Evening journal., 1909-12-13
U. S. MAY BUY
C. g D. CANAL
Philadelphia Congressman to
Follow Mr.. Head in Intro
duCinG Bill Providing
For Purchase
WATERWAY IS
NOW FAR TOO SMALL

Members of the Philadelphia delega-
ton In Congress arc OF the opinion
that the many interests which have
need OF a deeper and moro adequate
waterway between Philadelphia and
Chesapeake Bay, with its many tribu-
taries and shipping centers, viii not
be compelled to walt very long for
the governmental control of the Della
ware and Chesapeake Canal. The i'm
provement OF this canal by the Gov
ernment has been the subject Of agita-
ton for years, and another bill is now
being prepared authorizing such step.
Congressman William II. Heald in
troduced a similar bill at the last ses-
sion OF Congress, and the outlook is
favorable to the passage Of the act
at the present session OF Congress. Mr..
Heald's bill was referred to the COM
mittee on railroads and canals.
The Delaware and Chesapeake Canal
has been twice favorably reported to
Congress for improvement into a ship
canal Of a sufficient depth to allow
coatwise liners and the heavier barges
free passage. The Agnus Commission
some years ago recommended that it
be purchased by the Government for
$2.5l4,2S9, and the Committee of Con-
gress on Railways and Canals aloo re-
ported favorably on its purchase. With
these recommendations and the COM
mercial necessity to hinge argument
upon, one Of the Philadelphia delega-
tion will present bill authorizing both
thep urchase and the improvement Of
the canal during the present session.
This canal is probably the most i'm
portant link in the inland coastal pro-
ject of the Atlantic Deeper Waterways
Association, and at the two conven-
tions OF that body in Baltimore and
Norfolk, Governmental action upon it
was urged. When the question as to
how a bill OF that nature would be
treated by Congress was discussed at
the Norfolk convention last month it
was practically decided that because
of the retrenchment policy of the ad-
ministration it would fare badly. Since
the opening of Congress. however, con-
dltions have appeared to adjust them
selves to a different basis, and the
Eastern Congressman have decided to
try to secure some OF the rivers and
harbors improvements for the East.
Work has been in progress on the
Beaufort cut between Beaufort Inlet
and Pamlico Sound, North Carolina,
for "a year under a Government con-
tract. and this will give the lumber re-
gions in the Carolinas an outlet ia
Norfolk and the Chesapeake. Con-
gressman John n. Small. of North
Carolina, was intrumental in getting
the appropriation for the cut, and he
and his colleagues in the South At
lantic States have pledged their sup
port to those who are advancing the
Delaware and Chesapeake project
Congressman Small has several time,
given voluntary utterance to the opin.
ion that this canal should be the mex
one TO bo improved.
The Delaware and Chesapeake cana
| is 1S miles in length and was built II
1929. II is in practically the same con
dition that its builders left it 80 year.
ago. As the capacity of a canal il
/ limited by the size Of its locks. no very
! heavy shipping can be done through
it. 1t has three locks, go feet long
"a feet wide and with a depth Of nin'
feet The canal. with its improve
ments. has cost s4000,000, and can b'
/ bought for less than that amount.
In making it's report the Agnus Com
mission estimated the cost Of making
the canal IS feet deep. at $50, 1921, ,
s23.70. and 30 feet at S17,S12, eO4.7 70
The Commission also suggested that
much smaller channel would serve tn
present needs OF commerce and coul,
in time be enlarged to meet the need
of the larger classes Of battleships Th
intention of the bill to be presented a
this session of Congress is to maxi
the canal serviceable for the smalle
naval craft and the heavier barg
trade. The canal would be of especia
value to the Government for this use
a deep ship channel, It is estimated
would be worth two battleships 10
defensive service, connecting. as (
would. the Philadelphia navy var,