Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-10-02
MODERN CANALS.
Waterways in Europe and Some Plan
ned In America.


ned In America.
From the Cleveland Leader.
Since the war with Germany, in 1901,
the canal system of France has been i'm
proved and enlarged at the cost of about
$500, 000, OO0. That country has over 1000
miles of canals and nearly 4, 700 miles Of
rivers SO improved for purposes of navi-
cation that they are in large measure arti-
fetal waterways. The great network OF
French canals is all government property,
and tolls are not charged. 49,
In Germany the cost Of improvements in
internal waterways, mainly rivers, In the
decade from 1890 to 1892 both years in
elusive, was nearly $75,0O0,OO In recent
years the development of German canals
and rivers has gone forward at a great
pace, and many important projects remain
to be carried out. The Rhine and the
Weser are to be connected by canal. Ber-
lin is to be made much more truly sea-
port than it is now, the upper Danube is to
be joined with the Rhine, and other vast
improvements are to be undertaken.
Less advanced countries have made no.
table progress in this development of in
ternal waterways Hungary has
approved project for the connection of
the Danube with the Oder and ultimately
through the Oder to the Elbe and eastward
, to the Vistula, at the expense of SOC, 900 900.
Russia is seriously considering the opening
of ship canal between the Black sea and
the Baltic The Don and other rivers
would be utilized for large part of the
distance, and the undertaking would in
volve comparatively few engineering prob
lens. It Is a large enterprise demanding
much money, and 1t may be delayed be-
cause of Russias financial burdens, but
there is no doubt of it's feasibility, and it
will yet become fact.
All through Europe the canal and the
canalized river are more valued than such
waterways were few years ago. The
railroad Is no longer looked upon as the
destroyer of inland waterways. It Is per-
ceived that both the railways and the
canals and rivers will be needed to meet
the needs of trade and industry.
These old world conditions show that the
canals and other Internal waterways Of the
United States will surely enter upon A
stage of development which will far ex-
coed their earlier usefulness. The realiza-
ton of great canal projects which have
seemed extravagant to many Americans is
only a question of time
There Will yet be ship canal between
Lake Erie and the Ohio river Another
will connectLake Michigan with the canal
lied tributaries of the Mississippi There
will be deep water channel ali the way
from the lakes to the Mississippi and the
gulf probably two such highways of COM
merce. It is likely that a channel for
large ships VIII be cut from Delaware bay
to Chesapeake bay, another from Georgian
bay to the st. Lawrence by way of the
ottawa river, or else from Georgian bay to
Lake Ontaria. 1t is quite possible that the
Hudson river will be connected with the
st. Lawrence by river improvements and
canals available for large vessels. There
Is no limit to the great undertakings Of
this kind which may yet be carried to en-
tire success In the United States and Can
ada.
The twentieth century may prove the
greatest century for canals which the
world has ever known