Evening journal., 1906-09-26

largely by the government, one end of
it is now fortified, and on both sides
the amount of dredging must be done
in still water.
BY the estimates already made by
the commission =. would cost less by
the northern route than by the Sassa-
fras route. Should the southern route
be chosen il would put the present
route out of business. The government
must Of course stand the loss Of that.
and this would make the cost OF the
Sassafras route greater than at first
estimated
Mr. Higgins believed that the pres
ent canal was the only logical, feasible
and practicable route for the canal.
When the speaker finished General
Agnus said Il do not think that you
gentlemen realize what shipping there
600 to 90.000,00O tons Of commerce an
nually pass through the Chesapeake
.Capes. These cities and towns are de-
sirous Of having the canal farther down
the river"
Mr.. Higgins replied that the canal
would work both ways. We We're to-
of the chain of canals to the Raritan
canal and TO New York. And that.
there will be eventually as much and
more trade going north from the Ches-
apeake cities as there is south. Any
argument therefore on the part of those
commercial interests would fail OF point
If It is a shorter route and protected
course that Is wished. The Baltimore
argument on such grounds seems to
be based on but a one-sided view
Commerce goes north as well as south.
Congressman Hiram r.. Burton was
the next speaker. He was introduced
as the father Of the canal" The con-
gressman told of the pleasure it af-
forded him to have labored in the in
terests of the project. He declared that
he had no choice as 70 routes. He was
only interested in having the canal dug
and to do what the people wished done
He declared the canal should be built
and only desired to know what the
wishes Of the interests Of the State
were in order to do them.
The Doctor inadvertently mentioned
that the two previous speakers had
been born on the banks Of the Delaware
and Chesapeake Canal and they pre-
ferred that route.
Judge Gray at this, point interrupted
with the statement that on behalf Of
Senator Higgins and himeslf he wish
ed to assure the commission that their
interests were not local but national.
wherever I have gone and into
whatever investigation have delved in
the matter, have always run across
the name Alfred o. Crozier. have
never had the pleasure OF meeting him
before. but 1 am going to call on him
lnow." said General Agnus in introduce
ling Mr.. Crozier, who was the most ac-
tive worker in behalf of the canal for
the wilmington Board of Trade.
lMr crozier's Strong Argument.
Alfred o. crozier. one OF the most ar
oent workers for the canal on the Boaru
of Trade Of this city, sent his remarks
to the commission in type-written torn'
he having expected not TO be able 10 APP
pear at the meeting to-day.
Mr.. Crozier was able to be present
however. and in presenting to the c'm-
mission his views he made use OF INC
statement already forwarded. Mr. Crozl p
offered to the commission the results oil
the work of the Wilmington Board Of
Trade regarding the canal. in the shape
of a report of the international CeEal
Banquet and of the House of Representa-
tives committee on canal report
Petosky. Mich, Sept l6
Delaware and Chesapeake Ship Cana
Commission. Wilmington, Delaware.
Gentlemen: Being unable TO return te
my home in Wilmington. Delaware. N
time to personally attend the coming
meeting Of your board as requested, and
as / greatly desired, take the liberty OF
addressing you in writing.
When invited to become chairman of q
public committee in 1904 to advance th'
project for ship canal to connect Dela.
ware river and Chesapeake Bay, it wa'
reported that during the thirty years th'
matter had been pending before Congress
the Pennsylvania railroad had success
fully opposed the enterprise.
To ascertain whether such potent oppo
sition was TO confront our efforts, wrot'
to President A. ]. Cassatt Of that road
! He at once replied. requesting the per
sonal interview which was held. 1t wal
urged upon him at some length that thi
T people OF the FIVE states upon thos
waters desired and greatly needed the i'm
, proved waterway that il was necessar.
to strengthen the national defense. ant
that it would so industrialize the .ocal.t.
; that the extra traffic would benefit N.
railroad much more than the competition
= would do ii harm. With this view d
agreed and requested that / announce 4
the Interstate Ship Canal Banquet Il
Wilmington. on January 8, 1904. that IN
> Pennsylvania Railroad would not oppos
but would favor the ship canal protlct q
every way.
r made the announcement, sent clip
ping of same to him, and received the FOL
lowing reply:
! Philadelphia, Pa. FEB. 2s 1904.