Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-14
WATER ROUTE NORTH
WOULD GREATLY FACILITATE
FREIGHT FROM BALTIMORE.

With the growth of the Greater ashing-
ton idea there are constantly coming to the
front new proposals for the betterment of
the city One of these is for the construc-
ton of a canal from the Potomac that
would bring Washington's water front
within sixty miles of Baltimore by way of
Annapolis and the South river. The project
was discussed with The Star by Mr.. Henry
C. Montague of this city. In speaking of
the general boom proposition. he said:
LAS an ardent enthusiast of Washington
in general and Greater Washington in par
t:cular, l have taken an especial interest in
the welfare of The Star Trade Special. The
scheme is a generous one and is being ad-
mirably carried out, as becomes the cner-
getic and up-to-date paper which is its pro-
mOter.
Enough it is highly gratifying that SO
strong a foOthold is being taken in our
southern neighDorhood, and rightly so.
there seems to be a sore need for our sup
ply houses to fill a pressing home want by
thoroughly fitting themselves to supply
without veXins delays OF telegraph and eX-
press the demands and requirements of the
contractors and retailers in our own city
who would be glad to buy at home If they
could but find a complete line of goods in
the Washington houses. The fact seems to
be- however. that many times the whole
salers are unable to fill orders which call
for something little out of the ordinary
line of goods, though it may be standard
and wait what Seem sometimes intermin2
bic periods for what is wanted; meantime
having ample opportunity to reflect on the
poss Utilities. but not the realiza ton, of
Greater Washington and often. probably,
intensify.ng our unfaVorable views of the
existing situation.
Doubtless many who are thus situated
would be grateful to Tie Star for its valu-
able assistance in such home missionary
work as it may feel interested ~ giving in
regard to this feature and Opportunity of
our Greater Wash ngton.
in order to become great d Stributing
center there is another step that is needed
| and GEMS to be in line with the present
movement. and that is a cheap and ready
| avenue of shipment to this point, IS cen
ter of the goods that are manufacturer
| elsewhere. chiefly in the eastern cities.
a glance at the map of Maryland will
show that the comparatively snort distance
| of twenty-five miles only separates wash
| ngtons waterfront from the South river,
| tributary of Chesapeake bay, short
| distance below Annapolis and almost due
east of this city.
| The construction of a canal across this
! neck would require several years and a
great amount of money, but Washington
| should not stand back from such a project
| on those grounds at this time; for at some
| time it Will without doubt be accomplished,
| and why not begin with at leas. the prelim-
| mary steps at the present moment?
| With such canal Baltimore would be
| brought to within sixty miles by water,
| shortening the present water uISldil'e W
| mere than thrice that amount, and with the
| government actually at work in arranging
| for a ship canal from the upper Chesa-
| peake to the Delaware making route by
| water to Philadelphia of about 10 miles
| and an inland waterway to New York city
| of considerably less than 800 miles, a
| twenty-fcur hour trip for good line Of
| steamers.
| Does not such a project fall in line with
| this Greater Washington movement; afford
| ing as it would. a cheap and ready means
| of supplying the distributing center that
| the present movement is bound to make us,
| and go a long way to carrying the popula-
| ton figure above the half million mark?"
| HENRY C. MONTAGUE,