The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1907-08-23
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.

WASHINGTON. Aug. 2l.-Never
before in the history Of the United
States has there been such activity,
both BY the federal government and
the Individual states, in the develop
ment of waterways. The country is
entering on an era-Of canals never
equalled in the western hemisphere.
The activity results from two causes,
the effects of which have been felt
equally in California and Massachu-
sets as in Minnesota and Texas.
The first cause was found in the
gross favoriteism shown powerful ship
pers by the railroads Rebates and
special consideration in the matter of
furnishing cars enabled the big corpor-
alton to flourish at the expense of the
small shipper. The people finally
arose, and the result has been a deluge
of federal and state laws which con-
fiict and cloud the situation, working
hardships alike to the railroads and
their patrons.
The second cause eliminated in the
freight congestion Of last winter ard
spring. Whole communities in the
Northwest perishing because the rail
roads could not furnish cars in which
TO haul coal to them, and farmers with
their granaries bursting with wheat
unable to purchase even theinecessities
of life because Of the lack Of ears in
which 10 get their grain to market,
aroused the country to the tact that
the railroads had rot kept pace with
industry. Commerce had outstripped
them and continued prosperity was
jeopardized
Then it was that the people awoke
to the campaign being waged by the
National Rivers and HaTbors Con-
rgess. This organization had foreseen
these conditions. 1t had been declaring
Tor five years that not only would de-
velop waterways naturally and logi-
cally settle the rate question, but that
the railroads were rapidly reaching the
stage when they would be absolutely
unable to handle the freight Of the
country. The result was that the
nation swung with enthusiastic energy
into the work Of rehabilitating its riv-
ers and oftbuilding canals.
Surveys have just been completed
for the canal from Lake Erie to the
Ohio River. When the waterway is
completed it will be possible for the
Lake vessels to carry ore direct from
Lake Superior to the great furnaces in
the Pittsburg district and to transport
coal from the Western Pennsylvania
mines to upper lake ports.
\ Florida has let the contract for a
canal from Jacksonville to Key West,
distance of 300 miles it is to be fin
iShed in five years and is to cost 81,
coo, 600. New York has approved a
bond issue of 500, Geo. coo for the Erie
Canal; the State Of Washington is con-
sidering the appropriation of S8,000,-
600 for the construction ofla ship chan
mel 81 feet deep to connect the waters
+ Of Puget Sound and Lake Washington,
and Massachusetts, is about. to have a
( ship canal cut across Cane Cod, which,
( when completed, will permit vessels
! plying between Boston and New York
to take the inside route" all the way
! There are scores Of ether projects
either under way or being carefully
4 considered. There is the deep water
way from the Lakes to the Gulf; the
I Hennepin canal in Illinois the canal
Daing constructed in Louisiana which
wiH open the rich lumber district, and
the movement afOot to construct a
greater and more comprehensive canal
at Sault Ste. Marie because of the
enormous increase in lake tonnage.
, be National Rivers and HarDors Con
gress hopes to impress upon the
4 national Congress the necessity for ap-
prOpriating $50. 000.C a year TO cen
tinUe the Ork on government con
( tEacts. Captain ]. T. Ellison Of Cincin