The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1910-05-13

1bes. I suffered terribly from consti-
than four hundred million of dol
lars 100000, 000) to the improve
ment of the upper Mississippi sys-
tenn and connection with the great
lakes. The inland water plans along
the Atlantic, from Maine to Florida,
known as the Atlantic Deeper Water
way, have been officially recognized
by congress in the shape of initial
appropriations for sections Of the
work. The Interstate Inland, cover
ing the coast of, Louisiana and Texas,
is partially in operation.
1.-TWO years. ago this month few
men gathered at Mobile and organic
ed the Gulf Coast Inland Waterway
Association, which name was later
changed to the Mississippi to Allan
tic. To quote our resolutions, we
advocate the construction of a deep
inland waterway along the eastern
gulf coast, connecting the MISSISSIPPI
pi river with the Atlantic ocean. and
the improvement of all laterals tribu-
tary thereto
THE islands of the Mississippi
sound make the sound safe for
barges and small craft, and the sound
therefore rates as inland water. The
mission, then, of our association, Of
which | have the honor to be treas
urer, Is to secure inland water navt-
cation from Mobile bay to the Allan
tic ocean. Eight miles Of canal
across Baldwin county, Alabama, and
four miles of canal between Perdido
bay and Big bayou, with the i'm
provement of the mouth of the bayou,
would give not less than eight feet
of inland water from Mobile to Pen
sacola, at an estimated cost Of about
$325,000. l quote unofficial but relia-
BILE. figures, based on recent govern
ment survey.
THE rivers and harbors bill carries
$4,000 to straighten the narrows, at
the eastern end Of Santa Rosa
sound, to a depth Of eight feet, which
would carry the inland water to
Choctawhatchee bay, about forty-five
miles east of us. Senate and house
have agreed in the present rivers and
harbors bill on an appropriation to
begin connecting Apalachicola river
with st. Andrews bay, at cost of
about $4,000. l quote the official
estimate. There would remain. to
connect Mobile with the Apalachicola
river by inland water, the work Of
connecting the Choctawhatchee bay
and st. Andrews bay. That would be
the: both the longest reach of work,
and also at the heaviest cost per
mile between Mobile bay and the
be the last section to be undertaken,
as it is also the section In which
there is the least commercial neces-
sity for the expenditure.
LAS / stated a little back, our as
ISOLATION was organized in May, 1908
We held a convention in Novem Der,
1908, at Columbus, Ga. Two months
later we secured from congress an
appropriation to survey route or
routes along the east gulf coast and
/ across the peninsula of Florida. The
surveys have been completed, except
on the peninsula, where seven differ
ent routes are being surveyed, with
the view to at first establishing a
barge canal capable of enlargement
into a ship canal.
This year, with no disagreement
between house and senate, congress
has voted to begin work on one Sec
ton of our gulf coast inland water
way. Mobile and Pensacola, by
working half as hard as st. Andrews,
could have this year gotten money to
start connecting Mobile and Pensa.
| cola bays. 1t is up TO you AIabam-
! ians and us of Florida to see that we
get the money next year. Both your
senators and all your representatives
want it. But you must make them
/ realize that you want it.
Mobile is inclined to think that
it would benefit Pensacola at Mo-
biIe's expense. Even if that is so.
which l do not think, it would I'M
doubtedIy benefit Alabama. This
/ years rivers and harbors bin carries
final appropriation to complete the
Warrior river route from the coal
fields to Mobile The Mobile Pensa-
cola connection would annex us by
water route to your coal and iron
. fields. OF course, we want that. So
do You.
In bringing about such great pub
lie improvements, public sentiment
must be created. The special or
lganization is the most effective
means of creating that sentiment.
The work requires money, of course.
and a gCod deal of money, to get
what is wanted. but the cost TO the
individuals who support the Organi-
zatiCn is mighty little in comparison
with results What is the result?
To quote distinguished Pensa-
c0,ian, Hon. W. A. BiOunt the gulf
! coast project. in connection with the
others I have cited, means a public
water highway, uncomfortable by
any private interests, connecting