Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-05-16


length Its tributaries have 1900 miles
OF navigable water. making 5000 miles
on waterway upon which to float pro-
ducts. With improved facilities for
transportation, the change will rival
the great lamp of Aladdin The Ohio
creates more tonnage, and it can be re-
moved cheaper than on any other river,
or any other mode of transportation in
the world. Coal is moved at a cost of
one-third of a mill per ton per mile.
Six of the richest States border upon
the stream. They have been called an
empire, with nearly 25,000,00o people,
with sell unsurpassed, rich in minerals.
The history of these States has been the
history of the country. There are many
reasons for neglect to improve the
river. Want of concert OF action was
one reason. No survey had been made
no plans formulated. In the third
place. people thought steamboatmen
ought to take the initiative. Up until
1895 people of the Ohio Valley did not
realize the Importance of the subject.
They were idle, allowing the seashore
and lake shore a practical monopoly of
government contribution.
Ohio river improvement is far more
important to commerce than the inn
provement of any harbor. The move
ment to improve the stream-the most
important enterprise of the century
was started in 1895. Congress has made
liberal appropriations, and definite
plan for the permanent Improvement of
the river has been adopted system
of locks and dams which will provide
continuous and uninterrupted naviga~
ton throughout the year. Work has
been started upon the five dams below
Davis Island, and a survey was mace
from Pittsburg to Marietta.
Congress has ordered the construction
of lock and dam No. 10 below Wheel
ing. for which bids have been opened
and upon which work will be started
within a short time. To briefly express
results. since the organization OF the
Ohio Valley Improvement Association
in 1895, more money has been secured
from the government cor the improve
ment of the Ohio Valley than has been
secured in all the previous history OF
the country. All the interests of the
valley are to be congratulated.
Col. Vance said he could not impress
too strongly the Importance OF river I'M
provement. He spoke of the boundless
possibilities opened up by the SUBJECT
The record of improved waterways
shows universally increased commerce
and population. Col Vance spoke or
the effect of improvement of WATERWAYS
in France, Germany and Great Britain
He next devoted tention to the con-
struction of low bridges and infringe
ment upon harbor lines. He said all
intelligent men are urging the i'm
portance of river improvement, and he
added that West Virginia is as much
or more vitality interested than any
other State bordering on the Ohio. He
complimented Senator Scott and Capt
Dovener, and said their services could
not be forgotten by the friends of in
land improvement. He also thanked
Messrs. Quarter, Hazlett. Sands. Peter
son and O'Brien for their services, and
said he might extend the list If he had
the time.
Col Vance closed with a very pretty
word picture of the Ohio Valley. when
the scheme of river improvement shall
have been carried to completion.
Mr.. E. NJ Gilkeson addressed the
meeting, saying he had never listened
to three more excellent addresses than
had been delivered before the conyen-
ton, and he moved vote OF thanks
which was unanimously extended.
The committee on topics for discus-
sion was not ready to report AMI tho
meeting adjourned at $50 o'clock.
Rates to the Pan-American Expo
sition are undetermined. hut our
prices are not. We have only the
best of goods and our prices are
goods. Give US call and be con-
WINGED. Our place is 1917 Market
nearly opposite postoffIce. Our tel
ephone. 1922. We deliver goods up
KENNEY LIQUOR STORE.
-----xs-----