Putnam patriot., 1914-01-09
PROPOSES CANAL
Congressman Mahan's Waterway Scheme
Boats Would Pass Through Putnam


 Congressman Mahan called al the war department last week and had lengthy interview with the army en- gineers, with view of securing a pre- liminary surveyh a system of canals in eastern Connes1icut, which in his opinion, will be ot immense benefit to Windham and Now London counties.
 As result of this interview MT. Ma han has introduced a bill providing for survey of the Shetucket river from Norwich up to it's juncture with the. Quinebaug, thence up the latter river to it's juncture with the French river. near Mechanicsville, thence,up the French river to the town of Web- ster.
 The scheme is.deemed feasible by the army people, and if authorized by con- gress the work will be undertaken. Water transportation will be furnished by the proposed canal to the villages of Greenville, Jewett City, Packer, Wauregan, Danielson, Pomfret Land. ing, Putnam, Mechanicsville, North Grosvenordale, Wilsonville, and Web- ster. An abundant supply of water for the canal can be had from Webster Lake.
 The following letter was received from travelling man who is we'll ac- quainted with the territory:
 Putnam, Conn, Dec. 2s, 1913. Editor Putnam Patriot, Dear Sir: 1 am travelling man, who, being tied up in your city over Sunday, am taking liberty to put in few words if you will grant me the space. l chanced to be in one of your news stores Saturday evening and overhear- ing some remarks made by prosper | ous- looking gentleman l wanted to say few words in rebuttal of what he said.
 He was evidently discussing ,the re- | cent bill put before Congress by Con- gressman Mahan of New London in regard to a proposed canal from tide water to Webster and was making re- | marks to the effect that 1t was joker and a crazy idea.
 Possibly this gentleman may be in earnest in his remarks and fully be- lieve that such a project is altogether unreasonable, but 1t is most feasible, and not only that,ssssss@1 believe each section of thls coIinly, interested, should heartily endorse the movement, especially the min owners, in whose interest this is practically put.
 Do you, MT. Reader, realize what it in cans to have tide-water coal, cotton and other products delivered in your respective towns? If not, think it over deeply and you will soon be as enthn- | siastic as MT. Mahan is. There seems to be a feeling that there must be tremendous supply of water available for canal purposes, but such is not the case. l am in position to know some of this work as 1 was in | my younger days with the engineering department of the good old U. $. A.. l and assisted in doing lot of this class of work.
 | The whole secret of this mode of transportation is conservation of water, that Is, at the head of your waterway you must build dam suit able to hold supply of water for use in times of drouth.
 A canal does not necessarily waste a | lot of water each time lock is opened l up and by dredging out the river bed | to good depth one can go some dis tances on the proposed route without q lock, and in fact, from riding over the route many times in the trains, I am of the opinion that there is really not great rise in ground from tide water to destination.
 1 trust that If you are pressed for space or think this is a worthless letter you will destroy it, otherwise I wish you would allow it space, as it may set some of you inland people to think. ing on most important subject. Very respectfully yours, IA T-aveler.n