The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-11-28
HARAHAN ANXIOUS FOR ISTHMIAN CANAL Illinois Central Wants New Dr. leans for Deep Water Outlet OPPOSITION IS DISCUSSED While Mr. Harahan Is In Favor of the Nicaragua Route, He Would Accept
 the Panama Route Rather
 Than None at All.
OPPOSITION IS DISCUSSED

According to a dispatch from Memphis to the New York Commercial, the Illinois Central railroad Is anxious for a canal to be built across the isthmus, without and regard as to which route Is taken The dispatch dwells on the opposition of the railroads in general, and says:
 while thelr antagonistic attitude is in evidence, it Is in contrast with that of the Illinois Central, one of the most powerful north and south systems. connecting the expansive and productive northwest with New Orleans as an important outlet to deep water; for. according to statements made by one of it's officers, Vice Presl- dent J. T. Harahan, it is in favor and champion of the Nicaragua route in or der to bring the Gulf of Mexico into closer relation for the advancement of American trade in the Orient. While here a few days ago. MT. Harahan distinctly said that Stuyvesant Fish, president of the company, is an enthusiastic advocate of the waterway across Nicaragua.
 All for New Orleans.
 ''Mr. Harahan said that this was be-
 
 have New Orleans, its deep-water outlet, nearer the canal than it would be if the Panama canal is built, as it would mean a saving of time and expense in the op- erations of steamships carrying exports to the far east.
 But" said MT Harahan, whether It be Nicaragua or Panama, let a canal be built via one route or the other. While the preference of the Illinois Central is for the first named, I assume the com pany would not oppose the latter The entire south, southeast and southwest Is vitally concerned in shortening the route from this section of the country to the orient, where, believe. incalculable pos abilities of trade development are dor mant for lack of closer and necessarily quicker traffic communication and gener- al trade relations. The productive re- sources of the south, particularly, are in- creasing at such a rate as to demand a wider market. These resources are not limited to the production of cotton alone, but include iron, timber and the products of it's increasing lumber mills. especially in the line of cotton fabric manufactur- ing.
 "The south would receive a quickening impulse along industrial lines as no other section of the country were one or the other of the canals built. This applies with especial emphasis to the cotton fac- tories. firmly believe that with canal shortening the distance to the orient the number of cotton mills in the southern tnt n rnta nh nal in its impetus, and the states lying closest to the gulf would feel the new im- pulse in a marked degree.
 Would Run to the Orient.
 While the Illinois Central now oper- ates a line of ocean vessels between New Orleans and European ports, the opening of a canal route across Central America would inevitably result in the operation of steamers to the Orient. Besides the export business of the Illinois Central would grow to much greater proportions with the trade of the Orient opened to ships by route saving thousands of miles In distance, and necessarily great ly reducing the cost of transporting ton- mage"
 Asked if he believed a canal would be built by this government, Vice President Harahan replied:
 Yes I believe either the Nicaragua or the Panama canal will eventually be con structed, for the press of the country seems to be unanimous in favor of the enterprise, and the fact that the news papers are urging the matter is take it, indicative of the sentiment of the peo- ple."