Birmingham state herald., 1896-01-14
GRANDEST OF ENTERPRISES Building a Canal Between the Tennessee and Gulf Waters. A BIG BALL IS SET ROLLING Mayor VanHoose Revives Deep Interest in an
 Old Project. WHO WILL BE OUR DEWITT CLINTON? :? Important and Valuable Correspondence Already Elicited and No Doubt of
 Widespread Interest
 Aroused.
lH0 WILL BE OUR DEWITT CLINTON :?

Mayor VanHoose has turned the cur rent of his energy and enthusiasm and determination upon project whose sue cessful termination would lend new lus- tre to his good name. It Is an undertak- ing of large proportions, but it is the great results that are to be achieved that will compensate the pains and labor ex- pended.
 It is simply the construction of canal uniting the waters of the Tennessee with the waters of the Warrior and Coosa riv- CTS.
 It is a grand enterprise, whose promo ton would prove of incalculable benefit to the development of the matchless mineral resources of Alabama, to say nothing of enhancing the value to the producer of the home market for every thing grown on our soil.
 Some time last November Mayor Van Hoose was invited by the Commercial club of Birmingham to deliver an address to them on the line of what was most needed to promote the welfare of Bir- mingham. His response was prompt and the subject matter of his remarks and the manner in which he handled his ideas aroused hearty interest and sympathy, which at once took such shape that sub- stantial results were assured. He advo- cated as enterprises which more than all others combined would advance Bir- mingham the manufacture here of steel and the construction of canal uniting the Tennessee and Warrior rivers.
 Immediate interest was taken in both projects. It is true both are old In the hopes and expectations of Birmingham - and Ala abama, but it needs no prophetic vision to disceM that their achievement is now as certain as it Is possible for in telligent effort to accomplish anything in the business. Both enterprises are en- tirely feasible and practicable. and with the widespread interest already elicited in the most enlightened quarters their ac- / complishment is inevitable.
 - Of what has been done with regard to steel plant much has been said, and much remains to be told of a most en- couraging nature. Our people may rest assured Birmingham is bound to become steel manufacturing center. We have passed the delirious period-thank Heaven-of the boom when we all belonged to a sanguine crowd, who lis- tened with credulity to the whispers of fancy and pursued with eagerness the sphantoms of hope. We have got to where we base no expectations except upon the soundest and coolest of business calculations, and pursuing that course we have nothing to fear.
 Birmingham Is going to make tremen- dous strides in the near future, and the State Herald and her brainy and plucky business people are going to make the way clear. Much is to be done, and there is now a spirit in the ozone of this marvelous1y blessed region that means that much will be done.
 Mayor VanHoose was requested by res olution to open up on the subject of the canal. He began work at once and 1n- sttuted correspondence with prominent people far and near. the persons address ed being congressman, civil engineers and others of capacious public spirit con- cerned in the welfare of this district.
 Among those already addressed by MT. VanHoose are all our representatives in congress, T. H. Aldrich, Joseph F. John ston, Governor Oates, J. A. Milner. J. T. Milner, Col. H. Harding, Maj. R. H. FL 1iott A. M. Shook, J. H. Woodward. Thomas Seddon and the mayors of Huntsville. Gadsden. Stevenson. Deca- tur, Tuscumbia Sheffield. Florence, Tus- kaloosa, Rome, Ga, Montgomery, Selma. Demopolis, Mobile Eutaw, Attalla and of every other town in the territory. Let ters are pouring in to the mayor every day evincing the deepest interest in the subject.
 , Mayor VanHoose's Letter. Following is the form of the letter sent out by Mayor VanHoose. which has met with most gratifying responses:
 Birmingham, Ala, Jan. 9, 1896. { Dear Sir: Considerable interest is be- Ing revived here in the discussion of a ca- nal connecting the Tennessee and Warrior rivers using, as far as practicable, such tributary streams as may flow between them.
 My attention has been recently called to the fact that Pittsburg has taken steps to at least investigate the question of a canal from the Messaba ore regions to that city, also to the fact that the over head trolley can easily be utilized for the operation of canal boats. I would, therefore, very much appreciate your views upon this question. and venture to