Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1906-12-18
FROM DES MONIES
TO MEXICAN GULF
AGITATION in CAPITAL CITY FOR
A oANAL,lTo THE MISSISSIPPI i
| nv az RIVER
"Boosters' Catch the Fever Or Water
Transpoytatlon-surveys of Years
Ago Are Dug Out and busted for
Future Use.

Des MONIES, Dec. ia canal from
Des Moines to the Mississippi river,
the developing of a waterway from Des
Moines to the gulf, to the great lakes
and up the Ohio river, the making Of
Des Moines great grain shipping cen
ter and basing point for all freight
rates, is encompassed In the plans sug-
gested by A. G. Miller, cashier of the
Home Savings bank. He has studied
the question of water transportation
and believes that such plan Is not
only feasible, but can attract the at
tention of the Iowa delegation at
Washington.
A survey for canal from Des
Moines to Keokuk, which was made
many years ago, Is now being dug up,
the question of levels discussed and
the probable cost being inquired into.
1t is suggested by Mr.. Miller that as
soon as the building of canal can be
shown to be to the advantage of the
commercial interests Of the city, some
step will be taken to bring about &C
ton which will insure it's construction.
Mr.. Miller, who is one Of the inhuen-
tial members Of the Greater Des
Moines committee, the East Des
Moines Commercial league and other
such organizations, has been for
months corresponding with those who
have made study of water transpor.
tation and has at last come to the con
clusion that such a waterway will
mean more to Des Moines than any
one single thing which can be pro
posed.
The St. Louis Canal.
1 sr,, nr,i n
the construction of canal from st
Louis to the gulf, giving the shipping
1 trade q clear cut route to the gulf
whereby both Europe and the Asiatit
countries will be reached in direct line
of commerce. The opening of the Pan
ANA canal at about the same time will
make The great Mississippi valley the
center OF the shipping world instea.
of merely point half way between the
coast cities. The great fresh wate'
canal which the government is alnos
/ certain to construct will enliven ever.
city along the Mississippi river aiit
every city which has direct water con
nection with the canal.
i To place Des Moines on the direc
line of this new path Of commerce il
the plan suggested by Mr.. Miller. IL
!, believes that If this is done, De
Moines will become the head of tn,
great shipping industry Of the north
west, will become basing point fo
) freight schedules and will become en-
of the greatest cities Of the en.ir
west.
Mr.. Miller Explains Views.
"a waterway to the Mississippi
connecting with the big canal at 81
Louis will mean more for Des Nome
: than any one single thing" said MI
Miller yesterday when explaining wha
: the canal would do. 1.-THE cost d
not know, but am told by Isaac Brand1
who remembers more than anyon
here. perhaps, about conditions whe
waterways were the means of transpol
tation, that survey was made in tn
early days 1t was found that tw
levels were needed to carry the ship
from Des Moines to Keokuk, and tina
the cost of construction with SO FEY
locks would be comparatively low
The cheapness of transportation b
water would result in lower freigf
rates by rail and Des MONIES woul
become one of the few favored cite
in the country.