Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1886-10-05
ADVOCATING THE CANAL.
The commissioners in Session at Chi
eag0--G0v. Ogiesby Taiks---Ihe
Engineers interviewed.

THE COMMISSIONERS AT CHICAGO.
The United States government board
of engineers-or commissioners who met
in Rock Island last week-Gen. C. b.
Comstock, Gen. o. NJ. Poe, and Maj. J.
c. Post-met in Chicago yesterday after
noon. There we're several gentlemen
who have won distinction through their
advocacy of the Hennepin present. there
being among others. Gov. OgIesby, Elk
Gov. Bross. Murray Nelson, II. B. Hurd,
J. d. Shorey. Gen. Leade, Canal
Commissioner j. II. Brown, of
Morris, and Majs. Hamburg and Bony-
nard, Of the U. s. engineer corps. Gov.
Oslesby, in speaking of the project. said
the great nsturai waterway between the
Mississippi river aud Lake Michigan
should not be allowed to lie idle. He
thought it safe TO estimate that at the
opening of the next century the United
States would contain a population OF
nearly 100. 900 600 As large proper
ton of the people must live east of the
Tooth meridian. beyond which Was the
region of aridity, the population of the
Mississippi valley would be very dense.
This should be considered in dealing with
this question. He thought the govern
ment could not afford to hesitate about
accepting the Illinois and Michigan canal,
enlarging it, and completing the water
WAY by constructing the Hennepin can
al
Mr. Murrs Nelson favored the improve
ment of the canal rs regulator of rail
roads aud benefit TO the country tribu,
tary to the Missouri and Mississippi
rivers
Gen. Comstock, chairman of the
board, asked if the railroads west of the
Mississippi would not make the rates to
the river the same rs those to Chicago
thus making it dearer to transfer and ship
by canal than by the all>rail route.
Congressman Adams thought the ques,
| ton would he settled in the courts. The
effect of enlarging the canal would pei
haps be TO make nominal rail rates 10
Illinois along the route, but the law gov-
erning railroads would regulate the mat
ter. There was IA strong probability that
national law on the regulation of rail,
| road corporations would be passed by
congress within few years, which would
promote the canal in its influence on
freights for more than twenty miles in
land from its banks. Water transporta'
ton. he thought, would greatly reduce
the price of hard coal in Iowa.
Mr. Healey. of LaSalle. thought there
was no doubt about the practrabilty o!
making easy transportation rates by cana
between Chicago and the Mississippi.
| hh-hl ihE SOhNiSoitNEhS lhtNh
The engineers have examined the sur
vcys of tire Henncpin canal, but have no
yet determined what their report to CON
gress will be.
The following are the sentiments oI
| two of the three members of the commits,
sion relating the canal, as given in the
Chicago Neaos:
Its all a mistake, said Mai Post, to
think the days for canals are past. That
is a railroad corporation argument. Pub,
lie waterways were never more important
than today. Where the navigable rivers
and the canals come in competition with
the railroads, they prevent the raiiro d
rates. The waterway, even if ton o.
| freight is never carried on it, is a grea'
regulator Cheap rates are a necessity j
this country wishes to compete witt
Australia and the East Indies in the Eu
ropean grain market We see the impOr
lance of the canal system in the Fri,
canal. which connects the great west b,
way OF the lakes with the seaboard. Be
sides keeping rail freights within reason
/, able limits, the waterways will Away
carry heavy bulk freight, like coal, hicl
the railroads could not transport, Will
their facilities, in sufficient quantities an
at reasonable prices TO meet the wants .
the people.
Gen Poe sail that the board was some
what surprised to ind that people in Ne
braska wanted the canal. They though
It would cheaper freight, which now too
d large part of the price their grail
brought in the Chicago market. As il
would still be necessary to carry Nebras
ka products across Iowa by rail, Gen. Pc
said he did not see how the farmers so ia
west could expect to receive much benefit
especially as the roads. unless restricte
By law, might charge rs much to the Mis-
slsslppi river as to Lake Michigan Il
spoke of the great value of the Erie aut
g.. Mary canals, aud of waterways in gen
eral. but had no opinion to express IN re
gard to the proposed improvements in thl
state.
Col ID. W. FIagler
1t is said to be verv likely that Colont