Evening journal., 1904-03-11
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Many Bills.


Many Bills.
For twenty years bills of one kind
or another have been constantly pend |
ing in Congress. looking toward the
United States constructing and owning
an open, Free deep, ship canal, con-
Meeting these two great estuaries, /
which with their navigable tributaries
have a shore line Of over 2500 miles, or
longer than from Wilmington, Della
ware. to san Francisco. California, or
three times the distance from Maine to
Florida, with nearly 10000 registered
boats thereon and am annual commerce
estimated to be eight times that OF the
Suez Canal and more than twice asI
much as the entire foreign commerce
of the United States.
I'm the language of ope of the most
distinguished and conservative mem-
bers of the House Of Representatives..
and chairman of one of the most i'm
lportant committees, 1t is wonder
that the Delaware ship Canal has not
been taken up and constructed by the
national government long ago
"This seems to be the unanimous
lopinion of every one who has given the
matter any consideration whatever or
who has taken a glance at the map
land noticed that IA miles Of land OBJ
structs the play and development Of
this enormous commerce and forces a
battleship at Delaware City, in order
to make the round trip TO and from
Chesapeake City. IA miles distant, to
go over 500 miles, passing dangerous
capes four times much Of the journey
being on the open ocean.
steadily year by year world con-
ditions have been forcing upon us the
development of a large navy AND strong
coast defenses as the only certain
means Of insuring our peace and Sc
curity.
Willing TO Back Policy.
"The American people have again and
again shown that they are willing to
back this policy to the limit of neces-
sity. They do not expect war. but are
not so foolish as to close their eyes TO
the possibility, and be taken una
wares.
Government engineersehave reported
that the Delaware ship Canal can be
, built for SS.OOO,O00. The Navy Depart
: ment informs me that il costs SS,452, 900
to build and equip one battleship. The
, absence of this canal forces the gov
{ ernment to provide double the number
Of defensive vessels TO give proper pro-
lection 10 Washington and the other
great cities. navy-yards. dry-docks
ship-yards. powder factories, coal sup
lply and other interests upon the shores
Of this great inland sea.
"In the event of a blockade OF both
the Delaware and Virginia capes the
two blockading fleets could be quickly
united and thrown against one wing
, of our divided fleet, in either the Del.
aware or Chesapeake With this cana
built the situation would be reversed
and our entire fleet on both waterways
could be quiclSly concentrated througl
the canal against either one of thl
blockading squadrons.
"rhis Is an option that should be pos.
sessed by the United States rather
than by It's possible enemy.
, 1--WE believe the Immediate conver.
. sion OF the present canal into a deer
ship canal by the national government
would be an act of the highest econ
only. greatly reducing naval and coas
defense expenditures. which mus
otherwise be- made.
Reasons Fer Building.
"If there Is one reason why this cana
should not be built, we have failed {,
: discover 1t. and it has not vet beer