The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-09-09
BARRETT COLLECTING
DATA ON WATER WAY
Sees Aid to Trade-Urges
Channel From Lakes
to Gulf.
SAYS CANAL OFFERS CHANCE
VIII Present Facts and Figures
in Report to Next Session
Of Congress.

Chicago. Sept. 9.-John Barrett. d.
rector general OF the international Ru-
reau of American Republics, is in Chi
cago gathering data and statistics To
show the need of deep waterway be-
tween the Gulf OF Mexico and the
great lakes and the effect OF such a
channel upon the commercial develop
merit Of The middle west He will pre-
sent the facts and figures that he
CLEANS in the form OF report to the
next congress.
He hos been in conference with some
of the men interested in the deep water
way convention which will be held in
Memphis the first week in October
President Roosevelt will address this
gathering, and is expected TO discuss
Mr.. Barrett's idea that 1t will be USE
less to dig the Panama canal without
also preparing the Mississippi valley
to take direct commercial advantage
of 1t.
Vast Trade at Stake.
In making this point Mr.. Barrett
when seen at his room at the Audi
forum Annex, said yesterday:
There is no more practical and pres
ent day question before Chicago and
the central west. affecting their ma
terial development. than than of deep
ening the water way connections with
the Gulf of Mexico. Trade which can
be valued at hundreds Of millions OF
dollars in South and Central America
is at stake. II Illinois and other cen
trail western manufacturing and agri-
cultural districts are to have their
share Of the growing commerce with
our sister republics they must leave no
stone unturned to influence congress
to devote money necessary to deepen
the drainage canal and the Mississippi
river.
The International Bureau of Ameri-
can Republics is considering this mat
ter very carefully, because one OF its
principal objects is to do everything
possible to develop trade between the
United States and the other American
republics. Already the bureau has
succeeded-in the first six months OF
1907-in adding nearly $4,000, 600 to
the value of commerce of the United
States with South America.
Wants Feeders Developed.
1T is foolish for the United States
government to spend $500, 900. o00 as II
way is done, on such a gigantic pro
ject unless at the same time It spends
a corresponding amount to develop It
feeders, ike the Mississippi river.
THE countries of Europe and of ASH
are already planning how they cal
make the canal help them. They ar,
doing even more than the United States
which has the most at stake. It there
fore behooves congress to conside
carefully ways and means by which al
sections of the United States will b
prepared to get their share of the i'm
mense trade in the South and Contra
American countries bordering on tn
Pacific ocean.
TT is difficult for the busy man II
the United States to realize the won
derful material progress that sucl
countries as Colombia, Ecuador, Peru
Bolivia and Chile are now making
Their foreign trade is growing as rap
idly, in proportion to population, a
that of the United States. Vast sum
of money are being invested to exploit
!. their resources. When the Panam
canal is completed their commerce wit
the outer world will be worth at leas
$500, OOo. 0o0."
Mr.. Barrett will remain IN Chicag
until Thursday. st. Paul. st. Louis an
Detroit are other cities that will b
included in his itinerary Of investiga
ton.