 10.30 o'clock a. m., Hon. Stephen M. Sparkman (chairman) presiding.

Mr. SMALL. Mr. Chairman, I will ask you to hear this morning some gentlemen in behalf of the intracoastal waterway from Beaufort, N. C., to the Cape Fear River, which is recommended in the report of the engineers known as House Document No. 229, Sixtythird Congress, first session.

There are represented here the North Carolina Waterways Association, represented by Mr. R. A. Parsley, president, and Mr. M. W. Divine, both of Wilmington, N. C.; the Chamber of Commerce of Wilmington, represented by Mr. J. Allen Taylor and Mr. J. Lawrence Sprunt; the Commercial Club of Wilmington, N. C., represented by Mr. Hugh MacRae and Mr. J. S. Williams; the Board of Trade and Business Men's Association of Norfolk, Va., represented by Mr. Harry K. Wolcott; and I will ask the committee to hear first Mr. R. A. Parsley.

The CHAIRMAN. Just one moment. Mr. Small, how much time would you like to have them consume?

Mr. SMALL. Well, it was agreed, Mr. Chairman, as I understand, that the committee would hear briefly from some of these gentlemen on the lower Cape Fear. Can you gentlemen indicate_how much time you would like to have-first on this waterway from Beaufort, N. C., to Cape Fear?

Mr. PARSLEY. I will make a very few remarks and require only about five minutes, I think. After that, these other gentlemen will speak at length on the waterways matter.

Mr. SMALL. I should think about one hour and a quarter on the waterways proposition, Mr. Chairman, would be sufficint, and these gentlemen will shorten it if possible.

The CHAIRMAN. Very well. My object in asking the question is that we have to limit these hearings to some extent, because we have a lot of other work to do, and we want to get through with the hearings as soon as possible. You may proceed, Mr. Parsley.

STATEMENT OF MR. R. A. PARSLEY, OF WILMINGTON, N. C.

Mr. PARSLEY. Mr. Chairman, I would like to say in the beginning that we regret very much that we are unable to have with us to-day our Congressman from our district, Mr. Godwin. He was to have