New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-09-23
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
WHY CANAL SHOULD BE ENLARGED.
a Reply to Assemblyman Landon-Mis-
takes Pointed Out.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir; Assemblyman Landon. by his letter 20 the
editor in to-day's Tribune, admits the value Of
canals. as shown by their progress in Germany.
France. Russia, Austria, Italy and Belgium. He
admits the value of the money spent by France
for the benefit Of Normandy. Champagne. Bur
gundy and all the others. He admits that Ger
many is spending ali this money on canals for the
benefit OF all Germany. He says that Canada
is spending money canal systems that will not
only help its great seaport. Montreal. but the
provinces Of Ontario, Manitoba and all the others,
and adds that the Canadian Government is do
ing the work MOLLY and well for the sake Of all
Canada"
This admission IS worth much. and the propo-
sition is for this great Empire state OF New-York
likewise 10 do the work we'll and noby for the
sake OF the State through which the Erie Canal
runs from its beginning to its end. We have be-
fore the people a single. concrete plan. which is
for the Empire State Of New-York TO DO this work
'nobly and well" that will not only help its
great seaport" New-York. but also the lake port
OF Buffalo and all the intervening country. This
plan We have. M Landon admits its value. and
to fail TO pass the because Of the question
OF who shah pay for II is 10 throw away all these
benefits which ne has pointed out for there is
no definite proposition for the nation to build II
And this means further to assist Canada In Its
effort to favor its great seaport Of Montreal
Our separate sovereign States occupy totally
different relation to the whole than do the divisions
OF foreign countries. which in no sense states
with the rights and obligations we understand
them. In this sense the whole State Of New-foTk
stands more in the place OF the nations abroad
and counties in the place Of their divisions
But, a matter Of fact canal building In Europe
IS sometimes undertaken by separate State and
rot by the nation. Mr. Landon asks: rs Prussia
buildinC canals to help Saxony. Bavaria OF any
other Of the States2' He says, No; out. as d
matter Of fact Prussia is engaged in canal con-
struction Of its own, for its own people, OUTSIDE
OF the vaster work being done oy the German
Empire -, -.
Mr.. Landon further makes the re!naT I .,r5
meut that there is no canal in the Norlu, lnu
there is none building. where bulk breakln6 has
TO take place and that all that are oulloHly ar
OF ship size. He therefore argues that we ShOulu
enlarge the Erie Canal to ship size 10 prevent
bulk breaking and that the nation shoHlC pay
for it. well knowing that TO abandon the prSseHC
project IN favor OF the other would be 10 ma
no canal at all and to lose the oenets LoI "II-oA
he has argued. =, l., -,,ar,,-
Now as matter Of fact, Mr.. Landon Is Wholly
IN error for ship canals are rarity. me tlt4.
German scheme Of canRlization Is WorklLg " -
a cauacitv Of coo tons. which is the capaClIy o.
the great Rhine-clbe canal OF 10 miles N eAs III
This greatest Of actually projected European gu
ais is of the same capacity as that proJeCIeu Ios
500 tons and that Of La Louviere or 80 TONS. A..
4 shin canal IS projected for Russia, II = Tue
Of great length. but all ship canaiS. 70 De PI,c
t5.al must he short comparatively speaking 1 ne
80 son for this Is well explained In PToLesSoI
Rurr's letter ia The Tribune OF Septelnber 10 1As
10 the bulk breaking feature the inIerEIeW VIZ ~
Colonel Svrnors in The Tribune Of September H.
sets that matter forth r,--o>- rpouorrrI
>-----vo-l- Sent % 1916.