Evening journal., 1908-11-18
HIGGINS LAUDS
WATERWAY PLAN
Points Out the Value Of c. &
D. Canal as Connect
ine Link
DR.. BURTON
SPEAKS FOR PROJECT


BALTIMORE, Nov. 1s-Former United
States Senator Higgins OF Delaware,
spoke on the subject. "The Greater Canal
from the Delaware Viewpoint" before the
Atlantic Deeper Waterways Association
here to-day. Mr. Higgins said in part;
mot merely does the Chesapeake aud
Delaware Canal unite the two largest
bodies OF water, and OF water borne COM
morco, tho Chesapeake and Delaware
bays but Il is the short but connecting
link between the North and the South.
And when ! say this. I do not lose sight
OF what is meant IN the construction OF a
deep canal between tho Delaware and
tho Rarltan rivers. Tho coal and iron Of
/ Pennsylvania will then have a shorter
/ and better route than by sea TO Eastern
New Jersey. New York and New England.
BY that public work tine cost price OF fuel
and building construction win be cheap
encd for the most densely populated sec
/ tion Of tho Union At the same timo the
/ resources Of Pennsylvania and the coun-
try west of 10 VIII more choaply reach
a great market and the manufactures OF
I New England and New York find read
/ icr outlet to the States ON the Delaware.
Boston and the other New England cities
and New York viii moro readily and
cheaply reach Philadelphia, Camden and
/ Wilmington.
when. however. time in its fulness
shall have done its perfect work. 1 should
say the resources OF tho regions appur-
tenant to the Chesapeake Bay and those
Of the states further south would exceed
those OF Eastern Pennsylvania great as
these are
Time For Action.
Major Flagler, than whom no one has
made a more careful study Of the prob
loms, both economic and engineering OF
tho waterway from the Delaware to Beau
fort. said to me that when this deep
canal from North Carolina to Norfolk
should be opened. the volume OF traffic
set free hy IT, would comB,l the Instant
deepening Of the Chesapeake and Dela-
ware Canal. SO urgent would be the re-
quirement OF that traffic for a way fur
ther north.
For in this demand both sections would
join. What the North viii chiefly profit by
this deeper waterway IS cheaper fuel and
raw materials, what the South. at the
outset will chiefly profit by will be
a market for their products. which con-
stitute the fuel and raw material OF the
North.
''The merits OF the various projects in
cluded In the Atlantic Deeper Inland
4 Waterway have now. In the conference of
/ last year and In the PRESENT conferences.
/ been set forth by their special representa-
/ tlves both comprehensively and in detail
as fully as their circumstances permit.
The manner IN which the general govern
ment VIII deal with them, II seems to me,
will probably have to be left to the dis
creuon OF the Secretary OF War. acting
through the accommodation OF the Bu-
reau OF Engineers But h IS for Congress
and the President controlling the legis-
latlon of the country, to determine the
policy OF the government in this behalf.
and / have welcomed the opportunity,
which this occasion furnishes to say
that there should be no more delay; that
the time has come when Congress and the
/ President should adopt a policy. and that
they should do so In the coming session
/ of Congress.
Hopes For Early Appropriation.
"rhe kernel OF that policy as formu-
/ lated az our conference a year ago and
IN the resolution OF the Congress Of Riv-
ers and Harbors at Washington in De-
ccmber last, Is that an adequate appro-
priation. for the Improvement Of water
ways and the conservation OF national re-
sources should be made by Congress. but
that such appropriation should be con-
sldered and treated as National invest
mont and not as an annual expense. and
that its payment should be provided for
by an issue OF bonds.
''It does seem that the last word has
been said. and the time for action has
come Each OF the great political parties
has demanded IL IN their platform. What
we arc asking for the Atlantic and Gulf
seaboard, the Congress OF Rivers and
Harbors Is asking for the Mississippi
Valley. including the canals from tho
Lakes. and the Pacific Coast. The demand
So simply universal. while not a voice in
opposition is raised Until recently the
policy Of the railroads was 10 suppress
the canals. It IS 20 no longer"
Yesterday's Endorsement.
Yesterdays session Of the convention
was repleto with interesting features
j. Hampton Moore. presiden, Of the as
ISOLATION. in presenting his nrst annual
report made O. vigorous speech. He sug-
gesied that a practical beginning be made
by concentrating upon one link in the
chain AZ this time, while not losing sight
Of the whole system. This so met the ap-
proval OF the delegates that It was some
minutes before he could proceed. The in
dications are that his advice win be fol-
lowed
/ Urges One Plan az Time.
Congressman Hiram r. Burton IN a
, forceful address advocated "tho ticking up
of one plan al time and letting each
route stand alone and on ita own merits. "
Water transportation" he said. els the
I greatest question confronting this Gov.
ernment to-day. But I can't admit that
r the movement started in Baltimore or
S Philadelphia. or even Trenton / got my
e first impression In Wilmington
(. II hope 10 see the time when the de-
( velopment Of waterways will not be con.
y sidered by the Government as an ox
pense, but win be paid for by Govern.
ment bond issues. just like the Panama
Canal bonds. each separate enterprise be-
ing treated alone and on its own merits
II We could have postal savings banl
system. there's enough money IN farm
ers' stockings around the country now 1,
make impossible such condition as fol
s lowed the panic Of last Fail. and the in
/ Ian. "a