Evening journal., 1913-08-29
GREAT IMPETUS
TO SHIP CANAL
Waterways Association AdvO-
Gates Change in Chesapeake
and Delaware Connection
SIX STATES BACK
OF THE MOVEMENT

HtiN yOolCiudg Dg lht UlOGl
tial public and business men of this
city and of adjoining states to the
long projected and too-long-delayed
ship canal to connect The Chesapeake
and Delaware Bays. The deeper
waterway, which received unanim
GUS approval, is that recommended
by the commission appointed by
President Theodore Roosevelt, which
was composed of engineers repre-
senting the army and navy, and of
which General Felix Agnus, Of Bal
timore, was chairman. The compre-
hensive report adopted by thai COM
investigation, was accepted as the
mission, after tireless research and
investigation, was accepted as the
basis Of the arguments urged here
for the purchase by the government,
in conformity with a bill now pend
ing in Congress, of the narrow, shall
low, antiquated ditch known as the
Chesapeake and Delaware Canal, and
its transformation into a modern
waterway to be navigable by ocean
going craft and those huge barges
which carry hundreds OF thousands
of tons of bituminous coal annually
from Baltimore to Philadelphia and
New York and New England sea-
board cities
Action is Urged.
The voice for the deeper canal
found expression In the following re-
solution, which was introduced by w.
T. Tilden. Of the Union League of this
city, and which was unanimously
adopted;
Whereas, the great industries and
agricultural interests of the Middle
Atlantic States are still dependent,
for water connection between North
and South, on the antiquated Chesa-
peake and Delaware Canal. COM
pleted by private enterprise in 1929,
and practically in worse condition to-
day than when opened for traffic "a
years ago; and
Whereas the Congress of the United
States. in pursuance of urgent de-
mands by the Atlantic Deeper Water
ways Association, ordered a survey
for a continuous waterway from New
England to Florida, and that survey,
completed by the United States Army
Engineer Corps and favorably re-
ported to Congress, recommends that
Delaware and Chesapeake waters be
connected by the purchase or condem-
nation of the old Chesapeake and
Delaware Canal and the prompt con-
version thereof into a modern public
sea-level waterway, 12 feet deep, 80
feet bottom width and free of tolls;
and
Whereas in accordance with this
favorable report and with action
voted by the Atlantic Deeper Water
ways Association, a bill has been in
troduced into Congress by Mr.. Moore
Of PENNSYLVANIA, providing that nego-
iations be entered into for the pur-
chase or condemnation of the Chesa.
( peake and Delaware Canal by the
United States government in com
pliance with the Army Engineers re-
port. and
Whereas, great and steadily grow
ing commercial interests call for the
early opening of a free modern water
way to connect Philadelphia and Bal
timore with points north and south
therefore be il
Resolved, That this public citizens
meeting, held pursuant to call in the
office of the Mayor of Philadelphia
hereby approves and indorses the pro
posed legislation providing for the ac
QUESTION, improvement and free open
ing of the Chesapeake and Delaware
Canal and calls upon every Congress
man and more especially those from
the territory directly interested il
this much needed public improve
ment to promptly support and vot'
for It.
Resolved that this action be com
mended to municipalities and trade
bodies located along the line of the
proposed Atlantic coastal system will
the view of having them pass reso
lutions of similar import.
The Mayor Cooperating.
In addition to adopting the resolution
the gathering gave its hearty approva
to the plans being perfected for excur
sions by Baltimoreans and Philadel
phians from their respective cities OF
September II to a midway point on th'
Chesapeake and Delaware canal. where Z
union meeting will be held, and where
another impetus will be given the shiI
canal. Other Northern cities will als'
be well represented at this meeting
Washington will also send its represen
tatives, who viii be met by a party
from Philadelphia at Havre de Grac
and conveyed thence in a steamer to tn
rendezvous. Congressman John Hamp
ton Moore, Of Philadelphia, president o
the Atlantic Deeper Waterways Asso
citation. and who presided at the meeting
here, said that Mayor Preston, OF Balti
more. is cooperating most heartily an'
enthusiastically in the joint meeting t
boom the great prospect in view.
Speeches in favor of the deeper cana
were made by President Moore, Charlie
Heber Clark. Mayor Donnelly, of Iren
Con; Congressman Edmonds, of Philadel
phia; S Frank Bennett and J. Y. Brat
tan. of Baltimore; Howell S. England
and o. G.. Purdy. of Wilmington, Del
Frank O'Neall and James n. Stout, o
Staten Island.
Mr. Clark, who made the mail
speech, said;
'eThis canal question is one which hal
only one side There is no Legitimate
argument against the canal. In TN
West there is opposition to the project
an opposition that is not based on an.
lack of merit, put because the cost OF ~
construction might interfere with TN
ambitious enterprises Of the West. II
order to get what we want we must Sc
aside local and petty selfsh1ess. Ih'
deepening of the Chesapeake and Della
ware canal means as much to the peo
pie of Boston. Providence and New Yorl
as it means to Philadelphia and Baltl
more. 1t is a grave necessity. Bull
this canal and from the Eastern Shor
of Maryland. where / was born, WI
come thousands upon thousands OF ton
Of farm products. Production will b
stimulated. The cost of living will b
reduced.
Resources Of Two Bays.