The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1912-05-01
CANAL WILL HELP Us
Commerce Between the Ports on the
Atlantic and Pacific Coasts Over
the Panama Route Will Benefit
Pennsylvania.
Philadelphia, April 3

Just what effect the present United
States navigation laws will have up
on intercoastal commerce under
changed maritime and commercial
conditions due to the opening OF the
Panama Canal; and what moditica-
tions will be necessary in those laws
to build up a larger American Mer-
chant Marine, and encourage the in
vestment of American capital there
in, are questions that are causing
considerable agitation in political as
well as in business and commercial
circles.
1t is conceded that the present
domestic merchant marine is scarce
| ly adequate to the purposes it now
! serves, and that it will fall far short
of meeting the demands of increased
! commerce between ports on the At
! lantic and Pacific Coasts, over the
! Panama route.
But at the same time it is recog-
nized that under existing maritime
! laws in this country foreign vessels
| cannot engage in commercial trans
/ portation between two American
ports. Therefore the exchange of
products between eastern and west
ern states by water carriers must
necessarily devolve upon vessels
built in the United States, flying this
country's flag, and in all other re-
/ spects meeting the requirements Of
the Federal statutes.
In view of such conditions bust
ness men in all parts of the state
foresee the necessity, and at the
same time the opportunity, for the
investment of local capital in new
steamship lines, with the prospect
nf To- iNiA in
Preliminary steps have already been
taken to estimate what Pennsylva-
MAS share of this increased CONNER
cial activity will be; and there are
rumors of a financial syndicate about
to be formed, to establish new
shipping line between the Port OF
Philadelphia and Pacific coast ports,
via the Panama Canal.
While it is not known just how
, far such negotiations have progress
, ed, it is realized that within a short
time after the opening of the Pan
, ANA Canal several such new lines
: will be necessary, and that those
: who are first to meet the need will
: naturally get the strongest hold on
) this new business. The situation is
! for many reasons, one of vital i'm
> portance to Pennsylvania and the
3 many industries centred here.
In the first place, commercial mel
) point out that every Pennsylvania
q industry will be directly or indi-
e rectly affected, and that the Interests
, of the Ultimate consumer are no less
{ at stake than are those of the man
n ufacturers, the farmers, the import
e ers and exporters. The possibility o.
g the railroads owning or controlling
n these new lines, thereby retaining al
e strong a grip upon the transportation
: situation as they have in the past
o in the judgment OF many gives a new
4 and more serious aspect to th'
= whole problem.
v The natural fear is expressed tina
e under such conditions the railroad
s would be just as powerful to H.
rates and equaliZe competition a
they are now. And while there /
7. no disposition to diminish the bust
ness or cut the legitimate profit
of the rail carriers, the control o
:, the new intercoastal steamship line
n that carry the commerce by way o
- Panama will, nevertheless, largel
- determine to just what extent tn
- country as a whole shall profit by tn
e digging of the Big Ditch"
u Lumber and fruits from the West
~ ern states, and hard coal from Penn
=, sylvania, will in themselves form
y big percentage of this intercoasts
D trade. With slight exception wha
transportation of these commoditie
there has been in the past betwee
=, those two markets has been by tn
, railroads. The transfer of this bus
ness, therefore, to water carriers {
greatly reduced rates, represents
70 directly proportionate loss TO IN
railroads. 1t is regarded as onl
natural that they should avail then
selves of the best opportunity T,
maining-that of dominant contrl
over the steamship lines.