The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-03-07
BANNER WRITES OF
 DEEP WATER PLAN
Opposes Project of AIIon, Par-
 sons and Others
MOBILES DUTY TO ITSELF
Jos. F. Parsons Replies to MoblIan's Letter to F. Nj. Jaekson-Bir- mlngham's Alleged Interest
 in the Matter.

A. c. Danner of Mobile has written to F. M. Jackson, president of the Conner cial club of this city, letter in which MT. Danner states the reasons why he and his associates in Mobile oppose the project to deepen the outer bar of the harbor there.
 In the course of his letter, which If printed in full would cover a column, Mir Danner says:
 Mir. Danner's Letter. "Of course l know that when you and your honorable mayor signed this peti- tion you did 1t with the very best inten- tions, taking 1t for granted that this thing was really in the interest of Mobile ana the state of Alabama. Perhaps 1t may be some time, but we, who are looking after our channel here, and have given a great deal of study, thought and work for the past twenty-five years, think we know better how to manage this busi- ness
 Alabama, you know, requires great deal of money for her rivers and harbors, much of which Is simply wasted--thrown away on projects that will never produce any results. while the channel to Mobile has been of immense benefit and of great profit to the whole country.
 Now, of course, after reading this you will wonder why it is that the State Deep Water Bar association, of which MT. AL len seems to be president should be so much more interested in our outer bar than is the city of Mobile.
 Well without going Into details l can simply tell you that there are three diff ferent sets of promoters who are specu- lating on projects in lower Mobile pay, one of these concerns, particularly, con sisting I am told, mainly of Birmingham promoters, have an option on Dauphin Island, and it is thought that if they can get thrty-five feet over the outer bar 1t will assist them in carrying out their scheme of promoting a railroad to Dauphin Island
 No responsible men in Mobile have anything to do with them so far as l know, except to sell the island. CThe is- land belongs to six people here. ) Our committee which represents our eom- munity has nothing whatever to do with this scheme"
 Dispatch to Taylor.
 Here is copy of a dispatch sent by MT. Danner to Congressman Taylor:
 March 1. 1905. Hon George W. Taylor, Washington
 D. C.:
 Your letter of the 17th regarding outer bar Mobile is satisfied with. the $50 900 recommended in bill for outer bar at this time If survey suggested will not inter- fere with bill we would not object but consider channel to the city more im- portant.
 "A. c. DANNER, Chairman" MT. Parsons Replies.
 Joseph F. Parson of this city in com menting on MT. Danner's letter last night, said
 Those who are engaged in this work are firmly convinced that in it's success ful completion Mobile would realize growth and prosperity never approached in the past. Every effort to deepen the long channel to Mobile to 2f feet, or even more would be regarded with the great est favor by the promoters of the Dau- phin Island harbor, who would gladly see Mobile succeed In It's efforts.
 "So far from conflicting in any way with the interests of Mobile. the suc- cess of the Daup.iin Island project would Indeed, be bound up in that of Mobile.
 'It Is proposed to widen the channel 4OO0 feet long across the outer bar into the lower bay to 1000 feet. and
  about 37 feet at high-tide. Ocean Giants Could Enter.
 ''This entrance would admit with ease and safety the greatest of the ocean giants that now ply between New York and Europe and which can never be seen in harbor on our gulf coast Of a lesser depth than Dauphin Island harbor.
 All must admit the energy with which Mobile has prosecuted the work of deep ening the channel but 1t must also be recognized that the demands of com merce require shipping of the largest tonnage to secure the best results.
 Mobiles Dictatlon. "Hitherto the rest of the state has al- lowed Mobile to dictate, upon considera- tions purely local. how and in what manner the appropriations charge to Alabama should be expended. It is not doubted that good results have been ob- tair ed. but the time is now at fGnd when the vast coal and mineral outputs of the interior of the state must have cheap outlet to the sea.
 Mir. Danner is kind ,nougn to say to Mir, Jackson:
 "Of course I know that when you and your honorable Mayor signed this petition you did it with tho very best intentions, taking 1t for granted that this thing was really in the interest Of Mobile and the state of Aiatama-per- haps 1t may be some time--but we who are looking after our channel here, and have given a great deal of study, thought and work for the rast twenty five years. think we know better how to manage this business
 Possibly True. 'Possibly this may be true, but when the state might be shipping two million tons a year through a deep water port on Dauphln island. 1t may be rather difficult find satisfactory reasons why the att tempt should not be made. The effect of such an increased output on the Bir- mingham mineral region would be in- calculable Is there any sound reason why if it cannot be shipped through Mo- bile and its channel. it should not be by way of Dauphin island? Great Port of the World. ''Mobilians should bear in mind that such a port could never rival 1t in size | ar be any other than the mere port of | Mobile. Newport News is the port of l Richmond, Bremerhaven of Bremen. | Cuxhaven of Hamburg, St. Nazaire of Nantes; all lie between those great ports and the sea, and so far from detracting | from their prosperity, have been of the greatest benefit to them. All of those | ports are In fact, large towns whereas l Dauphin island is too small in area for i, even a small town. So far from being regarded with unfriendliness, it should