The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-12-11
MWHY NOT BUILD
4 BIG CANAL?"
Suggests D. W. Blaine in His
Address.
BEFORE THE CONVENTION
Copy of Resolutions Sent
Congressman Murdock.

The chord OF enthusiasm and excite
ment was struck when D. w. Blaine of
Pratt introduced, at the meeting of the
Southwestern Implement and Hardware
Dealers association yesterday, a reso-
luton to construct canal reaching from
the Dskotas TO the Gulf of Mexico When
the resolution was put before the conven-
ton storm of applause greeted its au-
thor and IL was unanimously passed with
out a single objection. The most start
ling feature about it is that the plan for
constructing the proposed canal is not
matter OF improbability. but a perfectly
sarc~propostion, and the voice of the
association was that every effort should
Be put forth for its contamination. II
this should be accomplished it would he
an astounding feat in the development of
the worlds methods of Transportation.
Following is the resolution as adopted:
Whereas. This particular section of
the country is greatly handicapped in the
market for the reason that the railroads
are not giving fair and reasonable freight
rates on some. and that this state of af-
fairs has long continued without i'm
provement Notwithstanding the annual
increase of tonnage which should be a
factor in considering and formulating
freight tariffs; and
Whereas. 1t seems practical that
canal might be constructed through The
great wheat belt of the central west
from the Dakotss to the Gulf beginning
at and intersecting the Missouri river al
point near Pierre, South Dakota, thence
south through western Nebraska, west
ern Kansas. okiahom ana Texas, turn
Ing the channels of the Missouri Platte
the Republican, Smoky HILL Arkansas
and various small rivers which are now
carrying their waters into the Missouri
and Mississippi valleys; directing all these
waters south into the Gulf of Mexico at
some convenient deep water harbor, thus
giving to the country through which the
canal would pass a chain of lakes and
reservoirs TO be used for irrigating pur-
poses. and furnishing means of transpor-
tation for the farm products OF the great
est grain producing wheat belt in the
world at the least possible cost of trans
portation therefore, be it
Resolved That we hereby petition con-
gress to make an appropriation for sur
vey of The proposed canal through the
territory suggested and for the purpose
set forth, that an estimate of the proba-
bic cost Of construction and maintenance
may he ascertained and submitted 10 the
CO.. fms
The association felt so enthused over
the resolution that it was ordered by tho
unanimous consent of those present that
the secretary send a copy of the same
70 The congressman and senator's Of every
state and territory named within the res
olution.
Mr.. Blaine is very anxious in placing
this matter before the public and is ex-
ertinS every power to secure an immedi-
ate recognition of the proposition by
congress as will be seen by letter to
Hon, Victor Murdoch which is hereby
reproduced:
Pratt. Kan, Dec 5. 1919.
Hon Victor Murdoch Washington. DC.
Dear Sir-I notice through the news
paper dispatches from Washington that
you are making a special study of the
western irrigation question with the view
of interesting congress in the develop
ment of the west. With the view of help
ing matters alcng in this direction l
would suggest that YOU try to get a spe-
cial bin through congress making an ap-
propriati for n survey TO ascertain
whether it would be practicable to at
Tempt to change the channel of the Mis-
souri, and other rivers that the canal
might cross. beginning at a point some
where near Pierre. s. D., thence south
through western Nebraska. western Kan
sss and Oklahoma. discharging the wa
tiers of the canal into Red river or fur I
Their south. giving Texas The benefit OF
the canal entering the Gulf Of Mexico at
some convenient deep water harbor.
1t seems To me that after the great food /
OF last summer in the Mississippi and
Missouri river valleys the entire central /
portion Of the United States would join
In movement OF this kind for the pro- (,
lection from foods in the future by maxi I
ing a new channel TO the gulf. and In T
doing so that it would give this western I
country its needed water for irrigation (
purposes and also form n great canal for
transporting the grain produced in the 4