The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1910-04-10

Waterway Association was organized two
years ago to advocate federal construction
lion from the Mississippi to the Apalachi-
cola River and then across the Peninsula
bf Florida.
tect was fine one, but that its accom-
plishment would be in the time OF our
ENcoURAoiN INDICATIONS.
DR.. w: J. MCGEE. secretary of the Blu
reau of Soils and of the National Conser-
9 Commission And spea 70 be co
lumbus Convention, November 3 and 10.
t9Os, OF the Mississippi to Atlantic Inland
Waterway Association, said: you are go
Add to this encouraging statement the
fact that the great inland system OF
Waterways proposed will be incomplete in
many essential particulars without the
link between the Mississippi and the At
great arteries of traffic to each other and
every river which flows to the gulf, the
Atlantic and the great lakes. allowing an
Interchange of eastern manufactured arti-
Giles and western products, and accord
Ing to the estimate of an eminent author
ity, Robert May Caffall in 1896. and con-
firmed by Senator Duncan U. Fletcher of
Florida, carrying to and from the gulf
ports alone, thirty million tons of freight
Z Within twelve months OF the organiza-
ton of the association, congress ordered
survey of the entire route from the mis-
sissippi to the Atlantic Ocean, including
examination of ali the possible routes
across the Peninsula of Florida That
part Of the waterway between the Mis-
sissippi and the Apalachicola Rivers has
been surveyed. The engineers report will
show that the entire project from New
Orleans to Apalachicola can be completed
1T a cost of seven million dollars for d
canal nine feet need.
The Rivers and Harbors bill which re-
Gently passed the House, provides for the
construction of that part of the inland
waterway between Apalachicola and st.
Andrews at a cost of about four hundred
Nothing remains in the way of imme
diate construction of the remainder OF
the waterway from the Mississippi to the
Atlantic but sufficient interest to warrant
the appropriation by congress. Senator
Fletcher writes there is reason to believe
that the entire project will be provided
for in the next rivers and harbors bill.
ORGANIZATION.
The Mississippi to Atlantic Inland
Waterway Association os, now represents
vice presidents, secretary and treasurer,
when all counties are represented, the
Association will have some 900 members
on the state and executive committees.
The association has greatly broadened
Its scope by adding state committee
composed of one member representing
each county. The purpose of this COM
mittee is to further the interest and pur-
poses OF the association and 10 form
When completed there will be 900 of these
branch organizations. Nearly 900 county
branches are now in progress of formation
About $50 branches of the association
are now being formed.
Each county of the states. of Georgia,
Florida, Alabama, Mississippi and Louis
lana, to further aid in the work, should
appoint the member of the state commit
the county chairman of the local branch.
About $50 state committeeman have been
appointed. He, the state committeeman
the Interests s sse Of his county IN the associa
ton. He will be the ranking officer of
the association in his county, and should
r.. ot,a nf toe
or body which may be formed. 1t is
usually the case that If the chairman of
committee be allowed to select the COM
mitteemen he will obtain more harmon
ious effort and better results.
The state committeeman Of the asso-
project advocated by every laudable
means possible. He is to increase mem
bership in the association and secure sub.
local meetings of the association, secure
newspaper support and publication of
ested In the waterway. To collect data,
tonnage, and in short to do all things to
forward the interests and purposes of the
COUNTY BRANCHES.
The County Branch is a part Of the
association conducting the work locally
man, who is chairman, and all members
of the Mississippi to Atlantic Inland
Waterway Association in the county.
The state committeeman has the au-
thority to appoint chairmen of four COM
inittees, viz:
Membership and Subscriptions,
Collection of Data,
Education,
preside at all meetings. of the county
branch and do all things to further the
purposes of the Association.
The chairman of the committees have
the authority to select the remaining
members of their respective committees,
which may contain any desired number,
and preside at committee meetings.
The purDOSA of the committee on pub
Lefty Is to publish through the press, or
otherwise, information on all subjects per-
tanning TO canal river and port develop
ment, including interviews with leading
men, making the application local as well
as general, and especially to see that in
formation sent out by the officers OF the
association is given due publicity. Cop
les of all OF which are to be sent to the
secretary for the files of the association
The purpose of the Committee on Mem
bership and Subscriptions is to broaden
the influence of the association by secur
dresses are to be sent to the secretary
and increase the needed sinews of wal
by collecting money in amounts of any
size, which are to be sent to the secre'
tary.
all information relating to existing com
fnerce, business and resources of the
county and those likely to be developed
compiled to show the benefits to accrue
by reason of the construction of the
waterway. All of which is to be forward
ed to the secretary as rapidly as possible
ment to be made to the Rivers and Har.
bors Committee and members of congress
showing the reasons for the construction
of the waterway.
The Committee on Education is to holt
essay contests on waterways and all re
lated subjects In the public schools OF
otherwise, offering prizes for the ten bes
essays. Prize winners in the local con,
tests will be admitted to state contes
I'm which ten prizes will be awarded. AlsC
to do all things looking to the education
of those not informed and the convertins
of non believers in the project.
PEOPLE MUST MAKE DEMAND.
I have been told that about one pei
cent. of the people only are sending mes
eesages to our members of congress.
favorinG the construction of the water.
way; some are opposed to it and the Iarg,
smajority of our people are not Interested
This condition can exist but for one rea
son; namely: lack of knowledge os to tn,
advantages and benefits to DO derived
congressman said 10 me: Go home an,
get the people stirred up. Show then
The work can he done at once. if the,
demand IL. We have our ears to thu
ground and are ready 10 act when III,
people speak"
One OF the reasons why our congress
men now acquire exceptional support AM
demand on the part of their constituency
IS because the nation has become arouset
20 the benefits and necessity of wateTwa
rd is Ialncp,