The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-06-18
CONGRESS FORGOT
THE NICARAGUA,
But the Chamber of Com
MERGE Again Agitates
the Canal.
IN A STIRRING APPEAL.
Agriculture, Manufactures and
Commerce Demand a Cheap
Waterway.
PERSEVERANCE, IS NECESSARY.
With One Anticipated Exception, All
the Coast Delegation in Congress
Deserve Thanks"
PERSEVERANCE IS NECESSARY

The following address to the CONNER
cial bodies and public OF the Pacific Coast
was issued yesterday by the Chamber of
Commerce:
THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF SAN FRANCISCO.
To the CGpamercidI Organizations and Our Eel
lotO Citizens Of the Pacific CoGst-GENTLEMEN:
Congress has again adjourned without enact
ing the legislation insuring the construction
of the Nicaragua canal, although with favor
able report from the Committees on Commerce
of both houses.
The natural feeling of resentment at the
neglect of great public benefcence because
it has not the propulsion of private interest,
must not permit us to abate our exertions and
demands for favorable action during the last
session OF the Fifty-fourtn Congress. We have
five months for active propaganda, and agen-
eral election in which to press our demands
We are not restricted in our efforts by mercan-
tile interests alone; our producers are suffer
ing so keenly for cheap, short transportation
by water to the markets where nearly all our
products are disposed of, that we are assured
of their active sympathy and aid. while the
necessity OF the canal from a National stand
point is more apparent every year.
Our National prosperity influence and safety
so largely depend upon the control of the
Nicaragua Canal by the United States Govern
ment, jointly with our sister Republic OF
Nicaragua, that on this ground alone the canal
will finally overcome all opponents. We have
powerful friends in the Gulf and Mississippi
Valley States. while the Atlantic Coast is with
US on account of the great impetus the canal
will give to American shipping. Even the in
land transportation corporations that have
opposed US are gradually recognizing that the
canal is q benefcent work which will impure
no vested interest, but will increase their
traffic. We have no doubt of the great future
in store for the port of San Francisco, but it is
at this time in sore need of this aid to its pros
perity. Why, then, should we idly fold our
arms and forget that "God helps those who
help Themselves"
With one anticipated exception all the Pa
cifc Coast delegation in Congress deserve our
thanks. They have done all in their power to
aid US, and Will do so again when they return
to Congress. Let us then make this a cam
paign issue without regard to party. The can
didate who pledges himself to work for the
canal is our friend and must be assured of our
support. The candidate who ignores our cry
for aid is our enemy and deserves Reproduction
Let every citizen on the Pacific Coast write to
friends all over our broad land asking in the
name of patriotism and as proof OF their per-
sonal good will that they will urge their Sem
ators and Representatives to demand legisla-
ton which will secure US this urgent necessity
before the termination of the Fifty fourth Con-
gress. Let the claims of relationship and old
associations, the mutual interests of business
intercourse, the loyalty which may properly
demand that one section of our country shall
not call in vain upon another for ad-all be
availed of to overcome the inertia of indiffer-
ence which has made Congress ignore great
National progressive enterprise which will be
specially the salvation of the Pacific Coast. In
vain may we look for radical improvement in
the possibility of political change.
Opinions may honestly differ on questions
of tariff and free silver, but we all know that
the canal is the solution of the great question
of cheap transportation for the products of the
Pacific Coast. On this all parties can unite;
have-in fact, already and repeatedly united
but failed us when the time for legislation ar
rived, because of the absence of selfish inter-
ests insisting on a fulfillment of party pledges
And so we urge you in the name of our suf-
fering farmers, our stagnant industries, our
hampered commerce to agitate, TO demand
and to never cease an insistance on such legis-
lation as will secure "sn American canal I'M
der American control" for the benefit of our
people, under conditions which shall prevent
discrimina ton and secure us short, cheap
waterway to the Atlantic. Therein, believe u.s.
is the main solution of our prosperity We
urge your action in your own interest and for
the public welfare.
We respectfully request the public press to
circulate this address and to aid our efforts
with its powerful influence.
HUGH CRAIG, PRESIDENT
JOHN L. HOWARD, LOUIS B. PARROT,
First Vice President. Second Vice President.
". H. DIMoND VIM. L. MERRY JAS. f. CHAP
MAN. CHAs. NELSON, A. J. RALsToN, GEO. A.
NEwHALL, LOUIS SLoss JR., ARTHUR G. TowNE
II. II. SCOTT, A. B. FIELD, +. w. VAN SICKLEN
CHAs. NJ. YATES, Trustees.