Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-31
rrRox OUR SPECIAL COMMISSIONER ]

rFRoM OUR SPECIAL coM1fssIoNER.1
SHARPsvILLE, December 30.-In one ol
the former letters in this series it was stated
that J. M. Goodwin. the practical engineer
of the Erie and Ohio river canal scheme
said it must be borne in mind that the val
leys of the Shenango and the Mahoning
rivers would be both included in any ship
canal which might be built. He would
have, either way, spur running from one
to the other of the valleys.
1t is something of importance to both val
leys that's ship canal should be OF benefit to
the towns in each OF the valleys. Without
permitting any assumption of belief as to
which valley, or whether either valley, may
be the lucky one in the matter of an allot-
ment of ship canal, it may be said, gener-
ally, that the industries of each are so inter-
laced and so interdependent upon each other
that the bond of sympathy between them is
stronger than was that Of the Siamese twins.
These valleys are American giants, whether
twins or not.
A SPUR IS PRACTICABLE.
But it is easily to be seen by glance at
the map that there would be little difficulty
in running a spur up the Shenango Valley
to SharpsviIle, in case the main canal comes
down the Mahoning. Sharpsville would
be fsr enough up, because there is no place
between it and Erie which would really
need a canal. Clarksville, Greenville,
Adamsville, etc., are but small places. 1t
would be less costly to build the canal be-
tween New Castle and Sharpsville than
from New Castle to the mouth of the Beaver.
On the other haEd, if the canal should
come down the Shenango Valley, it will
not be any more difficult to build spur up
the Mahoning as far as Youngstown. Along
the Mahoning, up as far as the place named.
there are many heavy-tonnage industries
which would be immensely benefited by
ship canal.
AN ALLEGHENY VALLEY KICK.
But all the people of Western Pennsyl-
vania would not be satisfied with either
route. Let me quote what prominent gen.
tleman of Armstrong county says to me in
private letter on the subject:
''The people of Western Pennsylvania"
he SAYS, unite in the belief that this is one
of the greatest schemes looking to the full
development of the country ever proposed
in any of our legislative bodies. We are
proud of the fact that our national water
ways are such as will be entirely sufficient
to supply such a canal; that they flow
through a country rich in soil and minerals,
and that although many places of interest
are hampered by lack of railroad competi-
ton, yet great manufacturing industries
have sprung up in the very face of such dis
It must follow, then, that to
cut a great canal like the one proposed from
the lakes to the Ohio river, to come into
competition with almost every railroad in
in fha MI ho
cent scheme for the country generally, and
more especially for the particular localities
through which it would pass.
I'm this venture we are all interested"
the gentleman continued; but the people
OF the Allegheny Valley have begun to
suspect that our river is not to be taken into
BY this commission.
THE GOVERNOR SHOULD KNOW.
tfI have even heard it charged that the
members of that commission were selected
either on account of residing in the Beaver
Valley, or having moneyed interest there
that would be benefited by the selection of
that route. However this may be, am
free to assert that, so far as can learn,
there is no member of that delegation who
has either a residence, a boat, or a mill in
the Allegheny Valley.
"We do not hesitate to say, further, that
we think all the possible routes should have
been represented on that commission, and
that, because a Beaver county man intro
duced bill, the full intent of which would
cost the nation many millions OF dollars, is
no excuse for the Governor to make such an
appointment as would invest that money in
Beaver county.
cat the first or second meeting of the
the Armstrong county man
continued, ga prominent engineer reported
at length in favor of the Allegheny river
route as being the most suitable, both from
3 point of water supply and cost of con-
struction; but we have not heard of him
nor of the Allegheny river route in connec-
tion with this project since"
TO EXAMINE ALL ROUTES.
These are the chief ideas OF the gentle |
mans letter. OF course, do not propose |
TO discuss any route; but readers of THE |
DISPATCH will remember that on the |
last day the commission met, which |
was in Rochester. Mr.. Shallenberger |
said that the commission was sure, |
in any event, to go over the Allegheny river !
-oute before making a final report as he
thought that much was due to all the people |
If the State. 1t is nevertheless true, how
.ver, that the present leanings are toward |
he SheDango and Beaver Valley routes,
With the Mahoning Valley as q possible side
ssue. G. 7. DAWSON.