The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-08-28
RAILROAD NEWS.
J. J. Hill Belittles the Proposed
Panama Canal.
His Opinion Similar to That OF
President Ripley.
FAVORS IRRIGATION.
Thinks Congress Should Reclaim
IRRIGATION.
Railroads to Play Important
Part in Oriental Trade.

President j. J. Hill of the Great
Northern railway has taken position
very similar to that of President E. p
Ripley of the Santa Fee concerning the
proposed Panama canal Mr.. Hill be-
lieves that the canal will be unable to
compete with the railroads of the coun-
try and that the cost OF the work will
be incommensurate with the expense in
volved. This is practically the same po-
sition which President Ripley has taken.
Mr.. Hill expressed his views plainly iii
an address before the Trans Mississippi
Commercial congress. He unfolded his
plans for the development of a grea,
trade with China, Japan and other por-
tons of the Orient.
The trend of his argument was
toward increasing the existing means OF
transportation across the American con-
tinent by rail rather than toward build
ing a ship canal down the Mississippi
and another canal across the isthmus
of Panama to get American goods to
the Pacific.
Instead of spending millions to dig an
}thmian canal President Hill thought
the government could do better by irri-
eating the arid lands of the west. This
would build up the farmers industry
and help to furnish the best kind of sup
plies for the trade with China.
From the opening of Japan to for
eign trade that country's trade has in
creased tenfold,'' said Mr.. Hill. The
population of the Orient with which we
might trade constitutes about One-half
the population of the earth
The speaker discussed the prospective
trade with the Chinese, whom he re-
garded as more enterprising and better
business men than the Japanese. He
paid high tribute to the Chinese, say
ing no people on earth could drive an
intelligent Chinaman out of a CONNER
cial proposition.
THE shortest and cheapest route from
the cotton fields to the Orient is by way
of Puget sound and plans are now under
way to handle this growing traffic. AS
low rates can be given across the Pa
cif1c from any point in the United States
as from New York by way of the Suez
canal"
Speaking of the proposed isthmian
ship canal, Mr.. Hill declared he would
not lay straw in the way of its con-
struction at an expense a. $500, 1000, 900
but in his opinion S35, DOC, 600 to $4,000,
600 spent in deepening the channel of
the Mississippi between New Orleans
and st. Louis would give far better re-
suits in tne end.
AS to money spent on the improve
ment of the upper waters of the Mis-
sissippi, Mr.. Hill thought it would be
much better invested in irrigating the
arid regions of the great west The
railroads were not in the habit of TAX
ing into consideration river rates north
of st. Louis in fixing railroad rates, for
the reason that the river business in
that section was comparatively small
and of little value.
MIR. Hill suggested that for irrigation
it would be the best plan for the gov
eminent to irrigate and develop 1000
acres of land at a probable expense of
IS or SO an acre. then sell it for SIS to
$40 an acre, thereby creating a fund
from which to carry on further irriga-
ton schemes without any expense be-
yOnd that first involved.
In discussing the trade which the
railroads and steamship lines would
best be able to carry to the orient. he
argued that that which brought speed
lest relations would be the most profit
able investment insisting that chief at
tention should be paid to farm products
throughout the entire western country
and that it would prove to be very poor
policy to depend on the DEVELOPMENT of
slower manufacturing enterprises or on
the less sure mining wealth of the west
The railroads wanted products which
would make haul for them both ways
thereby making possible lower rates on
what was hauled.