Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1911-11-30
BURLINGTON MUST Be READY
Government Wants Information
Regarding Deeper Channel.
harb"r Facilities. Freight Rates, Win
ter sports-Peaee Treaties and
New Industries Discussed BY
Commercial Club.

|
subjects OF interest and importanc,
to tho people OF Burlington we're tak
en- up.
ST. LAWRESCE-I.AKE CIIAMPL,ArN
! CANAL.
AZ proof OF the progress which f.,
already being made in connection with
the project OF a canal between the st.
Lawrence and Lake Champlain, 20
supplement the enlargement Of the
canal connecting Lake Champlain with
the Hudson river. the president of the
Commercial club read n statement to
the effect that the Montreal Light.
Heat and Power company has lodged
( "A protest with the minister of public
works At Ottawa against the approval
of plans for the proposed st. Lawrence
Lake Champlain canal. Tho plans
were filed some time ago and MAX -
/ provision for a waterway from the
! ltchelieu river near St Johns across
country to tho St Lawrence. The
plans have been reported on by A. i.
! Dcbuc. the district engineer of the
/ department, who gives technical
description of the proposed undertake
ing and who announces that it wouli
cost the Canadian government abou.
| SS,000.0OO, exclusive of damages 10
any concern like the Light Heat ana
| Power company. AS result of the
/ controversy. and in consideration Of
the fact that the proposed canal would
connect the St Lawrence with Lake
Champaign it was announced that the
subject would probably be referred -
the international Waterways Com
mission before final adjustment is
made.
The secretary Of the club announced
states engineer corps. while in the
city the other day, requested the club
to take steps 10 provide the national
government with some estimate Ct
the value which the development 81
the deeper channel by way Of the
Champlain route would he to the PEG
pie Of Burlington. Lieutenant Black
stated that the policy OF the govern
ment was to not invest a larger sum
| In development of waterways than
would represent a fair rate of inter-
est on the amount of increased bust
ness resulting from such improvement.
The matter OF furnishing the desired
Information was discussed at consider
able length Senator NJ. l.. Powell thought
1t would be OF little benefit to Burlington
to have no harbor facilities for the ac
commodation Of such craft as the deeper
waterway would accommodate and for
people OF this city to simply see Lake
Champaign commerce go by on the other
side
PUBLIC WHARF.
Ex-Mayor James F. Burke said that
proceedings had already been begun look
ing toward tho condemnation Of a site for
a wharf just south OF the foot OF College
street. He said that the city authorities
had taken the necessary Seps and the
commission to hold hearings had been APP
pointed and II was necessary simply for
the city attorney to notify the commits
sion Of our readiness to hear evidence.
He thought that the Commercial club
should take action and request the city
attorney to act at once,
Mayor Robert Roberts explained that
the matter Of pushing the condemnation
proceedings with reference to a site for a
wharf would have been FASTENED but for
the fact that the union station project
had been held by some 10 affect the
wharf situation and 1t was thought to be
better policy to postpone action until
after the union station matter had been
settled
Gardner Brewer said that he was IN
favor OF a public wharf but he thought
that inasmuch as the meeting OF the Cen
trial Vermont and the committee OF ff-
teen was to take place this afternoon it
10 uyta o. 80 In,
to see what the outcome Of this confer
ence with the Central Vermont authori-
ties might be.
WATERWAY AND FREIGHT RATES.
The extent to which tho development of
the waterway would affect business in
Burlington led to a lively discussion OF
freight rates. w. f. Greene spoke OF his
interview with Lieutenant Black and said
that he though everything possible to
show interest in the project should ne
done and thus help to secure the appro-
prietion OF goodly sum by Congress
for the deepening OF the Champlain chan
mol In reply to the question by NJ. d.
Mcmahon as to what boats could he load
ed with on the return trip Mr., Greene
showed that various manufacturers would
creased facilities.
He cited tho Baldwin Refrigerator
company as concern which would glad
" avail itself Of the opportunity to chip
goods out OF Burlington.
W. c. Isham said that the waterway de-
veloped in a manner indicated would
have an important bearing In concern
like the Porter Screen company which
brought a large part OF Its lumber from
South Carolina,
Henry H. llagar said that the matter
of freight rates would have to be taken
up in earnest IN the near future as under
present conditions Burlington dealers
could ship only n short distance south on
either the Central Vermont or the Rut-
land before they reached point where
Boston and New York dealers could beat
them on freight rates
Albert II. Rutter OF the Shading g.
Kmball company In reply to questions
expressed the opinion that IL waterway
would result In the reduction OF rates on
freight indicated by Lieut. Black, IL would
mean an Increase OF 25 per cent and
probably more in the business brought
to Burlington.
5. l.. Platka called attention to the fact
that Albany had water facilities and vet
the railroads did very large part OF the
freight business OF that city.
EN-Mayor Burke asked in reply IL II
we're not fact that Albany even now
was moving TO secure ownership and con-
troll Of a portion OF the water front for
municipal use
Il ct