Evening journal., 1906-07-31
PLEADS
FOR new CANAL
CONTINUED from First Pagel

land whom General Agnus had invited to
meet his colleagues.
Burton Talks Of Its Advantage.
Discussing the canal at the luncheon
Congressman Burton said:
Il am sure the President has made no
mistake in appointing the canal commits
sion. ! am confident that our interest in
the canal is identical with yours The
same is true OF the interests of Philadel-
phia and Wilmington. The Board of Trade
OF Wilmington a year or more ago was
active in inaugurating the movement for
the canal When 1 was elected 70 Congress
I felt 1t incumbent upon me to work FOR
the project. Indeed. the canal was one Of
the important issues In the campaign.
when 1 entered Congress / consulted
Mr. Mudd about the canal. suggested
that he reintroduce his resolution. ] got
behind him. Fortunately, the resolution
was referred to the Committee on Raj
roads and Canals, Of which was men-
ber l was in position, therefore, to aid u.
Il think the President has been wise IN
his selection Of a commission to consider
this canal question. ! know what Gen
erai Agnus is capable Of accomplishing
by his energy, his pen and his eloquenee.
/ am glad the editors are interested in
this canal / think the whole country
ought to be and will be interested. 1t will
be worth several battleships. The cost
Of two battleships viii complete the
canal"
AIr Burton read extracts from letter
.
Anthony Higgins in approval Of the un-
dertaklng Mr.. Higgins said:
In obtaining this legislation you
have imperishably associated your
name with the most important public
work in Delaware with which the ma
tional government has any special
concern. The conclusion has been
forced upon me that no single public
work, at least in the eastern part OF
the country. will be Of such import
anee to the commercial interests of
the country, and at the same time add
so much to the elements Of national
defense as this one. To us in Dela-
ware il win be Of especial interest and
Importance. but only as we share it
with the rest of the country. Especial
interest is attached to 1t insomuch as
It constitutes a peculiar link in bind
ing and extending the commercial in
terests between the North and the
South. This view Of it ought never to
be forgotten by members of Congress
from both sections and l think that
in this idea rest the insurance and
potentlality of its being finally enact
ed into law and the canal being pur-
chased. deepened and operated by the
government.
After reading the letter, Mr.. Burton
continued:
1 sincerely hope that the canal will
be built. 1t viii be a great seal, bind
ing all sections Of the country. 1t will
be a connecting link between the North
and South. I have heard of no op-
position to this great project, except
from one source. A country editor in
Delaware opposed It, believing that I
should have bent my efforts to another
object which it was impossible for me
to accomplish.
l believe that the government should
spend large sums in constructing
canals and in improving Gods water
ways. II is by this expenditure that
we can do more than we can by law
10 regulate railroad rates. Europe is
spending millions for canals. We are
rich and can afford the expenditure
1 wish you a grand success in your
undertaking.