Panama City pilot., 1908-08-27
A Lady'S Proposition.
|. 7. |. A. TO RAISE FUNDS AND BUILD
THE CANAL.
GALLOWAY, FLA, Aug. %, 1908.

Editor PILOT:
1t is with the keenest interest that
| have read in your paper different
suggestions relative to what seems
to me, one of the most important i'm
prOvements that has been mentioned
for st Andrews Bay, that is the cut
ting of the East Bay Canal.
But think, will st Andrew Bay only,
be benefited by this little, big enter
prize? Lets take a look at our map.
No, no, no, st Andrews is a small
factor, when it comes to reaping the
benefits; a little examination shows
that a large extent of West Florida,
Southeast Alabama, and Southwest
Georgia will reap good yield, for it
will bring them all III easy touch with
the best and nearest port or harbor,
on the Gulf, which, as we all know,
would cheaper transportation, be
cause, first, it would offer a compel
ing water line to the rail lines, and
second, but not least, through bill
of lading from any other port in the
world to the territory above de-
scribed
Now think again, would these cities,
namely, Blountstown, Bristol, Wewa
hitchka, River Junction and Mari
anna, Florida, Bair bridge, Albany,
Newton and Columbus, Ga, and Eu-
faula and Columbia, Ala, and all in
termediate towns along these rivers,
only, be benefited by this canal? |
would say no again; the whole coun-
try on either side of the ApalachicOla,
ChipOla, Flint and ChattahoOchee
rivers, for ten miles CT more, would
have an outlet, to, or through, this
new, but forever known port. Which
tle Government is to improve by
deepening the present fourteen feet
outlet to the Gulf to a thirty-siX foot
channel. The preliminary survey
having just been completed.
Some one will say, and no doubt
have said, yes, this is all so, and
some one ought to take hold of it.
believe some one suggested to get up
a petition to the Government for a
charter, but | would say before we
mention anything to the Government,
have a preliminary survey, and settle
the question of the different heights
of the river and creek, and whether
a lock would be needed, and if so
where, also the real cost Of cutting,
and the best and nearest route, which
would determine or give some idea of
the lands most benefited.
From a close examination of maps,
and talks with some who know some
thing of the land through which this
proposed canal is to be cut, | find
that it will only take eight or nine
miles of cutting to connect these two
waterways, East Bay and the Apa-
lachicola river, and every expense
cut down, as follows.
In the first place, the land through
which this canal is to be built, is only
a few feet above tide water, and then
we note that it is sand and easy cut
ting.
Now think, if the above statements
are true, and they verify are, il would
not cost over 50, 800 per mile, making
a total at the greatest of not over
s25 900 for the completion of a canal
of nine feet depth, and wide enough
to accommodate any boat that could
navigate on either of the before
named rivers.
Such small, small, small amount
for thing that is SO important to
such a large territory.
( But now, some one will say, this is
all so, too, but where is your money.
or who will begin? Listen, and I'll
tell you, or rather suggest a way.
Let us women, through our Ladies
City Improvement Clubs of each
town, so vitality interested, take this
matter in hand. Let each town or