The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1910-11-15

IureQ ~, 600, QUO
Forest products. naval stores
lumber and cross ties ........ 80. 100000
Total 800, Oo0, 900
The value of these would be increased
at least five per cent. by the construc-
ton Of the Mississippi to Atlantic Inland
waterway, annually.
AGREE WITH THE PRESIDENT.
The Presidents message to the Senate
on the subject of rivers and harbors bill.
June, 1910. is clear expression OF views
from which we have nothing to fear. We
claim to be in harmony with what the
The larger and more important under
takings which have established merit
should iss be pSshed t. We in
IKE to have the engineers pass upon the
relative Importance Of different projects
after fuil inyestigation. and suggest the
for their completion.
If certain links in the project advocated
by us were completed. 1t would afford a
II the whole should be approved as one
Undertaking 50 much the better, as this
would make the work all the more ma
the highest service to the merchant ma
rine and the navy.
No system OF waterway DEVELOPMENT
would be complete without the Mississippi
across Florida. This point we must mus al al
ways emphasize. National rivers, lakes.
sounds, bays and streams along the entire
route reduce the solid cutting to a very
few miles, compared with the whole dis
lance Nature has pointed out and pro-
S das way Al we haSs to do
Improve portions and the entire free in
land highway OF transportation is open
people OF the whole country It is a good
apd worthy project, for national benefit
not merely Of local interest
When Florida opened an inland water
into coastal chain the rivers, lakes and
sounds. from the st. Johns to Key West,
In which accomplishment $50 miles Of solid
share towards such im nS Th ere
has been no waste by the United States
on q single improvement in Florida-ex-
Of appropriations for Fernandina-
These inland waterways are valuable
assets; priceless resources Of the country.
They have been neglected IN the past No
attention has been paid to them worth
while. They should not only be looked
after now and conserved. but improved
Ing the question of transportation. lessen
Ing burdens OF producer and consumer.
enhancing commerce and values and in
Every foot OF the waterway to the Rio
Grande can be used the year round.
We are not after benefting any particu-
ity or any private corporation. we stand
for the benefit Of the nation.
addition to the navigable waterway, ter
mlna facilities: equal to. II not better.
tnan railroads and then reasonable rates
on the railroads to and from the ports
OF entry
The great increase In commerce at all
Florida ports and on her rivers where the
government has expended money, for in
stance at Jacksonville Gan increase Of 700
per cent: in ten years.. fully demonstrates
| ment has done.
SOUTHERN srArEs ESSENTIAL
| The Southern States do more than one
| third the export business of the entire
| country. More than four ffths Of our
tries. Our naval stores are shipped out
our phosphate goes the same way. Most
on our lumber is sent away from here
pc marketed away from where it is mined
| Likewise our cement. So with the sugar
ana ana rice nst Of Louisiana The salt. sulphur
| supplies come into this territory. Can
anyone regard the Increasing Of transpor-
portanee 10 our people? Can anyone aues-
ways, the development Of inland water
means for handling this immense traffic?
Inc result from such Improvement will
Pc, ne the building up Of new enterprises
9uent Increase in the business along all
lires Of transportation. Greater commerce
and adding Of new industries Where the
waterways take the coarse raw material
like coal: ores and phosphate. naval stores
ana timber. economically long distances
as only waterways can. the railroads will
carry the higher classes OF merchandise
manufactured from the raw material and
| the passengers all enhanced by increase
| OF industries and population.
| The farmers. the producers. viii be i'm
| nensely benefited By more ready access
to markets at a reduced charge. The
consumers will be benefited IN the anne
| way and for the same reason. Transpor-
tation hAe . direct bearing on the price