The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1908-04-25
VOX POPULI.
INLAND WATERWAY BETWEEN
NEW ORLEANS AND APAlACH

Apalachicola Fla, Apr. p, 1908.
Editor Pensacola Journal.
The liberality with which you treat
the territory in which your paper cir
culateS, and your own broadnesS or
views as shown not only in your news
columns, but also editorially, induces
US to urge you TO discuss the pro-
posed inland waterway from New Or
leans to West Florida, and the COM
ing convention, editorially.
If we may be pardoned for making
the suggestion, point out the benefits
10 the entire territory traversed, and
especially to Pensacola. Urge Mo-
bile to call the convention, and the
mayors and civic bodies of towns
along the route to appoint delegates
and request the newspapers of the
south to give the matter publicity.
The south is TO become the indus
trial center of the United States be-
cause of the nearer location of her
seaboard to the producing states of
the Union, her equable climate, her
agricultural capacity, and proximity
to the Panama canal-which is to
become the greatest burden bearer
of the woodland lastly, because the
water shed of the Unitd States drains
to the Gulf of Mexico. AS the water
ways of the world are the natural
and cheapest carriers of commerce,
and much more than One-half of the
waterways of the United States drain
70 the gulf, it is high time the peo-
pie of the gulf states were awakening
to the Importance of uniform develop
ment Of their waterways. A water
way IS important in the proportion
of its commerce to the extent of the
territory traversed. Because the
Mississippi river is 1000 miles long
is no argument why a river 200 miles
long should not receive equal devel-
opment in proportion to its extent.
Thus, in place of congestlng pOpula-
ton on the main waterways and in
the principal centers, its distribution
will be more uniform and the i'm
provement of the entire country, con
sequently greater.
Possibly no waterway of so i'm
mense possibilities or more import
ance could be conceived than one
uniting at their mouths, all the prin-
cipal rivers emptying into the gulf,
and in addition thereto thereby form
ing the connecting link between the
great system of continuous inland
waterways traverSing the eastern
portion of the United States which,
let us hope, VIII be completed with
locks and canals of uniform width,
depth and capacity.
The inland waterway from New
Orleans to Apalachicola will be con-
Structed, if The press of the gulf
states will stand behind the plan, UNI
til the people realize its Importance
and benefits, who will demand of the
federal government through their
congressional representation, suffic-
lent appropriation to complete the
task
lit also seems important that con-
vention of representatives from all
points interested be held before the
national conference on waterways to
be held with the president in Wash
ington on May 18th, in order that
delegates from our convention be sent
to Washington to present the merits
of our waterway.
We recognize that some one must
make a sacrifice in order to give
necessary publicity to a subject like
this. Again We appeal to your gen
crosby and patriotism in suggesting
that you instruct your correspondents
to interview leading men in all sec
tons of the south, and if possible
delegate a man specially to the SER
vice, who will make a canvas of the
principal coast towns, obtain the SEN
timents of the people, urge the news
papers to give the subject space, and
further interest tn civic bodies, the
results to be published in your paper.
This work must be done in haste if
the convention is held on May eth,
as suggested.
Assuring you of our respect for
your Journal. our desire to assist in
its growth, with that of the gulf
coast, and with best wishes, we re-
main,
Respectfully,
Apalachicola Board OF Trade,