The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-07-01
MAINE TO FLORIDA BY INLAND CANAL.

MAINE TO FLORIDA BY INLAND CANAL.
A great project this; the construction of a
canal capable Of floating great freight barges
from farthest New England to the Gulf OF
Mexico. For four years enthusiastic support
ers of the movement have been working in its
behalf until the government has authorized
survey of the route by competent engineers to
ascertain its feasibility. It's cost. it's advan-
tages, etc
A weIl-attended and enthusiastic meeting in
its behalf held last night at the Jefferson
Hotel under the auspices of the Chamber OF
Commerce, with addresses by Congressman
Small, of North Carolina, and Moore, of Penn
sykania These gentlemen have been the
most ardent advocates of the movement and
their actresses were illuminating and convinc-
ing,
The project is designed to afford inland
cities and their adjacent territories cheap and
thorough facilities for the movement of the
products of field and factory. giving them
transportation not only within the inland ter
ritory from city to city but by bringing them
into direct connection with coastwise cities,
enabling them to compete for international
commerce.
1t requires but little thought to understand
that the successful completion of this scheme
will do much towards building up the eastern
slope financially and constructively. 1t means
an easy and relatively cheap outlet for COM
merce, thus increasing the trade of the entire
eastern section threaded by the canal. and
| corresponding growth In production and man
!
The rapid development of the Middle West
Is largely attributable to the development and
improvement of its waterways. A large part
of the country's revenues have come from the
ports the Atlantic. and yet far more has
been spent upon waterway improvements in
the West than the Atlantic seaboard. For
example, over $200,0o0000 has been appropri-
ated for the improvement of the Mississippi
River and its tributaries. and only s12,o0o.ooo
on the Delaware; while the value of the traffic
! of the Delaware has been seven times as
great as that of the Mississippi The East is
waking to the value OF these inland facilities
! for transportation. and the Atlantic Deeper
| Waterways Association is actively working
for the construction Of great canal that shall
afford water transportation between inland
cities and with the seaport towns.
| The fourth annual Convention OF the Asso-
citation will meet in Richmond in October of
| this year. and the meeting at the Jefferson was
5pnalIunary and, preparatory to this gathering.
| Richmond is one of the towns hopeful of
greatest advantage from this project. Our
manufacturing enterprises are rapidly increas-
| ing our trade is steadily growing. If we hope
4 to expand our commercial life and to become
a factor in international trade We must widen
the field of opportunity. and there is no surer
way of accomplishing this than by extending
the area and multiplying the facilities Of trans
portation, With canal connections North and
South, and East TO the great port of Norfolk.
there could be no obstacle IN the way Of indefi-
mite expansion. 1t is a movement that ap-
peals to the commercial sense and spirit of our
bushes men. and will undoubtedly receive their
cordial support.