The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1911-07-24
Congressman Favor
v improvements

That the rivers and harbors COM
mittee or congress will al the next
regular session OF that body use their
TO have congress pass a bill
TO have the unfinished work completed
within the shortest possible space of
time. was evident from b comments
a from this body of men yester-
day. during their visit to this city.
The congressman. while in Wheeling.
made an inspection of the Ohio and
hao the opportunity OF seeing a stage
or but s inches. the water being SO
low that a child could wade across the
river. Following are comments made
on the river by the members OF con-
gress:
Joseph z. Ransdell. Louisiana-Rep-
presenting a state through which the
largest river I'm the United States
wends It's way TO the Gulf: Il am,
OF course. a great advocate Of river
improvements The Mississippi has
the largest tonnage in the United
States. and in my state the ocean
going boats can run up to New or
leans. where they carry out millions
or bales OF cotton and other products
each month.
Next TO the Mississippi. the Ohio.
1 think, il the creates river in this
m and. of course. carries the
next largest Mount OF tonnage With
n n~avigable stage the year around.
the Ohio would be a great river and
IL would mean a boom TO the Ohio
Valley far greater than anything I
know of. Industries too numerous
to mention would then flock to this
valley and establish their plants on
It's banks which would be the means
OF furnishing employment to thou
sands and thousands OF men. am
very much in v Of river improve
ments, as ! stated, and I will do every
thing In my power TO have congress
rush the work OF daming the river.
The conditions noted today are deplor-
able. and | think the trip being taken
by the members OF the river and har-
bor committee will prove a great ben
ent. Tor now they know the existing
conditions and will do more to i'm
prove the river than they previously
nave"
Donohue Talks.
Michael Donohue. Pennsylvania
Win my colleague and other mem
bers Of the committc. | am i'm favor
"t doing everything possible To hurry
tn unfinished work on the ohio
through Pittsburg Is one OF the great
est river ports in the world. and each
year millions and millions of bushels
OF coal is shipped out of her harbors
while tho packets carry cargos of
freight. With a n~avigable stage the
a $50 $50 SUNNY AAAN MNull
forge To the front rapidly and would
rank among the two or three leading
cities in the United states.
The s-foot stage would prove of
great benefit to the Ohio Valley in
general. for then numerous Industries
would seek sites on the banks of this
stream. | am greatly in favor OF the,
proposed Lake Erie canal. II this
canal is built from the lakes To the
Ohio. II will open up a rich country
n Will increase the freight II
on the ONO river. 1 feel sure thai the
canal viii be built"
Rodenberr's Views.
William \. ~koIeuhuTg. Illinois
conditions noted b. the members Of
tn" rivers and hgrbors committees
along the ohio. are very grave. The
extremely low stage of the ohio. and
thu result IA sdsp,ndinE rattle on this
great river. has impressed the fact
On the Numbers OF the committee
tbst steps must be taken a. once 10