Evening journal., 1907-11-20
ISSUE BONDS TO
BUILD THE CANAL
Plan Of Action for the Gov
eFnment Advocated by
Ex-senator Higgins
SPEECH AT INLAND
WATERWAYS CONFERENCE

ed for It treated OF "The Chesapeake
and Delaware Canal, Its History and
Commerce"
Mr.. Higgins had delved deeply into
the historical phase Of his subject, and
he related many interesting details.
Construction Of the canal was begun
in 1894, and the water was turned on
July 4, 1929. As early as 1860 the
construction Of a canal to connect the
two bays was contemplated In 1863
citizens OF Philadelphia induced the
American Philosophical Society to
order survey but the Revolutionary
War interfered, and it was finally
chartered by the State Of Maryland
in 1893. The War Of 1912 led the Leg
islature of Maryland to pass sup
Elementary act emphasizing the im-
portance of such canal.
When the project was revived in 1892,
our bitter experiences upon the Ches-
apeake IN the war Of 1912. and the
ravages OF our shores led Congress TO
contribute S450,000 to the construction
of a canal, as a means OF national de-
fence; 100000 being contributed by
Pennsylvania; $50 600 by Maryland, and
$4,000 by Delaware.
Continuing Mr.. Higgins said.
East Didn't Get Share.
Leaving out Of account the Pacific
coast. the country has three great
waterways systems: The Lakes, The
Mississippi and its tributaries, and the
Inland Waterways of the Atlantic Sea-
board. Each would be unsurpassed
except for comparison with the other.
National attention has been focused on
the Lakes and the Mississippi system
by the recent voyage Of the President.
1t would be difficult to say wherein
either or both are more extensive or
important than the Atlantic Seaboard.
! find that there has been spent on the
Lake saistem at sault Ste. Marie and
upon the st. Clair and Detroit River,
S20,35O,000, While there have been ap-
propriated for new locks at Saulte Ste.
Marie, and authorized for the second
channel IN the Detroit River, ESQ.,
$50; making a total spent. appropri-
ated and authorized for the Lake sys-
tenn, Of S33.22O.950.
There has been spent on the Mis-
sissippi River in the construction of
Ead's Jetties. the sum of S7,412,5O0, en-
tirely apart from the expense Of main-
tenance. So far as I can learn noth-
ing has been spent for the improve
ment OF the Atlantic coast inland
wnt0-ways unless it be the cost of re-
moving the distractions to He'll Gate
at the mouth Of Lon= Island Sound.
and that may be charged up TO New
York ha~hor quite as much as to the
inland waterways. The amount ex-
pended for this purpose is IS, ,639, ,120
Importance Of Canal.
"a year ago ! would have been prone
TO ask the question, What have we
done on the Atlantic coast that the
nation should not open our waterways
quite as much as it does those of tire
Lakes and the Mississippi and its
tributaries%
For domestic commerce it's import-
ence is Just as great as theirs; its
foreign commerce much more import
ant: while for national defense Il rises
to a magnitude which they do not
even effect Public opinion on the
subject has iecentlv grown with
amazing lapidity. ana we are voicins
simply an universal demand. in which
President Roosevelt .oins. that the
Federal Government shall take up this
great matter. not piece meal, but COM
prehensively.
Il deem Il clear that whatever other
steps Congress at its approaching ses-
sion may OF may not make, It should
make a beginning of actual work by
at once authorizing the purchase Of
or condemnation of the present canal.
and the construction of the ship Canal
between the Chesapeake and Delaware
Bays Two separats commissions.
composed Of officers OF national fame.
have found It to be the right route.
ana affirmed its supreme Importance
for commerce. domestic and foreign
and for national defense. No longer
VIII the cry for Billion Dollar Con-
gress' frighten. or even he raised. The
problem presented is not one Of merely
an annual expense Of the country. as
are the ordinary appropriations. but It
is that Of a special and permanent in
vestment of the government in a great
property for national use.
Property Of Nation.
Should the general government
adopt government ownership and ac-
quire the railways Of the country, II
would not feel the poorer because il
would have to take over their debts
with the properties. What IS it We
arc about 10 do as to waterways? They
already are the property Of the nation.
and we only propose To adequately im-
prove them for the public use. We
would simply be expending our money
on our own properties on our own
waterways as Instruments OF COM
merce. The expense would be that Of
the people and the advantages aud
profit would be that Of the same people
whose money improved them. Let us
therefore borrow the money, from
time to time. as and when It 8 needed,
upon government bonds Let it be
spent and applied as fest as we have
obtained an intelligent knowledge Of
how 10 apply it usefullv and efficient
~. whatever the annual sum for this
special object may ainount TO- and
whatever in the end the aggregate may
amount TO- The American people are
not afraid OF such a debt. They met
one such for war. and they win gladly
meet this for the blessed object OF
peace
Should be s5 Feet Deep.
THE Chesa aneake and Delaware
Canal should he % fee; deep What
ever depth may be adopted for the
other canals In the entire line OF tile
proposed inianl waterway. this canal
should be made deep enough 10 float any
projected battleship. u Is NOT merely
that this would furnish the most ade-
Quate security Tor Richmond. Norfolk,