Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1896-01-15

Pittsburg, January 14.-In Pittsburg
as we'll as all other cities bordering on
the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, was
held to-day a meeting for the discussion
of the matter OF the improvement of
waterways. 4 large gathering OF the
city's representative business men as
sembled at the Chamber of Commerce
and listened attively and approvingly
TO a number OF speeches on the subject.
Each speaker dwelt on the immense
advantage to accrue from improved
waterways, and many facts and figures
were shown to prove their position.
Owing to unavoidable causes neither
Andrew Carnegie nor Congressman
John Dalzell could be present as an
nounced, but both sent letters endors-
ing any practical scheme for internal
Improvement.
The principal speakers we're S. A.
Thompson, Of Duluth one of the best
posted speakers on internal improve
ments and lake statistics in the coun-
try, and Louis NJ. Haupt, chairman Of
the committee on harbor and naviga-
ton Of the trades league Of Philadel-
phia.
Mr.. Thompson said that if Pittsburg
wants to retain her prestige as the
dominant factor in the iron and steel
trade Of the world, she must have con-
nections outside Of a canal which will
connect the lakes with the ocean. The
building of the Lake Erie and Ohio
river canal is the most important wa
terway improvement that could be
made in this country.
MR. THOMPSON EXPLAINED
the positions and advantages of water
and land transportation, and showed
by making comparisons with other
countries which have improved water
ways that they were a benefit to the
railroads.
Mr.. Thompson thought that money 10
free the MOnOngahela river should be
furnished by Congress and said the
Ohio river, which furnishes so much Of
the tonnage for the Mississippi and its
tributaries. should be by all means i'm
proved with the most modern system
of locks and dams.
Mr.. Haup, In his address gave a his
tory Of the different modes of traffic in
Pennsylvania and produced some start
ling statistics. He dwelt on the early
policy OF the RAILROADS with regard to
water way routes and how traffic had
developed from that time TO the pres
ent "The traffic has developed in the
present time" said he, "tO 40, 600 900
tons east and west Of Pittsburg. The
benefit Of improved river facilities and
the building Of the proposed ship canal
between this city and the lakes has no
limit. The great good it would do to
this section is almost impossible to
conceive The ship canal should be
built and the Ohio should be improved
from its mouth TO its source. The
money for the Improvement of the Ohio
river should be appropriated by Con-
gress and should be spent udiciously.
During the existence of the United
gress and should be spent judiciously.
prOvements the sum Of S30000000 and
in one year alone the lakes have saved
10 shippers alone the enormous sum Of
S150,000. 900.
FOLLOWING MIR. HAUP.
five minute addresses were made by
many of the audience.
A series Of resolutions were adopted,
endorsing the bill placed bafore Con-
gress by Congressman Dalzell yester-
day to grant national charter for the
Lake Erie and Ohio ship canal. call
ing on the government 10 provide mon
ey to free navigation throughout the
country. and insrudnig Congressman
from this district to support such meas
urps