The age-herald., 1899-04-08
IMPORTANCE OF
 VAN LOOSE CANAL
To the Editor of the Age-Herald.

To the Editor of the Age Herald.
 ''The world does not so much require to
 be informed as to be reminded" which is applicable just now.
 have been seriously considering the pose abilities of Birmingham becoming a great distributing point for general merchandise, subject of vital interest to me as mer- chant and manufacturer.
 Birmingham is known to the world as a great coal and iron denter. Her merchant disc interests are not recognized. Even our Commercial clubs stationary etc., simply refers to her coal, iron and steel man. ufacturing center.
 We have here the most important rar- road center in the south, oui
 in every direction. Alabami
 to bloom like a rose and if
 stacle could ever be overcom
 drummers would swarm Ala
 sippi Florida, Georgia and ., ,. 1en- nessee, and the mercantile impartzuaI1Izl1 Birmingham would be as lzals
 as is her iron, coal and steel.
 This obstacle is her interior location, Which deprives her of competitive rates en- loved by Memphis, Savannah and Noble The Bonner's line of steamboats plying be- tween New York and Mobile name a 34 cent rate (if remember correctly on first-class ana proportionately lower rate on ali class down the scale If we had the Wan Hoose canal'' in operation to tide water Mobile-the coal and iron barges rather than return empty to Birmingham, would name 34-eent rate on first-cass from Mo- bile, making a possible rate of sixty y-eigau cents flrst-class from New York to Bir- mingham against the present rate of $l.1f
 some years ago the Commercial club, ar a considerable expense, had MT. A J. Camp who was an expert railroad man, to D! epare a comparative rate sheet, which showed that on outgoing freight Con a mileage basis) We enjoyed the same rates as Mern- phis, Chattanooga, Nashville and Atlanta and so we discovered that the railroads We're not discriminating against in that direction. I have no complaint to make against the railroad companies. They are as much or more interested in Bit- mingham being great producing and dis tributing point as any, and will care for US elsewhere. We obtain the same rates from Boston, Philadelphia, New York and Bal s timore, as do Atlanta, Columbus, and Chattanooga What we need Is possible and practical water competition, and we will force the same low rates from east, west and north as are enjoyed by New Orleans and Mobile
 Few merchants have realized the im- portance of the Wan Hoose canal,'' it effects their direct interest, and this article
 is written with a view of stirring up the mercantile interest actively in seeing that the canal subject is kept before congress. It is not only of interest to us locally, but to the entire south. With the canal in suc- cessful operation Alabama can name the price of coal, iron and steel to the world.
 Manufacturers of merchantabe articles in steel and iron will prosper and grow. Ra" material may be shipped into Birmingham at rates that will enable us to manufacture the same and re-distribute throughout the states of Alabama Mississippi, Georgia, Florida, Louisiana and North and South Carolina.
 The only way we can overcome the ex- cessive rates on dry lead, zinc and linseeds oil is in the economic manufacturing cost resultant of our cheaper labor Largely because of our climate, necessities such as clothing, fuel and houses being cheaper in the south than in the colder climates of the north and east, longer hours of labor etc. Without doubt the south promises to be the great workshop of the nation. Everything is in our favor. We only lack at present capital-this, too, is rapidly recognizing our advantages and it will only be a few years before this obstacle will be no more
 Some years ago a very prominent man in the eastern cotton manufacturing business made the statement that ''one or two things must be done the south would overcome the eastern mills It was that the eastern mills must reduce their pay to operatives and work longer time or the southern manufacturers must increase wages" The building of cotton mills in the south is proving this statement cor rect
 As merchants and manufacturers who have their interests in Birmingham, let view this matter in a purely business light. If congress cannot be induced to make the appropriation, what is $S,500000, the esti- mated cost of the canal, compared to the immense benefits to the district. Twenty five years would easily pay back the in- vestment. The canal is feasible; the gov- ernment engineers have reported favorably and the above estimated cost is for TO- foot canal to McAdory's mill and a 35-foot canal to a point on Village creek near Sloss furnaces, North Birmingham. Some objections are offered that could not get sufficient water the year around. Pitts burg has worse obstacles; low water three months and frozen water another three months, and yet Pittsburg would give $1O0 100000 rather than do away with her waterway, even though she sometimes loses six months in year. I am informed that in August and September only wou!o there be a possible shortage of water suy- ply with us If Pittsburg can do witn three months low and three months frozen water, surely we could manage to stand low water two months in the year. This subject is of vital importance. Let us treat it as such T. l.. MCGOWAN.