Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-01-28
STATE AND FEDERAL WORK
Representative Townsend Says That
1t Commends Itself to the Country
TO BALANCE THE RAILROADS.
Senator Quay Thinks Congress Should
Lend Helping Hand.
WHAT SOME OTHER CONGRESSMEN SAY
;FKoN A STAFF CORRESPONDENT,

WASHINGTON, Jan. 27.-Few of the
Pennsylvania Congressmeu have followed
closely the project Tor ship canal connect
ing Lake Erie with the Ohio river BY way
of the Shenango and Beaver rivers, but
those who have are much interested to know
the contents of the forthcoming report of
the Canal Commission.
Especially those Congressman who repre-
sent districts through which the canal would
pass are well informed on the subject and
are enthusiastic for the great work. Repre-
sentative Townsend. of Beaver, who has
been one of the most active and useful men,
bers of the River and Harbor Committee OF
the House during this Congress, said to-day:
Commends Itself to the Country.
81 am certainly in favor not only of this
canal project, but think that THE DIS
PATCH'S grand scheme for a system of
canals is one which in the course of time
will commend itself TO the country. In my
work in the River and Harbor Committee L
have been led to give the subject great
deal of investigation, and l am convinced
that in the future, even more than now, the
public will want waterways, not only as
balance wheel to the railroads in the matter
OF tolls, but for the transportation of freights
which the railroads cannot carry.
There is vast bulk OF freight already,
which could not by any possibility be carried
by the railroads, and this bulk will in
crease rather than diminish in the future.
AT any rate, the cheaper the transportation
the greater the bulk of produce that will be
carried, and the lower will ne its cost to
consumers. That goes without saving.
har Nv.fP Nyf MT
ccedings as reported, of the Canal Commits
sion, and of the development of interest in
artificial waterways as eSempliied in the
good work of THE DISPATCH. 1 am
heartily in favor o. State as well as National
aid TO such projects. As to the proposition
to make an appropriation for the Nicaragua
Canal, have given that matter no atten-
tion. OF course, between appropriation
for IT aud fo- domestic canals, l should
favor the latter. But 1 do not think the
Nicaragua question will come up during
my term. and 1 have paid attention to it,
What Cameron and Quay Say.
Senator Cameron's interviews on all ques-
tions are very short, and what he had to say
on the canal was not an exception. He was
favorable to ship canals as a general propo-
sition, but had given the special projec:
under consideration no thought or investi-
cation. He could not say whether State aid
would be proper or advisable.
Senator Quay is an enthusiast for shin
canals whenever beneficial and feasible and
for this Ohio and Erie Canal iu particular
He compiimented The DISPATCH warmly
for its great work in arousing public interest,
and hoped other newspapers would take it
up and make the question one Of general
agitation.
II have been interested in this canal
re
ator. land was consulted with regard to the
resolution for the appointment of the COM
mission. l gave 1t nv hearty approval and
support, and have watched the progress of
the work OF the commission with deep in
terest
Favors State and National Aid.
II am in favor of State aid aud national
aid to the most liberal degree necessary, as
know of no way in which public money
could be better expended than in providing
the cheapest transportation possible for the
products the people desire to consume. l
see 10 reason why, if the commission re-
ports the project to be feasible, the State
should not move in the matter at once and
prepare the way TO go into Congress with
the most substantial arguments for national
assistance.
''While it might benefit specially small
be national, and even international. 1t is,
TO my mind, only question of time when
these canals will be built, connecting lakes
and river which now lie almost close togeth-
er waiting to be joined, and the Canal Com
mission and The DISPATCH deserve great
credit for their work Tor this one that is to
join the Ohio and Lake Erie AS to the
appropriation for the Nicaragua Canal,
have given it no attention whatever, and DO
not suppose it will be acted on this session,
il at all. L DO not see, however that it need
antagonize, even in print, the home PROPOSE
tion, though OF course i would ALWAYS favor
spending the money at home before lending
IL or giving ii abroad"
Bayne Opposes State Aid.
81 am in favor OF ship canals where thew
are feasible as a general proposition" said
Representative Bayne but 1 have given
this project of uniting the Ohio river and
Lake Erie no attention and know nothing of
its feasibility. l am, however, opposed to
State aid for all such projects. They are es-
sentlally Interstate or national in their
character and should he constructed, if at
all, from the National funds"
Representative Stone, # the Warren dis
trict, was also in favor of ship canals as a
general proposition, but had not kept pace
with the work of the Canal Commission.
II AAiO fANJNSA OS 4edSiDlt, Sdlu he, ana L
have heard the commission would report in
favor O. its entire feasibility, of course am
in favor f it, and would favor State aid if
there be nothing TO prevent appropriation
for such such purpose. l assume that
the commission would not have been created
if there had been an obstable of legal or
constitutional character in the way, but be-
fore fully committing mysel: on that point
would like to examine the matter carefully.
Measure of Defense.
Certainly such canal would be great
benefit to commerce. and not only that, but
a great measure of de ense in case of war.
Our treaties with Great Britain supulate
that neither Government shall maintain war
vessels on the great lakes, but the Canadian
Government is widening and deepening the
Welland Canal that war steamers NAV
euter, and in case Of an outbreak of hostil-
tiles could in few days have feet of war
vessels on the lakes and every city of. those
inland seas would be at their mercy.
Though the commercial view is the prom
inent one, ] think the other consideration
vastly important" LIGHTNER.