The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-01-15
PLAN TO IMPROVE CAPE FEAR RIVER.
Major hale Before the House Committee. The
Durham Public Building Bill to be
Introduced Today
(SpeciaI 10 News and Observer.)

Especial TO News and ObSerNcfD
Washington, ID. c., Jan. 14.-Major +.
j. Hale, of Fayetteville appeared today
before Chairman Burton's House Com
mittee on Rivers and Harbors and prc.
sented the case of the Cape Fear River
Improvement plan, in which the United
States engineer reports that eight feet
at low water throughout the year may
be obtained. 1t calls for a total appro-
priation of 81 $4,000 but it's friends will
be content for the present with an APP
preparation of any amount sufficient to
begin the work on the plan recommend
ed by Capt. Lucas. This provides for
three locks each $50 in the chamber and
2S feet wide with movable dams 10 feet
long the plan being similar to that en-
ployed on the Kanawha River.
The distinguishing feature of MAJOR
Hale'S argument was the demonstration
which seemed to greatly impress the
committee, that the peculiar seacoast OF
North Carolina, jutting out over $50
miles east of the normal line, was re-
sponsible for the hitherto commercial in
feriority of our State to her neighbors.
and that except approach to our bagll
and Fayetteville, which is precisely on
the normal coast line the trade OF cen
trail and western North Carolina is in
tercepted by the ports of neighboring
States over shorter lines.
He also contrasts the coast of the
Manchester ship canal, seventy-five mil
lion dollars-serving seven and half
millions of people, with the last of the
proposed Cape Fear Improvement which
will serve two millions of people. He
said that if the British could value an
Englishman for such purposes at ten
dollars per head, the American Govern
ment might afford to value an American
at 6S cent per head, which would be the
cost per head of people severed by the
Cape Fear River scheme.
SenatoN Simmons and Representative
Pou were present and say that the COM
mittee was most favorably impressed by
Major Hale's speech and elaborate maps
and other telling exhibits were handed
the committee as the argument proceed
ed. 1t was a great presentation Of a
scheme which means much for our State.
1t will be recalled that this plan has
the endorsement of our legislature.
IJuTlnB the uiSCuSSlOn Oh the penStpu
bill in the House Monday. Congressman
Rixey, of Virginia stated that North
Carolina spent 100000 in pensions for ex
Confederates, giving to ex-pesioners from
$l4 to $52 This was such glaring mis-
statement that the talented young mem
ber from the Raleigh district Hon. e.
W. Pou could not allow it to go un-
challenged. He secured recognition and
in vigorous two minutes speech, in
which he had the undivided attention OF
the House. showed that our State spent
5000, 900 in pensions to our soldiers, Civ
ing to each pensioner from $40 TO $l20,
Mr.. Pou is one OF the ablest young men
our State ever sent here, and he will
be heard from in due time.
A party of Congressman seemed to be
surprised day or two ago when Hon.
w w Kitchin, of the Fifth District, told
them that four per cent of the receipts
Of internal revenue paid by Durham last
year would erect the building asked for
by him for that town, or that the net
profits of the postoffice there for last
year would pay interest on a sum suffi-
cient to erect four such buildings. Mr..
Kitchin has this and the Winston Bill
much at heart. Senator Simmons will
introduce the Durham bill in the Senate
tomorrow.
President pro tenn Frye called Sena-
tor Simmons to the chair and our Senator
presided during most Of today's session
Of the Senate. He presided like vet
eran. This is an unusual honor, as no
other Senator has been called to the
chair during this Congress.
The delegation of Winston Salem ladies
will arrive tonight 10 invite President
Roosevelt 20 attend the centennial cele-
bration OF Salem Female Academy. Sen
ators Simmons and Pritchard and most
If not ALL the House delegation will ac-
company the ladies TO the White House
tomorrow
Senator Pritchard arrived today and
found great array OF the faithful anx-
iously ard impatiently awaiting his arri-
val North Carolina Republicans are here
in force But there was no new develop
nents today in the District Attorneyship
fight.
Sam w Kelly has been appointed
postmaster at Angle; Almarine d. Hill
at Farmville; Albert B. Adkins at Beth
lohem. and John e. Pearson at Motor.
Redwood is the name of new Office
established in Durham county with
Lconidas Jones as postmaster