Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-10-16

river to Hennepin on the Illinois river, and
apprecia ting as it does the natural import
ance OF this waterway intended to connect
the Mississippi river with Lake MlchlSah,
we urge further appropriations by Congress
as will secure the speedy completion OF TINS
improv ement. In order to insure TO the
producers and manufacturers of the North
west the grea test possible Deneflt from tne
construction of this canal, we request the
examination and investigation by the gen.
eral Government of the feasibility and COM
mercial value OF a branch canal, from a
point on the Mississippi river above the
Rock Island rapids to the nearest plactlca-
hle point upon the present proposed site OF
the canal between Rock Island and Henne-
pin.
LAKE ERIE SHIP CANAL
Twelfth-A survey having been made with
q view of connecting the waters of the up
per Ohio river with the great lake system
through the waters of Lake Erie by the con-
struction OF ship canal, which survey has
demonstrated n practical route, passing
through the states OF Ohio and Pennsylva-
nia this convention approves the action of
the Legislature of Pennsylvania requesting
the General Government to further lnveStl-
Cate the merits of the proposed ship canal,
tion may be fully established.
Thirteenth-We approve of the lock and
dam system adopted by the General Gov
ernment for the Improvement of the Cum
berland, q Green. Lessee, Wabash and other
rivers and favor liberal appropriations for
that purpose.
Fourteenth-We approve the action of the
Executive Committee on the Improvement
OF the Western waterways, and request that
Il continue its labOrs in the direction ana
for the purpose for which it has been formed
until the Mississippi river and its navigable
tributaries are in such condition as the safe
II or the people and the interest of COM
merce demand and deserve, and said COM
mittee are authorized and requested to take
proper steps tor presenting to Congress
Suita bic mem oTial on the sense of the fore
going resolutions, and for publishing and
distributing the proceedings of this conVen-
non.
James A. Henderson. of Pittsburg, who
is an enthusiastic advocate of the Lake Erie
ship canal SAYS: "There can be no doubt as
to the favorable consideration of this sub
iect bv Congress. The water of the upper
Ohio must have an outlet. Railroad facili-
ties are not sufficient to handle the cargoes
that reach Pittsburg for distribution to
various points in the East, and railroad
freight rates are so high as to check and
discourage shipment. With the ship canal
q through water route from New Orleans to
the provinces of Canada and onward to the
Atlantic ocean would be established, the
beneficial effect of which would be almost
incalculable.
The BENEFIT TO PITTSBURG.
mot only would the entire tributary
country from New Orleans to the great
lakes be benefited, but Pittsburg would
especially be beneficiary of such con-
nection. Our vast and unlimited resources
in coal and iron would find an easy and a
cheap manner of distribution and our cargoes
Of coal could be transported in bulk to any
section of the United States or Canada"
"Will the Pennsylvania delegation 60
before Congress TO secure the building of the
canal?''
why certainly. The sentiment in its
favor in Pennsylvania is almost unanimous.
The Legislature has already taken action
on the matter, all of our Congressman are
instructed, and before we get through with
il all the Congressman of the United States
will be instructed. And as l saii before,
Pennsylvania will not alone be interested;
every State in the Mississippi Valley, every
manufacturer in the States represented in
Waterways Convention, will be directly
or indirectly benefited to a greater or less
degree bv the opening of the canal So you
see, when the matter becomes fully under
stood. Representatives in Congress of this
vast territory, which is drained by the
Father OF Waters and the tributaries there
TO, can conscientiously and in good faith
lend their voice and vote to the passage of
any measure that NAV be introduced in the
NaIlOnal Assembly looking TO thaJ emu.
Practical engineers have given their per-
solal attest of the advisability of the
scheme, and men whose whole lives have
been devoted to the water declare that it is
practicable and must work Therefore it is
The intention and purpose of the Pennsyl-
vania delegation. with the aid and assist
aace of the National Waterways Associa-
ion, 10 demand of Congress the immediate
consideration of this canal question. We
only ask a consideration and feel certain
that success will follow