Telegram-herald., 1890-02-21
TIE SECRETARY OF War
Is Asked 70 Officially Sanction a
Survey for a Canal.
The Report of the Committee of the
BOARD of Trade Forwarded u Wash
instOn-SO Answer Yet

The Board OF Trade committee hav-
ing the water communication with Lake
Michigan under their special superyis-
ION have, a announced recently, de-
cided 10 ask the Secretary Of War, IN
whose department the matter properly
comes. 70 request Col. Wm. Ludlow,
United states Engineer IN charge Of
this department, 10 make an Official re-
port OF the survey, the field work OF
which has just been completed by the
engineering corps under the direction
Of Col. Ludlow. The committee has
drawn up a communication setting
forth what 5 desired by the Board of
Trade, and mas transmitted a copy to
the officials at Washington.
To the Secretary Of war:
"sIR-Ihe Grand Rapids Board OF
Trade, an organization composed Of
and representing the united business
interests OF TINS community, respect
! fully ask your consideration Of the fol-
lowing statement:
Grand Rapids, with n population of
5000, j. the second city in the State of
Michigan IN SIZE and Importance, and
the trst IN the United States IN the ex-
tent and value OF It's manufactures OF
furniture. The local industries include
| eighty-three lOb5ing establishments.
employing an aggregate capital OF
-, 900, and distributing SO, ,554 900
worth OF goods annually, and 429
manufacturing establishments, employ
ing sl7 ,334 400 of capital, and produc-
! ing finished products 10 the value OF
/ f3l ,6S2 ,25O per annum. The furniture
manufactured here has, in especial, at
tanned a worldwide reputation, and is
shipped to all parts OF the country and
abroad.
Grand Rapids is the distributing
[ point for Western and Northern Mlchi-
gan, and the freight tonnage in and out
| OF the city during the year 1889
| amounted To zoe, 900 tons. equivalent TO
the burden OF 10000 loaded ears.
Although located at the head of
| navigation OF Grand river, itself the
largest stream IN the State, and dis
charging into Lake Michigan at Grand
/ Haven, the most important harbOr of
refuge on the east shore of the lake,
Grand Rapids is practically without
water connections and i dependent en-
tlrely upon its rail communications.
The distance from Lake Michigan 10
but thirty miles IN a straight line, and
/ forty miles 10y river, but although the
volume OF the stream Is large, and the
lower portions of ample depth and
capacity Tor deep draft vessels, the up
per reaches are oDstructed 10y shoals
and sand bars, so that the navigation
to reach the city Is confined to vessels
of such insufficient draft as TO be of
little practical benefit 70 the extensive
commerce interested therein.
The Board or Trade, representing
these interests. and earnestly impressed
with the advantages of water commun-
lcatlOn, has devoted time and labor to
an investigation OF the subject, and be-
coming convinced that the natural
conditions are such as TO warrant favor
able results, have by subscription,
raised the necessary, funds for making
surveys to determine the best course to
pursue. Two canal routes have been
examined, one TO connect with the bar
ivr at Holland, Mich, the other to
connect Grand Rapids with Lamont,
. on Grand river, below which point the
distractions cease to be serious. The
/ third route j. the river itself, and COM
pctcnt engineers and assistants have
completed the field work covering the
entire distance from Grand Rapids to
( Grand Haven with transit lines and
levels on both banks, and complete
/ sOundmgs OF the river. 1t is expected
that within a few weeks the Plating
I and mapping Will be completed. and
the full results If tho investigation can
then be determined. but the informa-
ton already gathered is such as to lead
I us TO believe that no inSuperable en-
I r~rrr a -
the improvement of river navigation to
such degree rs TO meet reasonable re-
quremcuts. and ~ a probable cost not
q spropOTtiOuatc u the extensive COM
mcrCc and Interests concerned.
In view of the magnitude OF these
interests. and OF the great value of the
/ improvement, not only TO Grand Rap
Ids but 20 oil other points wI h which
we have business relations. the Board
OF Trade now asks that the engineer
officer in charge of the river and mar
t,0r improvements in this locality 10
Instructed 10 examine the data. satisfy
himself IS 70 the accuracy and thor
ouEhness Of the work anG report 20
yog ms opinion and judgment thereon,
We undertaking. az our own cost, 10
procure such information. should any
uc needed. rs wo.ld en3u.e HIM -
reach q conclusion 4> to tne reasonable
and practical extent 20 which river
navlE8t.9n can he improved and IN ap-
( prOx m3t. estimate ~ the cost
"Aii 0f which, = respectfully submit E.
ted with request Tor your early and fsv-
o-7ble cOusdeTat 0n.
N reply e. the above has. of course.
4 been received - yet. bat the comm ttee
hopes. within month az least. o. have
definite acton taken. The draughts-
men. under the direction Of Jonu =
Mitchell ara still working on the maps
and Mr. Mitchell has informed Col.
Lgtlow that he expects % compete
them within month
q r & 7 Doctors.
The Grand Rapids & Tn.i,sna "a way