The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1898-12-01
THURSDAY, DECEMBER L.
" Kenosha S Opportunity. !"

it must be decided whether she shall!
become a much larger city, or remain
practically village.
Looking back prior to 1885 Kenosha
was bound down by the debt incurred
in the issue of bonds to induce the
building Of the KenOsha and Rockford
railroad. This railroad was undoubt-
eddy of great Importance to KenOsha in
early days, but it has been of little use
since it came under the control of the
C. q N. w. railroad. The older
residents of Kenosha know of the
efforts made under Mr. Simmons
leadership, to refund the debt, and the
city is now under comparatively
small Indebtedness. Since the refund
ing of the debt the city has known
new prosperity. KenOsha has flourish
ed to as great degree as most cities.
But we have reached that stage where
additional incentive to prosperity is
needed. There is no doubt that the @.
&c n. W. railroad has given as good
facilities to KenOsha, to the large
manufacturers at least as could be
given by any one road. But railroads
are human and will not give up more
than they have to- This has already
been proven. 1t is impossible to sat-
isfy stranger looking for a manufac-
turing site that city Of one railroad
is as good as one with two, or with good
steamboat connections. Even the
favored manufacturers of KenOsha
must admit that they some times have
cause for complaint. 1t is not unusual
to hear unpOsted people say that Ke-,
rnosha with one road receives as good
rates as Racine with two. Every
manufacturer with a special rate,
knows that be does not let his neighbor
know what he is doing, and how does
he know what his competitors in Ra-
cine are doing? In spite of agreements
between railroads, lately declared
illegal, there is no doubt that Racine is
benefited by it's two roads..and two lines
of boats. There is evidence to prove
that lake transportation has tendency
to reduce rates. Railroad rates to
Waukegan were reduced 20 per cent by
the landing of the Burke line of steam
boats this season. Harbors are open
to all bOats-they cannot be confined
to a pool or combination, and water
rates have always been the greatest
safeguard against railroadssscOmbina
tons The people Of Kenosha must
look to lake transportation to reduce
the prices on groceries and household
supplies to a par with oChicagO and
Milwaukee.
Kenosha's opportunity has arrived.
She has a natural river harbor, superior
to any on Lake Michigan. 1t is not
large, but susceptible of enlargement
by extension north and west of the
island. 1t has an entrance.with piers
extended into twentyfeet of water.
She has, as Representative in Con,
gress, a man of marked ability; mem
Der of the River and Harbors Commit
tee of the House, with a good chance of
being the Chairman. He has obtained
good appropriations for Kenosha in
every River and HarbOr bill passed
since he entered Congress. He is alive
to our needs, feels kindly towards us,
and is willing to do his part. The
times are ripe for public improvement.
But Mr.. Cooper has right to expect
that Kenosha will do her share.
One of the most pressing needs of
Kenosha just now is to have her harbor
entrance between the piers widened
from 165 to 250 feet. This can be
readily secured at this time. The
north pier with the exception of a few
hundred feet at the east end, is rotted
and useless. KenOsha must furnish
the land and the government will re-
move to the north as much of the piel
as is sound and rebuild the balance
Only an ordinary dock frontage is re-
CURED from the inner harbor.
But Kenosha is so situated between
Milwaukee and Chicago that she must
furnish harbor of refuge. Racine
cannot do it on account of the reef
The government should furnish harborG
of refuge on the lakes about fifty miles
apart. Vessels from north or south
should be able to run intoYKenosha il
case of sudden storm. In the last gale
our harbor was souAht for.refuge by
almost enough vessels to fill it. TIC
afford safe, entrance in the most
severe storms, Kenoshasmust have ar
outside breakwater Milwaukee
and Chicago. that will protect the