Omaha daily bee., 1894-02-25
lRTJFICLiL WATERWAYS.

1t is noteworthy that interest in the con-
struction of artificial waterways is being
simultaneously manifested in Europe and the
United States, and the motive prompting
this interest is the same, namely, that of
obtaining cheaper transportation. The re-
cent opening of the Manchester canal, from
which great results are expected, is familiar
to all newspaper readers. Projects no less
important are being discussed in France and
Italy and will probably be carried out in the
former country, the financial difficulties of
the latter rendering it unlikely that anything
will be done in the near future Nearer home
two projects for artificial waterways are under
consideration, the proposed Cape Cod canal
being one, and the other and by far the
more important project contemplating a con-
nection between the great lakes, which
would bring Chicago nearer by several
hundred miles to the eastern seaboard. This
last scheme is one of great magnitude. in
volving the construction of a canal $50 miles
in length and of a width and depth greater
than any other artificial waterway in this
country. 1t is reported that some of the
largest capitalists in the country are inter
esting themselves in this proposed enter
prise-men who have millions at their COM
mand and whose connection with any under
taking would secure for it almost unlimited
capital.
The movement for artificial waterways is
a recognition of two facts. One is that
transportation must seek the shortest paths
and the other that these waterways are nee
essary to the just regulation of the cost Of
tra N yrnrtntipn Thnt- Jntya oIrpIuntIt, nc
tablished their claim to consideration in the
latter respect. The Erie canal, for example,
has eXerted a great influence upon rates be-
tween the west and the seaboard. notwith-
standing it's very limited capacity, and so
useful has it been in this respect that there
is an urgent demand to have it's capacity
doubled. The proposal to construct a canal
across the Michigan peninsula is the most
important yet made. with the exception of
that for building a ship canal around Mag
ara Falls. There is no question as to the
practicability of constructing such a water
way, nor is there much reason to doubt that
1t would be profitable. if the outlay in build
ing it were kept within reasonable limits.
During the season of pavigation such a canal
would undoubtedly be crowded with traffic
all the time. so that with moderate tolls it
would doubtless be a. paying investment.
The producers of the northwest are par
ticularly interested in these projects for arti-
fetal waterways. for If carried into effect
they will mean both quicker and cheaper
transportation to the seaboard for the pro-
ducts of the northwest. The existing facil-
tiles for moving the grain of this section to
the east are no more than equal to the de-
mand. Indeed they are not sufficient when
the crops exceed the average, and their in
adequacy will increase with the development
Of this section, for 1t will doubtless be many
years before there is any more railroad con-
struction between the west and the east.
Reliance for increased facilities must be
upon artificial waterways. and these will
come when the demand for them becomes
more urgent.