The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-07-12
THE AUSTRIAN CANAL SYSTEM.
4 scheme of Far-ReachIne CONNER
ciaI Importance


Carl Bailey Hurst the american Consul
General at Vienna. writes to the state
Department that Austria has just adopted
a measure for system of canals that is
of far-reaching Importance He SAYS this
undertaking VIII do more than anything
Yet devised 10 promote the commerce Of
she country. as it will not Only bring the
various provinces into closer touch with
each other. but VIII afford the cheapest
freight connections with Germany and
Russia
Mr., Hurst describes the measure as
follows.
The measure provides for % a canal
from the Danube TO the River CIer. %
a canal from the Danube to the MoldaU.
near Budweis. in connection with the ca
nalization OF the MoEdau from Budweis to
Prague; CD = canal from the Danube
oder Canal to the Upper EIbe in addi-
ton to the canaiization Of the iuteryen-
ing Elbe bed as far as MeInik; ~ a CT
nal from the Danube-Oder Canal TO the
Fistula, and TO some navigabIe portion
Of the Dniester.
These 992 to L05i miles Of navieable
water ways are to be constructed by the
State with the cooperation Of the pro-
vinces, districts, and towns, in particu-
lar the cities of Vienna and Prague,
which are to furnish proportionate con-
tributions- To guarantee the contribu-
tons. the Government is to begin imme-
date negotiations with the interested
provincial representatives, and with the
municipalities Of Vienna and Prague. It
may be mentioned that the contributions
can be made either by single payment or
in annual instalIments, or through the
erection Of certain portions Of the design
ed work-such as harbors, docks, and
streets leading to them-or through the
eessiOn OF land or REIMBURSEMENT Of 9TH
CT property rights and of rights to the
waterways &c which those concerned
might otherwise De entitled by existing
laws
THE work OF construction must begin.
at latest. some time during the year 1894
The necessary preliminary work must be
so calculated that the whole system viii
be finished within twenty years. The cost
Of construction, in so far as this cost has
not already been covered through the
contributions Of the various interested
sections, IS to be met by an issue of 4
per cent. tax free Government bonds, re
deemable within ninety years. The Gov
eminent Is empowered to Issue these
bonds to an amount not 10 exceed SJ9.-
10000 during the period Of construction.
from the year 1895 t0the end Of 1912, and
the money thus raised shall be used only
in building the designated waterways.
For the expenses of construction after the
year 1912, the necessary legislative meas
ures VIII be taken later
The Government is authorized 20 de-
termiEle finally the exact routes fs.r the
canals IN question. Any deviation from
the conditions OF the programme already
fixed by law, or for any enlargement be
yoad the limits OF the prescribed plans
vii! require especial legislative approval
All matters connected with the execution
of the canal project shall fall within the
jurisdict iou Of the Ministry of Commerce.
which IS entrusted with the carrying out
Of the work The entire cost Of construc-
ton is estimated at SI52, $50, go. The ca
nails are designed to admit boats up 20 Coz
tons burden.
1t VIII be seen from this really great
scheme that the Austrian Government is
making energetic efforts for the building
up Of her commerce Although the tOpo-
graphical condsuration viii render the
work of construction difficult and the Sc
we're winters viii close the canals FOR a
considerable time each year, the system
viii be OF iacalcuIabI benefit 10 the
whole country and VIII connect Austria
more closely gith her ueighborS-CTeTna-
ny and Russia Not only viii the cost Of
freight from the German seaports be ap-
probably less. but many portions of the
interior now practically Inaccessible 70
extensive trade can then he successfully
developed Coal, lumber, and other pro
ducts, which in certain remote districts
cannot be utilized on account Of cost OF
transportation. may then be brought into
the market Il is to be hoped that with
the completion Of these waterways. our
American products can be more cheaply
introduced into Austria-Hungary than at