The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1908-10-02
THE OHIO VALLEY
IMPROVEMENT ASSO-
CITATION OCTOBER %

At this season of the year with
navigation practically suspended on
the Ohio river the fourteenth annual
convent on OF the Ohio Valley I'M
proyemcnt association. which Will be
held In Louisville, October 22, looms
up as Important. The vital impor-
lance OF canaization of the Ohio river
to nine-foot stage the year around
Is emphasized In his speech at the
dollar dinner OF the Commercial
club Secretary Saunders Fowler gave
interesting figures showing the rela-
tive Importance OF Paducah in river
shipplne Senator Knox has intere-
esting data collected on the i'm
proyement.
In his memorable address before
the Chamber OF CONNIE &C at Pitts
burgh. Senator Knox. OF Pennsyl-l
yania, conciusiyely exhibited the DIFF
ference In progress between cities
with adequate facilities for Transport
tatlon by water and cities whose ia
ci.h,cg FOR water transportation were
Inadequate. The difference was all
the more marked because OF the fact
that the Two classes OF cities were I'M
der ono and the same government.
with the government extending its
generous aid to one class and with
holding Il from the otbor
The cities cited by senator Knox
We're Chicago. Cleveland, Buffalo.
Detroit Milwaukee. To'odo. and Du-
luth-oight cities having combined
population OF 7li.S9S in 1870. aud OF
3,2ll2T3 IN 1909. period OF TWEEN
81 years The other cities were St
Louis. Cincinnati. New orleans. Louis
vile. Kansas City. Evansville and
Wheeling. In 1870 the combined
population OF the eight was SOC $40
In 1900 Il was i.756.932 There Is
no good reason, 50 far as industrial
aud commercial reasons climate, %
cation and other reasonable elements
are considered. why the eight cities
FIRST named should have had less pop
.ulation than the other cities In 1891
aud thre times the population twen-
~ years later-in l900-but there is
a reason nevertheless.
Between 1870 and 1900 the gov
eminent Of the United States I'M
proved the lake channels and deep
ened and improved the harbors OF the
eight lake cities and neglected the
rivers on whose banks the other eight
cities we're located and. az Senator
Knox admirably put IT, THE factI
that the axe channels have been I'M
proved TO a continuous depth oil
twonty-one feet and a large share Of
the harbors deepened proportionately
compared to the Interruptions and the
limitations Of imporfectly improved
river, establishes conclusion which.
once seen. cannot be ignored"
II iIa conclusion that Is irresist-
able. There Is no reason why there
should be Improvement of one chan
mel OF waterway transportation 10 the
neglect Of another Ike channel oil
equal II no; greater Importance. for 1t
Is inevitable that the one great feeder
10 the Panama Canal viii be the OhioI
river. That Is fact which must be
conceded I'm the light of the enorm-
ously rich and valuable resources OF
the Ohio Valley states. The OhioI
Valley Improvement association isl
enlisted In the battle for the life of
the Ohio and the life 81 the trade and
commerce. Industrial agricultural
and mining Industries and on al COM
munities In the Valley 10 send to the
Forthcoming Louisville convention Of
October 22 and 23, representatives
and enthusiastic delegates to aid IN
the completion of the work OF can
aaizing the great stream TO nine
foot stage from Pittsburgh to Cairo.