The Florida star. (Titusville, Fla.) 1880-1917, 1901-01-04

The plan briefly outlined Is 70 connect
Chicago and the gulf by way OF the
drainage canal. the Illinois river and
the mississippi. The project. though Of
vast magnitude and entailing enormous
expense. Is entirely feasible. II has
been investigated BY a government
deep waterways commission and re-
ported on to Secretary Root. who In
turn has transmitted the report TO con-
gress. IL lie hardly possible that the
present session VIII find time In Its
rush OF business TO consider the matter.
but the next congress will probably do
so.
The supporters OF the project point
out the benefits thatwould accrue TO the
United States through the waterway,
and fhey contend that the cost OF the
enterprise. though undoubtedly great.
would be more than compensated OF
course the proposed waterway must be
under federal control. since a large
number OF states are directly or indi-
rectly Interested I'm IL The central
states point out that most OF their
products are shipped now at high rates
by rail. and Il costs about 90 cents per
100 pounds to reach the seaboard. With
the new waterway In successful opera
ton this cost would be greatly less
ened.
Ii is pointed out that this facIlitation
OF trade would greatly increase Ameri-
can commerce with our southern neigh
bors. which rightfully belongs to US. IL
we had II feet OF water from Chicago
to the gulf, vessels could load at Chica-
90 or any OF the intermediate cities and
without breaking bulk could reach all
South and Central America With the
Nicaragua canal dug they could easily
supply the wants OF the Pacific islands
and coasts, The cities in the territory
tributary to the proposed waterway are
enthusiastic in their support of the
plan.
Much more could be written OF the
advantages to be derived from the ac-
complIshment OF the idea The only
question. then, is as to Its feasibility.
AS written above. the government COM
mission has reported favorably, which
dispOscs OF the general question OF the
utility and possibility OF the project Ii
is possible to take each section sepa-
ratPly and demonstrate Its practicable
ty. The first section down from Chica-
go would be the drainage canal. When
this was originally planned, depth OF
IA feet was considered sufficient, but
the trustees decided TO make 1t eight
feet more with n view to this very util-
Izatlon Of the canal besides its original
purpose OF providing drainage for Chi
cago. The second section, the Illinois
river, can be dredged TO a sufficient
depth. while the third and longest. the
Mississippi. could. in the opinion OF ex-
pert engineers. he rendered navigable
by the largest vessels.
The Mississippi question is Intimate
~ connected with the irrigation prob
lem OF the far west, AS is we'll known.
the main cause or the practically un-
navigahle condition OF the river Is the
floods that destroy and change the
river channels. These foods can be
controlled aud checked by the storing
80 Ills. Wa!,'r. al I.I" rlV'rS tributary To
;ht MlsSi>Sin.E. w..!Ch Is the purpose
nf ihC irriSat,onisis.
This plan Is only "-ne Of number of
great waterway projects that are In
contemplation. Among others those
looking 10 the direct connection of the
middle west with :he east without
touching Canadian territory are of
great economic and nolitlcal imDor.
lance. HENRY W. MILLER.