Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-10-30
1T Is A NATIONAL QUESTION.

1t is a source of unmiXed pleasure to
see that the more progressive men of the
country are now recognizing the need of
waterways to supplement the work of the
railroads, a proposition frequently and
comprehensively demonstrated in these
columns. With promptness as grateful as
it was in some quarters unexpected, the
public voice in conventions and through
the press is making itself felt on this SUBJ
iect from Chicago to New Orleans, from
Pittsburg to Montana, and results may
soon be expected. The stage has been
reached of understanding that the inter-
ests of all are bound together, so hence
forth we may look for cooperation where
formerly there was senseless jealousy or
Indifference
Those who remember the series of
elaborate articles prepared for The DIS
PATCH last winter by a well-known en-
gineer, on the improvement of our rivers
and the advantages of canals connecting
the lakes Herewith, will be glad to observe
that the agitation is following closely the
lines therein laid down. Already an ex-
tensive list is needed to comprise the i'm
portant enterprises being urged in differ
ent parts of the country. For instance, it
is now projected:
To make 20-foot waterway from Chi
cago to the gulf; 20-foot waterway from
the lakes to the Ohio; a 20-foot waterway
between Lakes Erie and Ontario, and
from Lake Ontario to the Hudson river.
Details, surveys and estimates have been
made for all these. They have all been
found practical from an economic stand
point
After years of experience with dykes
and dredges, which resulted only in disap-
pointment and failure, movable dam has
been introduced upon our flowing rivers
with unqualified success, and it is the
avowed policy of the general Government
to build movable dams to develop interests
in all our streams. Seven great reservoirs
have thus been made at the headwaters of
the Mississippi and navigation greatly i'm
proved, and its period extended thereby
between st. Paul and Grafton.
The Hennepin Canal project, for years.
football and laughing stock. has now ad-
vanced to the stage of completed surveys
and condemnation of right of way, and
will in the near future extend traffic from
Chicago to Rock Island in almost an air
line
The great lock at Sault Ste. Marie, which
now accommodates a traffic one third
greater than that of the Suez Canal, is
being reinforced by new mammoth lock
1OOxSoO feet and 81 feet deep on the Amer
lean side, and of nearly equal capacity on
the Canadian side
To overcome the difficulty of navigation
of the shallow and contracted st. Clair
Canal, and to keep better stage of water
n the channels between the Great Lakes,
it is suggested to dam the Niagara river
and raise the level of Lakes Erie, Huron
and Michigan to a height sufficient for
communication at all times.
A strong Interest is pushing a canal
across the Michigan peninsula to reduce
freights to Chicago to level with those of
Duluth; and the State of New York, ever
a leader, is doubling the length of the
locks, and thereby the carrying capacity,
of the Erie Canal
Everywhere is progress; everywhere en-
thusiasm; everywhere a recognition of
unity and dependency of interest. 1t is
to be hoped that while all the
rest of the country is awake to the i'm
mense benefits to be had from water Davi-
cation, the people of Western Pennsyl-
vania, Ohio and West Virginia, who have
most of all to gain, will not lie dormant in
respect to the Ohio and Lake Erie Canal.
Now is the time to move. Congress will
soon be in session. There is not CITY,
borough or township within 100 miles of
US that can be excused for failing to send
a petition to the local Congressman and
to the general Government to take up this
project at the coming session. 1t is not at
some indefinite time in the future the
matter should be agitated, but imme-
diately. Here is something practical for
the Government to do, something of i'm
mense value to be had out of politics.