Evening journal., 1913-11-18

impose upon US debt OF gratitude
and appreciation which it may be
most difficult 10 discharge.
"Fhe people of Florida have reason
TO be proud Of their land Of sunshine
and of flowers with it's sweep OF
magnificent seacoast. its wealth Of
forests. flowing rivers, innumerable
lakes and delightful climate all OF
which excite our envy and command
our admiration
Small wonder was II that the bat
tied SCARED veteran of Spain when he
set foot in this fair land sought the
fountain Of perpetual youth. for why
should one not wish to dwell forever
in the midst of such delightful sur
roundings.
"Wc come to your splendid State at
the invitation Of the citizens of this
growing and progressive city Of Jack
sonville, 10 hold our sixth annual con-
vention.
"Since New London 1t has been
year Of patient waiting for which we
are amply recompensed by the splen-
I did spirit in which we have been re-
ceived. We arc not seeking either
| health or recreation. both OF which
commodities you dispense with com.
mendable liberality TO our northern
citizens who solourn with you during
/ the Winter months.
"Ne are here TO work for and adj
vance the cause of inland waterways
having met in the northern and middle
sections of the Atlantic Seaboard .anl
by our presence here today we seek %
stimulate and increase the interest OF
the people of this extreme Southern see.
tion in the great question of intra
coastal waterway.
"The construction Of the Panama
canal has furnished a splendid exampl,
OF what this nation can DO, and believ,
there is no project too big for this great
lcountry Of ours TO undertake and prose
lcnte TO a successful conclusion. Whit,
the proposition TO which this association
II firmly committed may seem 10 be bi,
one, requiring a very large expenditure
lof money TO carry IL through vet | be
lieve time and perseverance will ulti
lmately crown your efforts with success
.othcr countries have demonstrated thl
value of improved waterways. Germany
lby her system of canals, has provide,
lcheap transportation for her low elias
freight. thus relieving the congestion ol
the railroads and increasing the faciItic
for handling the higher class of com
modities with greater despatch, and u
both England and Germany the cana
has brought the ocean 20 the doors o
their inland cities. why should not th
limited States emulate the r example
ITO those Of MS who dwell upon til
Delaware which is the most consider
liable river along the Atlantic seaboard-
the problem of transportation + q
great importance. There are FIVE elite
situated upon this river. which have a
aggregate population Of 2O00,000, no
to mention the country districts immed
lately adjacent thereto All of these ar
in need Of improved water eommunica
;ion with the coast cities lying TO th
north and the south. This coHditio
brings forcibly TO our attention th
Chesapeake and Delaware canal. form
. ling as it does. the waters of the Deli
ware River and tho Chesapeake Ba.
/ and located practically midway in III
Atlantic waterways system. IL is II
one section OF the grand plan which hs
= never been reported upon favorabl
Your familiarity with this particul
y project eliminates the necessity for q
\ Quoiatio moi statistics
Il Congress should be urged enc
o gettically and continuously 70 a.