Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-31
Canal Around Niagara Falls.

1t Is possible that, IN connection with this
canal we may have to dig another around
Niagara Falls on the American side from
Lake Erie to Lake Ontario, in order to
render US Independent of the WeIland canal
on the Canadian side. Possibilities of canal
construction through the state OF New
\ ork are very great, and the problem is to
make the most advantageous connection
between the lakes and the seaboard.
Another canal which we must some time
build Is across the peninsula of Delaware
and the eastern shore of Maryland between
the Chesapeake and Delaware bays This
will put Baltimore nearly 300 miles nearer
Philadelphia by water, and save 200 miles
between Baltimore and European ports It
Will also save the same distance between
that city and all American ports north of
Virginia. By the construction OF such a
canal we shall bring most OF our commerce
on water 200 miles nearer the great west
This Will cheaper the transportation of
freight and greatly aid in transferring the
ships OF our navy from one body of water
to another This canal can be cut through a
level country at small expense, as part of
1t will be through the channel Of a river.
To Make Florida an Island.
Another canal of still greater Importance
which requires construction is across the
northern part of the peninsula of Florida
Such a canal would save 700 miles between
New Orleans and New York, and about the
same distance between our other gulf and
Atlantic cities. Most vessels between these
ports must now go two days out of their
way; and, when time is so important and
the cost of sea transportation so great this
cannot forever be endured Florida is level
and so can be cut without much difficulty
or expense: and there are some streams
which could be utilized for part Of the
route.
These canals, besides facilitating the
movements of our commerce, would develop
parts of the country which are now almost
hopelessly isolated in the interior, and
would make us far more formidable as a
sea power. Were they all constructed the
whole course of trade would have to be re-
arranged. Millions of tons of freight would
go by water which now go by rail. With
the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, the Gulf
of Mexico and the great lakes, and with
long navigable rivers and bays running into
these, which may be connected into one
system. forming network OF waterways
over our vast area. we have enormous pos
sibilities of communication and transporta-
ton which we have hardly begun to deyel-
op; and these great internal improvements
should furnish our next public undertake
ings.
A Great Mexican Project.
Two other canals near our borders, which
would also greatly affect our commerce,
may, with advantage. be built In time. One
Is canal across the peninsula of Lower
California, connecting the. Gulf of Cali
fornia with the Pacific ocean. This would |
save the people of northwestern Mexico /,
/. 200 miles In reaching the coast of Cali |
fornia by water Were that portion of |
Mexico part of the United States, the |
canal would some time be built notwith- !
standing an elevated ridge that would have |
to be pierced at great expense The Next |
cans, however, with their lack OF enter