The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1903-11-05

CITIZENS SHOW NO INTEREST.
Postoffice Building and Better Harbor
Could be Secured If Need of 1t is Shown
to the Government Officials
To the Editor of the TELEGRAPH


COURIER:
There appeared in your paper, re-
Gently, an editorial expressing disap-
pointment that the Chief of Engineers
u. S. A. had not recommended any
money for Kenosha harbor. A knowl
edge OF the facts would perhaps soothe
your feelings.
The last appropriation made for our
harbor, through the skillful diplomacy
of the Hon. Hal. Cooper, amounted to
$192, 100000, and was sufficient to COM
,plete the entire improvement and leave
surplus for maintenance. The work
was so we'll done that the balance for
maintenance will last sometime. Why,
theu, should Kenosha expect any more
money from the Government? She
obtained in one lump sum more than
she had received in the previous thirty
years, and should be satisfied. She
has twenty feet of water in her harbor
more than either Chicago or Milwau-
kee-and an outside breakwater to pro-
tect it's entrance. The latter was con-
sidered so far in the future by the &C.
tive advocates of the harbor, that they
never dared ask for it, but Cooper did
and got it. Now we have it and some
criticism has been made that it still
lets in some rough seas, sometimes.
Perhaps that is so, but the harbor is
better thousand times than it used to
be. It would not do to shut up the en-
trance entirely, and still pretend to
offer harbor of refuge. The COM
plants against the outside breakwater
of DETECTING heavy waves into the
harbor, are much like those Of the yes
se1men in Chicago when current was
first secured in the Chicago river; they
would have preferred to sail in the
filthy sluggish stream.
But one hears no complaints now in
Chicago, nor should we in Kenosha.
Possibly slight modification or ex-
tension of the breakwater might amel-
iorate conditions, but not much, for
there is not much improvement possi-
BILE. Capt. Warren, U. S. Engineer, is
| TO be congratulated on the thorough
ness and promptness with which the
entrance was widened and deepened,
and the old breakwater repaired and
new outside one built, and those citi-
zens in Kenosha who understand the
facts, appreciate the work done.
There is no reason for disappoint-
ment on the part of Kenosha, butthere
should be on the part of the Govern
ment. From the time the harbor was
completed its business has steadily de-
creased. Steamboat after steamboat
has attempted TO open up traffic with
Chicago. but failed of success because
of lack of support from the manufac.
turers and citizens of Kenosha. This,
however, does not prove that the har-
Dor is failure, but that the North
| Western railroad has been forced to
make rates SO low that no boat could
compete. I hear of rates as low as
two and one-half and three cents per
hundred from Chicago, but all do not
enjoy these rates.
Does any one suppose that such rates
would be continued but for fear Of a
steamboat line? The people of Keno
sha, before asking for any more favors
of Congress, should utilize the advan-
tages they have.
Boat competition should be kept
alive for the sake of retaining the rail-
road rates now made and securing
lower ones. Those who think change
in the breakwater needed, before CO.
ing to Congress for aid, should help to-
increase the business of the harbor.
This increase will come some day in
the form Of car-ferries, which will not
only cross over to Michigan and make
direct connection with eastern and
southern roads there, but will make
deliveries to all points on TIE Milwau-
kee and Chicago rivers,-yes, and ulti-
mately, via the Drainage canal and
connect with st. Louis. Then the
Chicago & North Western railroad will
have 70 sprint to secure the local SER
vice to our big reighbors.
Let us stop this cry of disappoint-
ment at not having hand in every
congressional spork barre1l.' If we
must have some assistance, let rs con-
centrate our efforts on new postofice
so badly needed ia Kenosha. Wehave
an able and distinguished Senator,
Hon. J. v. Quarles, son Of Kenosha,
a member of the committee on public
buildings in the United States Senate.
Our senior Senator, Hon. John G.
Spooner, can be relied upon to throw
his immense influence on our side;
while in the House of Representatives
we have the Hon. Hal Cooper, who has
been always jealous and skillfu1 in the
interests OF Kenosha, and can. be re-
lied upon to secure attention In that
branch Of Congress. Surely with