Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-03-25

the advantages of water transportation over
railways in operating expenses than state
ment like this. After a canal is paid for
its maintenance-if it was properly con-
structed in the first instances really in
significant. Not enough attention has been
directed to this branch of the subject hereto
fore, but it is hoped our people will not long
delay their investigations. 1t is new field
to many no doubt because of the poverty of
experience with ship canals in this country
there being not one in the United States,
though Canada with its Welland Canal
presents us an object lesson near enough at
hand.
OF the great canals not entirely COM
pleted reference might be made to the Man
chester and Corinth Canals-both of which
are, however, so we'll known as to require
only a mention.
The Baltic and the North Sea.
There remains the North Sea and Baltic,
or H,olsteiu Canal. however, with which
Americans are not generally so familiar.
This project dates back 40 years, but twas
not until as late as 1887, that the German
Empire entered actively upon its construc-
tion. There were previously existing three
small canals across the isthmus. but 1t is
now being cut down to sea level for go miles
at an expense of $39, 900, 900, in order to save
vessels from London to the Baltic 237 miles,
and from Western German ports to the
same, 425 miles heretofore lost in passing
around Denmark, which passage is crooked
and dangerous at times for sailing.
Of course also the Government indorses it
| for military reasons, as the largest ironelads
will be able to pass through it from one sea
| to the other. The removal of 67 900, 900 Gu
I'D of iei in ba
struction. Mr. Peary in the paper referred
to, in speaking OF this project, says:
"The North Sea- Baltic traffic is variously
estimated at from $3.50 to 40, 900 vessels
annually with registered tonnage Of Il,
would use the canal at toll of 1917 cents
per registered ton." This is equivalent to
nearly 30 cents per ton of actual cargo, or
quite fully double that amount that even a
private corporation would probably ask
for tolls on the Lake Erie and Ohio Canal if
built by individual enterprise.
Rates That Are Excessive.
There is here distinct admission that toll
rates. which would be considered excessive in
this country, are expected to be paid merely
as bonus on time saved, and in reduc-
ton of insurance charges.
The figures of the interchange of traffic
between the North Seas and the Baltic ap-
pear great, yet after all they are exceeded
BY the traffic of our great lakes-more than
10000 vessels Of double the average cargo
capacity of those engaged in the North Sea
and Baltic annually pass through the De-
troit river, connecting Lakes Huron and
Erie; so that the commerce of few of our
Northwestern States vastly exceeds that of
all Northern Germany, Russia, Sweden and
Denmark with the North Sea and the At
lantic ports.
Americans Arc Entitled to Blow.
As Americans we are entitled to "blow,"
even harder than We are credited with
doing, for it is fact that the vastness of
the trade carried upon our great unsalted
seas" is realized by very few of our people.
Pittsburg can be made practically as access
lble to Detroit, Chicago and Duluth as Buff
ialo is to-day. The coal trade of Duluth
doubles every three years, and now receives
as much coal as Cincinnati, but this is
diverging.
Of projected ship canals in Europe there
is the great Birmingham Canal, the New
castle-on-Tyne Canal, Irish Canal (crossing
the island), Brussels Canal, Paris-Boulogne
Canal, Bsltic-Black Sea Canal, Bruges
Canal, Black Sea- Caspian Canal, which,
however, is In Asia. and several others, to
say nothing of those in India and elsewhere.
Space forbids any detailed reference to
them, however, but that this is the era of
great canals all the world over save in our
own country there can be no doubt.
PITTSBURG, March %. 7. T. r.