Evening journal., 1909-11-18

the revetment on the other bank to be
Of riprap-the estimate Of Major Eiagler
Is Sio6S9Ooo.
No trouble from silt IS TO be feared
from the waters OF the Chesapeake fiow-
ing into tho canal, and what may be
deposited at the Eastern end by the
waters Of the Delaware VIII not cause q
heavy charge for removal.
The eBaufort TO Norfolk project being
under way. probably TO be deepened from
ten feet 10 sixteen feet-when completed,
viii let loose at Norfolk and on the
Chesapeake the enormous resources OF
Virginia and tho Carolinas bordering
upon the sounds or their tributaries.
All Of this seeking a Northern market
will be barred from reaching tho Delaware
by way Of the Chesapeake. win not stop
TO oven summarize the volume OF freight
thus seeking an outlet but the condition
presented win be like that Of the funnel
opened and tho mouth closed. And these
new frelghts. these fresh needs Of 80 largo
a section OF the American people. ara b.
an addition 70 the already vast commerce
OF tho Chesapeake and its present tribu-
tarles OF course too the commerce Of
the Delaware IN all its huge extent is
reciprocally affected.
Indeed. the public need Of removing
this obstruction is in no sense confined
to the neishborhood where it is located,
but is felt from end to end Of the whole
Atlantic Coast. II IS the common and
urgent interest OF all that Congress shall
authorize the construction Of this canal
Immediately upon tho receipt OF the report
OF the present board Of englneers-as It IL
likewise tho interest OF all, that the pro-
jeot from Beaufort TO Norfolk shall be
deepened to not less than sixteen feet.
The interests Of thirty millions Of the
American people are directly affected.
and without a discordant voice raised,
their responsible citizenship, through
their representatives hero in this con-
vention, make their demand upon Con-
gress, no longer TO delay In granting
the relief to be afforded by at once be-
ginning the construction OF these ca
nails.
President Roosevelt, in his message,
declared in favor of this action; Pres-
dent Taft did in his speeches. So far,
as heard from, no opposition has been
expressed in Congress, except It may
be from that potential factor. the
Speaker OF tho House Of Representa-
tivcs.
Two weeks ago, President Taft de-
/ clarod himself opposed 70 a fund Of
five hundred million dollars for water
way Improvement by a comprehensive
plan 20 include ali parts OF the coun-
try. He said each project should
stand on its own merits and be aided
/ accordingly. It is immaterial to
this convention which course IS pur-
sued on tho one hand. we distinctly
disclaim standing In the way Of any
| waterway improvements Of the coun-
try TO the west OF MS. on the other
we are perfectly willing for each link
IN our chain OF projects TO be judged
/ by Congress on It's own merits. What
have we 10 fear? Norfolk to Beau
fort IS under construction. The Chesa-
peake and Delaware IS already ap-
proved by the engineers
Whichever of the courses may be
taken, the matter is now up to Con-
| gress. The owners OF farms, Of
forests. Of mines, OF mills and factories.
on the one hand, and OF railroads and
shipping, on the other, all demand re-
lief.