Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-10-13
ALL FOR THE CANAL.
Pittsburg Rivermen Leave for Evans
Ville's Waterways Meeting.
IMPORTANT TOPICS TO CONSIDER,
Including River Distractions and Improve
ment of LeVees,
THE LAKE ERIE CANAL TO BE INDORSED

The annual Waterways Convention,
which meets at Evansville, Ind, tomorrow
and Thursday, is of great Importance to
Pittsburg's shipping and business inter-
ests, as any action taken for the improve
ment of the Mississippi and Ohio Valley
navigation must of necessity affect Pitts
burg. There will be present representa-
tive body of river men, business men and
Legislators, numbering from 400 to 500.
The Coal Exchange and the Chamber of
Commerce Of Pittsburg have appointed
large number of local delegates Those who
will surely attend are: Captain John F.
Dravo, Captain c. W. Bachelor. Captain S.
S. Brown, Captain James i. Henderson.
John A. Wood, I. P. Roberts and w. W.
O'Neil
Aninformal meeting of the members ofthe
local delegation was held at the Office of w.
H. Brown & Sons and arrangements made
for the trip. They left last night at 7:45
over the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad.
Every member of this Pittsburg delegation
is deeply interested in the improvement of
the rivers. The matter most important to
local interests, as well as the interests of the
lower rivers, will be the agitation Of the
Governmental purchase of the locks and
dams belonging to the Monongahela Naviga-
tion Company and the Endorsement of the
Lake Erie canal project.
THE CANAL TO BE INDoRSED.
Colonel T. p Roberts said yesterday, in
regard to the latter, that the Erie canal
scheme would come before the convention,
and no doubt would be indorsed, as its i'm
portance and advantage to the entire river
district was thoroughly appreciated by
river men.
Captain j. A. Henderson said nothing
had been said about the canal at the meet
ing yesterday, as they were busy discussing
the Monongahela navigation question, and
other local matters, such as the filling in
of the rivers by mills and factories, sand
boat distractions, etc But" said he,
''the Erie canal will be heard from, and
have no doubt that it will be indorsed." "
Collector of the Port Captain John F.
bravo said he would be in attendance at the
convention. He is as enthusiastic as ever
about the great future of the navigation of
inland waters. He said '"The river traffic
is the democracy of the carrying trade. We
could not get along without it, even as it is,
but there is abundant room for improve
ment. We could not handle the immense
quantities of coal and iron materials by
rail. Yes, the Erie canal project will come
up before the convention, YOU may depend
on that. 1t was Endorsed at the Cincinnati
convention last year. It's great importance,
not only to Pittsburg, but to the entire
Ohio and Mississippi Valley, is recognized
by all. There is no such thing as local i'm
provement of our waterways. Any i'm
provement is of national Importance. The
buying ont of the Monongahela Navigation
Company, and the opening of the Mononga-
hela river to free navigation, would be to
the advantage of New Orleans as well as
Pittsburg, as it would bring about greater
competition, and consequently lower rates
for coal at the ports below.
NO LONGER OF A sKEPTICAL MIND.
s'The Erie canal would be of the most
tremendous advantage to Pittshurg, but the
entire river system west of the Rocky
mountains would share in the benefits.
was skeptical of the practicability of that
scheme at first, but after the report of the
commission appointed by Governor Beaver
to make surveys and measurements, and
after examining the maps and figures fur
nished by Colonel Roberts, am convinced
that the plan is entirely feasible, and is
onlv a question of money, now. l am
thoroughly convinced that that canal is one
of the things the future holds in store for
our people,"
Captain c. W. Bachelor was also seen
yesterday. He said he had intended going
to the convention, but feared the serious
illness of his wife might prevent. "Many
important questions" said he, "will come
up before this body, and the result of its
deliberations will have, as has been the
case in the past, an influence on legislation
for the benefit and improvement of the
river traffic 1 have no doubt that the Erie
canal will be discussed and indorsed by the
convention"
Another river man said that the greater
number of representatives present would be
from the Southern cities, Cincinnati,
Louisville, Cairo, Memphis, New Orleans,
ETC., and that the improvement of the lower
rivers would be presented most strongly,
and immense appropriations asked for the
building of levees from Cairo to New
Orleans, but that the people from this end
would see that the down-river folks did not |
get it all.
In circular issued by the Interstate
Mississippi River Improvement and Levee
Association it is set forth that with sufi-
cient appropriations such permanent sys-
TEN of levees can be constructed and main |
tanned by the general Government as will |
insure absolute protection from floods and |
it is urged that Congress assume control of |
the levees and make the necessary appro-
priations to construct complete system of |
levees from Cairo to the Gulf as a national |
work. 1t is estimated that an appropriation |
of SIC, 600, 900 expended by the Mississippi |
River Commission during period of three |
years, upon the levees, would accomplish |
the purpose.
1t is the unanimous opinion and de-
of river men that distinctions |
to the channel by filling and dumping and |
by low and narrow-span bridges must be
remedied and prevented.