The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-12-16

the Chief of Engineers has nothing whatever to do with the method of ap- plication of appropriations. and. there fore,it behooves us to cooperate with our Congressman and see that this appropriation shall be made upon what is known as the continuing contract plan.
 The Isthmian Canal
 The progress of the work on the Isthmian Canal will necessarily lend importance to the future of all South ern ports. They will be more largely patronized. not only by the marine trade. but also by the Government. It will have the effect of causing the Government to investigate more close ly the advantages possessed by each. No other Southern port possesses these advantages to a greater degree than does our own port of Mobile. and we hope. by strenuous and untiring work. to induce Congress to make more liber- al appropriations for Improvements at Mobile. such as cutting away the out CT bar deepening the channel and other necessary work When this Is done, and in fact along with such irn- provement it will emphasize the im- portance of river improvement. With our rivers emptying into the Bay of Mobile. affording water transporta- tion from practically the entire State to the port, 1t will aid materially in reducing the cost of placing our pro- ducts on the market, and will have natural tendency to cause an era of development of the many diversified resources in which Alabama so richly abounds. and which have hitherto, on account of prohibitive conditions. been lying dormant.
 On recent visit of certain promin- ent members of the Committee on Rivers and Harbors of the House of Representatives, throughout the South on which occasion they made trips of inspection on certain Alabama water- ways, it was interesting to note the surprise which they could not well conceal, at the marked diversification of the traffic as now developed on our rivers.
 Diversity of Traffic.
 It is a known fact that many ap- propriations have been made by Con- gress for the improvement and main~ torfance of waterways, whose sole tom mage is that of timber and lumber How much more prominently should our rivers be placed before Congress and what an increased measure of im- portance should surround them, when 1t is shown that the lumber industry as now developed on our streams. while very large, and alone deserving of great consideration. that it consti- tutes only about three per cent of the total tonnage, the balance of which is divided into about thirty other com niodities. This is a fact as applying to the Alabama River, and 1t doubtless applies with equal force to other streams in Alabama, as they are sim iiarly situated.
 The question of internal improve ment is one of such vital importance to, the country. that 1t is eminently proper 1t should have the deep concern of each and every loyal citizen of Ala bama.
 The South is now being launched up- on an era of material development never before dreamed of Within our borders lies wealth inestlmabie, and the next few years will mark the South as the commercial mecca of the world. The future holds in store for us too much to permit our natural ad- vantagesr to continue to lie dormant because of our inactivity.
 We hope to see the day when the citizens of Alabama will realize the importance of taking deep interest in this matter. It not only benefits those localities immediately adjacent 10 our navigate streams and the municipali- ties located upon such streams; the benefits are far-reaching. Every DOT, tion of the State will receive benefits more or less marked. With the proper demonstration of interest on our part. it win only be short while before we can insist that Congress make the most liberal appropriations for the im- provement of our rivers and Mobile harbor. and our entire State will reap the benefit and prosperity will be in evidence as never before in the history of Alabama.