Evening journal., 1905-01-30
RESOLUTION ON
THE SHIP CANAL
Masters and Pilots Associa-
ton Interested in Proposed
Project
ASKED CONGRESS FOR ACTION


The interest that the American Associa-
ton OF Masters and Pilots took In the pro-
posed Delaware ship canal project at It's
annual convention IN Washington last
week Is expected To have n good result.
Captain Philip Reybold and Alfred o.
Crozier, who attended tho convention
from this city did good work In bringing
the matter 90 the attention of the mem-
bers and explaining the great necessity
for such n water way.
The following resolution ON the matter
was introduced in Congress and spread
upon the minutes.
The American Association OF Masters
and Pilots Of steam vessels. assembled in
annual session. at Washington, ID. c., this
25rd day OF January, 1905. hereby memorial
ICES in Congress OF the United States for
the prompt passage of tho pending resolu-
tion appropriating $4,000, and authorizing
the President 70 appoint a commission to
on either or all the boats ON both bays
and Delaware Canal, and. when this Is
completed, for an adequate appropriation
to enable the early construction OF the
Delaware Ship Canal as an ppen, free.
deep waterway 20 connect Delaware and
Chesapeake Bays, for the following rea-
sons:
l. IL is a national necessity for purposes
of National defense. II will cost only the
price of one battleship and win save
building as many defensive vessels as
this inner protected line of communion
tion will enable the quick concentration
on either Of all the boats ON both bays
for the defense OF Washington and the
other important interests ON these
waters
2. IL viii furnish saltwater route be-
hind the line of coast forthcations for the
safe movement Of torpedo boats and small
craft and TO reach tho several dry-docks
and navy yards. and win Increase the
value and reduce the cost of these central
waters for naval rendezvous purposes.
g. The Delaware and Chesapeake with
"A shore line of 250O miles. over 500 tribu-
tary streams. 10000 registered boats and a
total commerce greater than the entire
foreign commerce OF the United States.
lare separated by fourteen miles of land,
forcing "a boat 10 go 400 miles 90 get from
one side to the other and by dangerous
ecean route impossible 20 a majority OF
tho vessels employed. A ship canal would
immensely stimulate production and com.
merce by permitting this vast fleet TO con.
meet the great sources of supply in tn,
South with the large markets at a.,
North anording ample and chcnp trans
, portation, encouraging the establishment
. of Industries IN beth rections. and reduc
, ing ,he cost OF iiving.
, a. 1t will benelt the producers OF th'
West by imuc1vns tho means of export
reducing the distance from Baltimore
dhe basing porn, 10 Europe end in fac
TO New EngianG. i5j miles, avoiding tn
dunf ers OF ths Virginia capes.
s. This sa- ccaFt-wise route will re
I dlce the da7s,s to human lifc and o
q property loss by Fhipwrecks, ana enta
: less expense FOR insurance
I C. The Delaware ship canal VIII COS
1 nut 100000. and Ain have an anpu.
d commerce estimated al over $1,000 900 ton.
a comparison with me Panama Canal, {
b. built at cost OF 10000 600 TO &c 'fu
inodate about & O0l.0O tons.
T. The present canal, on the route Of IN
proposed ship canal. built eighty year
ego, in the capital stock of which ia
, SOD 700 is inadequate md practically us
, less TO serve the resent demands Of CON
! mcrcc. II has but ten feet of water an
I its locks are but q feet wide OF an th
steam and sailing vessels built on th
I Atlantic coast last year only five are mar
e row enough TO go through said locks, an
= the tendency is towards wider, longer an
deeper draft vessels. The rate of toll
> charged are practically prohibltory %
l. many classes Of freight.
Il g. The highest instincts OF national saf,
Y ty and the welfare of our vast coast-wis
Z Atlantic commerce demand the acquisitio
= and enlargement Of this great waterwa
by the Federal government, at the ear
lest practicable time, and we therefor
earnestly urge that necessary action {
that end be taken without further M
: necessary delay.
(Signed) John c. Silva,
Attest: Grand Captai
l. BENZ. f. Perkins, Grand Secretary.