Evening journal., 1904-09-24
TRADE BOARD
OPENS CAMPAIGN
FOR SHIP CANAL
Trip on Yacht Tech Showed
Members Work to be
Done
ENTIRE WATERWAY INSPECTED
Business Men of City Given
Chance to Acquaint Them
selves With Project

The trip Of the canal committee of the
Board of Trade and its guests on II.
Coleman DuPont's yacht Tech yesterday
through the Chesapeake and Delaware
Canal was the opening Of the winter s
campaign in favor of the government ac-
quiring the property, Strengthening, deep
ening and widening il. The trip was taken
so that those interested will be able to
talk more intelligently about it when the
occasion requires. Although sali those
present have been working hard for the
project believing that it was good one,
few had ever been through the canal from
Delaware City to Chesapeake City. The
trip was a success in every way and all
came home last evening more enthusiastic
than ever over the proposition.
Aside from this the trip was an enjoy
able social affair. The party was con-
genial one and fully enjoyed the hospital
ity Of Mr.. DUPONT. From the time they
left Frencn street wharf yesterday morn
ing until the return last evening. he was
ever on the lookout for the comfort and
convenience Of his guests. The day was
an ideal one. Although the air was cool
the sun was 50 warm that all spent the
day sitting on the deck. The country
passed through is charming and Former
Senator Anthony Higgins his brother
John Higgins consul to Dundee Scotland,
and Captain Philip Reybold, who are IA
miliar with everything I'm that section
chatted entertainingly about every point
of interest passed. They related many
things concerning the history Of the farms
bordering the canal and their Inhabitants.
At Delaware City Mayor w. T. Smith,
of chat place: the Hon. John C.. Higgins.
Joseph Reeves. Thomas c. Reeves and
Thomas G. cleaver, superintendent of
the canal company boarded the boat AT
ST. Georges the party was Joined by the
Rev. J. r. Ailligan. Or. J. ID. Dewitt,
Theodore Jones. Harry c. Clark and A.
N. sutton.
Saw Advantage Of Project.
If anyone had any doubts about the
feasibility and practbility Of the ship
canal plan before taking the trip they lost
them yesterday. As soon as the vessel left
Delaware CITY it was made plain to the
strangers that the canal was not wide OF
deep enough. They readily saw how If il
were large enough large coast-wise going
vessels from Philadelphia TO southern
ports would use it instead of going around
the 800 miles outside course. AS il is at
present the vessels that carry freight
through the canal have to discharge their
cargoes at Baltimore where they are
transferred to the larger bay boats.
If the canal was large enough for the
bay or coast wise boats this would be un-
necessary. The expense of the transfer in
Baltimore would be saved to say nothing
of the saving in time which means much
10 the shipper. They also saw how mil
lions of tons Of freight which is now car
ried in other ways would be carried
through the inland water. This city would
get its share of the repairs to be made
10 the vessels New markets would be
opened up which would benefit Whining.
ton directly.
1t Is ESTIMATED that if the canal was
built as proposed that 5O.0O0,0oO tons OF
freight would be carried through it an.
nuaily. The estimated cost of the canal 4.
but SlO.0O0.Ol0 while the Panama canal viii
cost oCo and the freight that VIII
be carried through It is only placed al
one-sixth OF the amount II is estimated
will go through the Delaware Canal.
Value Of Defense.
The committee also got a.clear idea o
what value the canal would be as a ma
tional defense. AS the boat passed alonf
from the Delaware almost into the Ches
onnai-o bav fhov eould nof helm buf 60,