The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-11-10
LOCK SYSTEM PROPOSED
AS The MOST FEASIBLE
Convention at Columbus, Ca. Enter
tains Mammoth Proposition FOR
Waterway and Will Start It
AS Soon AS Possible.

Columbus. Ca, November 9.-The pro iees
Of cutting the peninsula Of Florida In tw
by an east and west ship canal connectir
the Atlantic ocean and the Gulf of Mex
leo was the leading question today before
the convention of the Gulf Coast Inland
Waterways convention in session here
Senator-elect D. U. Fletcher of F1orid.1
tonight outlined this plan to the conven-
ton in a speech in which he said: I'VE
must initiate waterway improvements ~
foreign countries by waterway impros,
ments a t home, If we maintain supremae
or even standing In market abroad.
THE problem of the cheapest and safest
means of transportation now required BY
the southern. western and northern grow
ers is solved when the United States
ship canal on the lock system, is cou-
structed. The requirements for cheap
transportation. to wit Ability to carry
large quantities of freight in full loads
without change and at rapid speed, will
thus be met. 1t is necessary to secure
and employ the most economical methods
of transportation If the growth of the
country is to continue.
1T is believed that If each farmer
would contribute for two years one cent
for every bushel of corn and wheat he
raises which would find its way through
this canal these contributions would
supply enough money to built the canal
This project is not new. The import
ance of a ship canal across the peninsula
of Florida has long been directed to the
1 affA
canal would shorten about 500 miles
the route from the Atlantic ocean into the
| Gulf of Mexico, especially to the gulf
ports of the United States, aud avoid
the dangerous navigation of the gulf
stream through the straights of Florida.
| BY the construction of this canal the
commerce and travel of this northern con-
hnent would be placed more than 1000
| miles nearer to the Central American
republics.
THE weight of opinion seems to be
that a tide water canal is impracticable
because it would be impossible to control
the water and maintain uniform depths
BY the lock system the canal controls
the water, and the navigation is safe at
all seasons.
Almost straight line across the mar
rowest part of the peninsula could be
selected, passing through number OF
large lakes, and portions of rivers could
be utilized. There are no engineering dif-
ficulties in the way. Nearly the whole
work can be done by floating dredges.
This canal would be a part of the con-
templated inland water circuit of the
whole of the central and eastern part of
the United States, east of the Rocky
mountains.
"One estimator says that the canal can
be dug for $50, 100000.
1T has been estimated also that more
than 30,00o,000 tons would pass through
the canal yearly, which does not Include
the enormous traffic from Mexico, Ncar-
aqua, Costa Rica, nor other countries
which will use the Panama canal. A reas-
enable estimate for these other countries
would be a total of 6000o,000 tons an
nually.
"A complete national system of inter
coastal canals ought to be constructed az
rapidly as possible. transportation
crisis is upon us. The demand for cheap
er and quicker transportation must be
answered"