The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1913-03-24

APPEALS FOR
HARBOR GRANT
Mr.. Warner Discusses
Situation in New
London
Chairman Of Important LGgiSIa-
tive Committee Gives
Views

HARTFORD, MarcR H4-EQWaru n
Warner, chairman of the state rivers,
harbors and bridges commission, in
an Interview, today. concerning the
proposed repeal of the act for an ap-
propruiation of s1oOO,OoO for the i'm.
provement of New London harbor,
said:
That the New London ocean ter
minal appropriation is not a matter of
state concern only is readily appar-
ent to the observer OF worldwide con
ditions, today
THE higher degree of intelligence
with it's rapid advancement in all
countries, has for it's symbol Com
mercial activity Upon that and that
alone can great and powerful nations
be built, hence, if a component part
of a nation like ours fails to recognize
it's duty to it's central government
then just so surely is the whole fabric
ed. ed the nations greatness weaken
THE original enactment of the New
London legislation was a step forward
in the right direction and was bound
to be of a beneficial character to the
entire state
The nations attention was inne-
dfately called to the fact that Connec-
ticut was about to Join in the pro-
cesston of progress and take a place
among her sister states striving for
commercial supremacy
Now on the eve of the compile
ton of the Panama Canal it is the
avoWed purpose to repeal an act which
VIII not only be a lasting disgrace
to the state but will place an indelf-
Bile mark against US among our sis
ter states on both seaboards and will
belittle US among foreign nations.
All attention is forced on the Uni
ted States by the European maritime
powers, awaiting to see If we will
take advantage Of the impetus to
trade that is coming upon the opening
OF the Panama Canal; hoping that we
viii not! so that they may still CON
world
with these facts in. mind, another
intensely important matter. to consider
is our faith with the federal govern
n1ent Every succeeding river and
harbor bill passed contains more re-
quirements from State to Nation in
Crder to get federal appropriations for
waterway developments
Look for one moment through the
pages OF the river and harbor act ap-
proved by ex-President Taft, March
4th, 1918, and there you will note item
after item which makes Improvement
OF rivers and harbors specifically con-
tingent upon the erection Of terminal
facilities, for the deciding OF land and
for the purchasing of dredges by the
work is to be performed.
"It is the determination of the SOW
ernment to make river and harbor ap-
propriations contingent upon the abiI-
ity of the States to furnish terminal
facilities or funds for other waterway
fmproveme
'"The great demands of the Mississ-
ippi river system and for the many
rivers of the South is the factor that
is causing the changed attitude OF the
governme ment, hence it can be plainly
seen what a position Connecticut will
be placed in If we carry out the in
tention to repeal the New London
bill
"Shan we injure our chance for all
time, for all of our rivers and harbors
through an act OF reputation, or shall
we stand for Connecticut and the Ma
ton? It does not seem possible that
we will make the mistake.
connecticut as a manufacturing
State, a sea;board State and once a
maritime State, must take advantage
of the trade OF foreign countries and
particularly with South America.
Again why should wo do all our bust
ness through other States. Build up
our industries, give them new fields
that will mean prosperity which will
the State and increase the population
sothat the products of the farm will
be in greater demand. Maine, Mass
achusetts Rhode Island, New York
New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, South
Carolina, Georgia. and Florida are all
building ports and are going after bus
iness. 1t all means that Connecticut
must do the same thing or be left in
the rear guard