Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-04-30
ALL In IT'S FAVOR
Every Voice Speaks for Inn
proving the River
OPINIONS FREELY EXPRESSED
by Large Number Of Business Men,
Showing the Necessity for Imme-
diate, Positive Action.

time and money have been expended
IN attaining the present condition OF
the work, and il appears to DO the
unanimous wish Of those who have
been foremost in the PROJECT that the
present congress shall take cognlxance
of Colonel Ludlow's report Of the sur
vey by granting the appropriation. In
addition TO the opinions of business
men published in The HERALD Friday
morning with reference to the matter.
| the following expressions were made 20
reporter yesterday:
A GRAND River valley Man.
w. s. Gunn--I am q Grand river val
ley man and have done buslnees in this
city since was boy. have always
been in favor Of every improvement
that would benefit this city and the
| Grand river valley, and have always
assisted in bringing tham about when
| ever possible. l am now enthusiastlcal-
| ly in favor of the project to make
Grand river nayigab.e stream mas
| much as Colonel Ludlow has reported
| favorab,y on the survey. Now, con-
gress ought TO give rs an appropriation
F., to help Us To get this improvement,
which would without doubt be one OF
great value to the commercial inter-
ests of this city and this part of Michi-
gan. l have just signed petition TO
be presented to congress, asking for the
desired appropriation.
Judge Montgomery Earnest.
Judge X. NJ. Montgomery Of the
| state supreme court-This matter Of
improving Grand river 10 of greater
moment than any question that has
been brought to the attention Of the
citizens of Grand Rapids for q good
many years. The benefits derived
from such improvement would provo
to be of unmeasurahle value to the
commercial interests of the city. II
would result In the saving Of freight
rates, which would amount to q neat
sum each year. Besides this it would
enable the city to secure the establish
ment of metal industries, which it will
be- impossible to get if We have no water
communication. The senate ought to
yield to the demands of the people of
this part of Michigan and include the
amount asked for in the river and har-
Dor bill. If congress will do nothing
for us it would pay the citizens OF this
city to take hold of the matter by pri-
vate SUBSCRIPTIONS AMI begin the i'm
provement at once. You may put me
on record US being greatly Interested
in this question Of public improvement
and that will do what / can toward
securing II.
without Doubt Feasible.
The Hon. +. d. Giibert-This project
without doubt 10 feasible. There is
one thing In connection with 1t that l
have not eeen mentioned. II would pe
quite fea sible to run direct line from
this city to Chicago and Milwaukee, II
We wished TO do so. Fifty years ago
there were no lake vessels that drew
over ten feet of water, because they
had no harbors to admit them. If wo
had direct line 1t would save trans
shipment of freight at Grand Haven.
1t would be a great benefit to have the
river deepened, even ii We did not
have direct shipment to Chicago. 1t
would save good sum in freight rates
by the competition which it would cre-
ate for seven or eight months during
the year. Adaily line from here to
Grand Haven would prove benefit to
the merchants ard manufacturers of
this city, who could ship and receive
goods in connection with the lake
steamers by lowering rates. We should
have the appropriation.
Maurice Shanahan-This question is
largely Of national importance. II the
river Is made navigable this city will be
placed among the list of lake orts.
Our representatives in congress should
act on this matter with public spirit.
l have always been in favor of this
movement, and believe that this city
will never reach the pinnacle OF COM
mercial success until this improvement
II effected. The question of freight
rates is an important one to the busi-
ness Interests of this city. 1t is not only
noticeable in manufactured products,
but in the crude material. The time is
coming when the consumption OF coal
will be greatly increased in this city,
and means must be provided for ample
and cheap facilities for bringing 1t here.
An appropriation should be made on
the ground that it would be national !
improvement.
impsrativeiy Necessary.
o. A. Bsll--This question OF improve
ment needs agitating, that the people
may know the necessity foreimmedi-
ate acton. As is well known by those
who are interested in the matter. the
river and harbor bill 10 now pending in
the senate, but does not contain an sp-
preparation for Grand river. IL the
bill pasees without having incorporated
ia it the amount for Grand river, we
shall have to wait two years longer be-
fore we can get anything. Ii 10 inn
peratlvely necessary that we have the
appropriation now. that active work
may begin this season. No blame can
be attached to Colonel Ludlow for the
delay in submitting bic report because
the appropriation Tor that purpose was
too small TO enable him IN employ help
enough to get il prepared in time for
the consideration OF the house Of repre-
seu,asives. There can be no question
ss tn the benefit that would result TO
the Interests of this city. ltwould SIMPLY
be beyond ones comprehension. IL
the river were opened up We could
have iron Industries here just as we'll
~ they can At Msncelona, Tor We have
every other facility 10 make that in
dussry . suceess. 1hIs city could we'll
afford to bond itself for 800 900 for
improving the river. because the in
crease Of business and the number of
industries would more than compensate
for the sment expended.
James q. AacBfide-I consider u TO
be sn absolute necessity for the welfare
OF the city. The preeent condition ef
freight rates practically snne us cut
from eastern markets on some OF the
seods that We naRufaetns. The vol-
ums Of trade weuid be materially Ia
ereassd With more favorable rates.
Competition by water seems ta be the
only meaBs by which more favorable
rates sAn bs obtainsd.