The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-03-12

ably situated for equalization. All that is necessary is to control the natural flow of water so as to give proper depth Objections Overcome At the time the Ripley survey was made two or three objections to the proposed improvement were raised One was that the Warrior had not been made navigaple to the mouth of Valley river. Another was that the sewerage from .Brming- ham would have to be clarified. The other was the question of an adequate water supply above McAdory mill. The engineer could not report on the latter matter for the reason that he had not been assigned to the duty of ascertaining facts and figures covering this feature.
 Since the report was made by Engineer Ripley both the other difficulties have been overcome. Work has been complet ed or money appropriated for the complete opening of the Warrior above the mouth of Valley river.
 The construction of the septic plant below Bessemer, where the county sewer empties into Valley river, has clarified the water until it is said to be as pure as the water in the river above the plant.
 Engineers and experts declare that there Is an abundance of water avail able for canal purposes above McAdory mill.
 Present Situation
 Here is the present situation:
 Congress has appropriated money for the building of Lock No. 1T a few miles below the mouth of Valley river on the Warrior. The appropriation calls for dam 21 feet higher A bill has been introduced asking that this dam be in creased to 6S feet. This will back the water II miles up Valley river of suffi- cient depth for barge navigation.
 The original estimate on the canaliza- tion of Valley river exclusive of the proposed work on Lock No. r was S,- 5Oo. GOO to McAdorys mill and $4,O0O,o ,oa0 from there to Sloss furnaces in North Birmingham. It Is estimated that with the advanced methods of building locks and dams with the use of concrete and the ability to build the dams much higher that the cost will be much lower. Of course the backing of water from Lock r will greatly reduce the cost of canal iaing the river
 President Massey Talks
 "I must say that I am amazed at the conditions we have found on Valley river,' said President Richard w. Mas sey "The canalization of this stream to Bessemer and the building of a canal from there to Birmingham Is entirely feasible. am convinced that this is the most important work now before the Chamber of Commerce. It has my hearty indorsement and I shall do all in my power to make the canal a fact. There is no question of the inestimable benc- fit the canal would be to the Birmingham district
 Robert Jemison Enthusiastic
 This trip has been a revelation to me-" said Robert Jemison. II had not dreamed that we had such stream of water reaching right up into the heart of the Birmingham district. Now that the Warrior has been practically opened to navigation. it would be al- most criminal negligence to overlook the opportunity we have for water nav- gation to the deep seas. It means more than any man can realize in the rapid development of the Birmingham district"
 Major Anderson Pleased
 T consider this the best day I have spent in long time," declared Major |F Y Anderson. 1T feel that we are making history. I wish that every bus mess man in Birmingham could see what we have seen. l am sure that no one realizes the opportunity that lies at our door, I must say that I am astonished. Why, here is a real river thats offers easy water transportation facilities-a thing that Birmingham needs badly. No man must call this stream a creek any longer. It is river, real river and one that Is. most beautiful It runs in a natural chan mel. All that is necessary ito makefit navigable Is to control the flow and volume of water"
 MT. VanHoose Surprised
 'T must confess that though I have worked and talked for the canalization of this river for more than 8 years have been surprised at what I have seen today said J. A. VanHoose. en- |thusiastically. 1T knew we had "a river
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