The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1909-09-15
ENCOURAGEMENT
FOR LOWER RIVER
In VANCE'S WORDS
President Of Ohio Valley I'm
provement Association is
Hopeful.
Dams Below Paducah Aid to
Tributaries.
CUMBERLAND AND TENNESSEE,

Before small but enthusiastic
representation of business men, Col.
John l.. Vance, of Columbus, o..
president of the Ohio Valley I'm
provement association, made a short
talk on the benefits the cities on the
lower part of the river are to re-
ceive with a little push and energy.
In order to encourage the associa-
ton and assist in securing locks and
dams between Paducah and Cairo,
the motion was passed to subscribe
for $500, the same as last year, to
assist the association. The city
council will be asked to contribute
$3.50, while the remainder will be
raised by canvass of the mer-
chants.
All permanent work on the Ohio
river has been done above Louisville.
but at present government engineers
are at work between Paducah and
Cairo locating sites for permanent
locks and dams. At the next ses-
sion of congress much work is con-
templated, but Colonel Vance quoted
committeeman as saying that on ac-
count of the heavy commerce on
the Ohio river 1t is the only stream
that justified the heavy expense. AS
he expressed it, the association is on
the eve of success, and by being able
to get in work at the next session
of congress there is little doubt tina.
the lower Ohio river will be i'm.
proved.
The meeting was presided over by
Vice-President Sol Dreyfuss. He in
PRODUCED Colonel Vance, who said ne
would only talk, and not deliver an
address. He expressed pleasure and
satisfaction at the work already ac-
complished, and said after fourteen
years of work he could see the dreans
realized at last. Above Pittsburgh.
he said, it required six blocks and
dams to cover 20 miles, owing to the
rapid fall of the river. BY this work
he said it was possible to return
empty coal barges 81 days longer
each year than without the improve
ment. At Cincinnati, he said, one
dam would cover 81 miles while. at
Louisville, one dam sufficed for thir-
ty miles. Two dams below Paducan
he said, would not only regain the
lower Ohio below the mouth of the
Kentucky river, but also revive the
commerce of the Tennessee river,
and much of the Cumberland river.
He closed with an appeal for the
merchants to write the United States
senators. and urge them to work
for the improvement. He said to
secure the aid of the six senators of
Kentucky. Illinois, and Indiana,
would mean much for the accomp-
lishment of the work on the lower
Ohio river.
Welcome at Cairo.
Secretary Saunders A. Fowler
stated he was with Colonel Vance IN
Cairo, and that hearty welcoms
was extended. and Cairo will con-
tribute literally for the work. An
invitation was extended all merch-
ants to attend the annual meeting
of the association in Cincinnati.
October IA and Is. An especial in
vitation is urged for the men to take
their wives and members of their
families, as the women of Cincin-
natl have formed a club for the pur-
pose of entertaining the visiting wo-
men, and Colonel Vance guaranteed
a pleasant visit. Cairo has promised
to send a large delegation, and II q
proper delegation from Paducah IS
secured, a special car from Paducah
to Cincinnati will be chartered.
Mr.. Fowler said the work will be
of the greatest importance to Padu-
cab. and. as the government engi-
neers have reported that the work
is advisable, he thought there is lie
tie doubt that 1t will be ordered at
the next session of congress, but OPP
position must be overcome.
He said Cairo and many towns
along the river have secured reduc-
ton in freight rates already, aud
he thought Paducah would receive a
30 per cent. freight rate reduction il
the work were started.
Colonel Vance left at noon for
Evansville, where he will deliver an
address tonight, and urge the Indi-
ana citizens to use every power to
convince the representatives of the
Importance of the work.