Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1914-01-22
THE CHAMPLh|N WATERWAY
Important Action Taken by the
Burlington Commercial Club.
The Vermont Delegation In Congress
Requested to Act--A strong Com
n,ittec Appointed TO Promote
Harbor Improvement.


the promotion OF the Champlain water
way and the improvement of Burng-
ton harbor as steps leading to a Greater
Burlington.
Captain Ira l.. Reeves, Professor George
G. Groat and Dean J. u. Messenger eX-
pressed themselves in enthusiastic terms
over the advantages of Burlington as
compared with various cities in when
they had been located at different times.
Prof Groat in discussing the general
situation said that n place ike Burling-
ton, with great natural trade and job
hing advantages situated on what was
plainly destined to be great water
way and with numerous attractions as a
city OF homes and an educational center
ought TO make progress difficult to I'M
pede. and he believes this will be the sit
uauon as soon as the people Of Burling-
ton become thoroughly awakened to the
possibilities before them
The development of the city's water
front was a matter that should be I'M
dertakcn not with the idea that it would
involve debt, but that it was TO he an
Investment which would benefit all
classes directly or indirectly. multi
! ply business. increase the value Of prop
| erty and augment the tax list to a
degree that would more than offset the
comparatively small expense involved.
/ Captain Reeves emph1 sized the point
that the United States government as a
rule insists that the community itself
shall manifest interest in any undertake
ing before federal aid is extended. II"
aid not know how the Indebtedness Of
~. ~
account for the city's action in leaving
practically unimproved the great oppor-
tunties for the DEVELOPMENT of water
transporta ton. and the adoption Of other
measure. to make this n still greater
jobbing and wholesale center than it is
even al the present time.
Professor Messenger spoke Of tho pro-
iect from a publicity and educational
point OF view, dealing with some Of the
ways Of going about the undertaking.
Henry H. Hagar said ne had long felt
shat Burlington should get busy, and h.
would Ike to see some of the iohAing
trade that now looks to Boston and New
York casting its eyes toward Burlington.
F. ". Russell showed the benefit which
water transportation has been to the
granite business Of his firm, and with the
opening up Of the through route he be-
lieved burlington would experience n
marked impetus in business Of all kinds
Gardner Brewer told Of some OF the
efforts which the Commercial club com
mittee on transportation had ALREADY
made in this direction. speaking Of Cap
tain Blacks efforts to stir Burlington ur
to the point of doing something that
would warrant greater harbor improve
ment on the part Of the federal authori-
ties.
A. O. Ferguson spoke OF the way in
which extensive wharfa sc was to be de-
veloped just north of the present wharf
at Plattsburgh and the matter was dis
cussed further by others.
APPEAL TO VERMONT CONGRESS
SIGNAL DELEGATIONS.
Mr. Hagar introduced the following reso
luton which was adopted;
Whereas all that part OF Vernon
bordering on Lake Champlain and espe
cially Burlington and other ports, vii! n
materially benefited by the dovelopmrn
Of a deeper Champlan waterway, and !
is consequently OF the utmost importanc
that provision be made in the years rive
and harbor bill for an appropriation T.
start the work OF dredging the Narrow
n Lake Champlain in order that the wor'
may be completed in time to handle tn
, traffic passing through the enlarge
Champlain canal, therefore be It
Resolved that tho Burlington CONNER
cal club respectfully request the mem
bers OF the Vermont delegation in Con
gress to aid in the passage as soon n
possible Of the bill introduced by Con
gres.mnn Ten Eyck. appropriating $500
90 for the Improvement of the said MAR
rows" o. Lake Champlain; and that tn
members OF the Vermont delegation +
Congress be requested also to prOmot
the Incorporating IN national measures O
provisions looking TO the Improvement q
navigation In the Vermont harhors q
Lake Champlain, whenever the respectiv
communitie. ensure the provision OF prom
or terminal facilities: as well as legisla
ton looking toward the deepening OF tn
Hudson river and measures for the deveI
opment of a great international water
way via Lake Champaign as a legitima
part OF the national system OF interna
: waterways"
STATE INFLUENCE SOUGHT
Mr. Brewer thought the state gov
eminent should also lend its innuenc
to the development OF water transpor
tation as all Vermont as well rs tn
Champlain valley would be directl
or indirectly benefited, and upon hi
motion Governor Fletcher was aske
to cooperate In the movement to lie
velop the Champlain waterway
HARBOR IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE
After further discussion it wa
voted to adopt energetic measures I
show Burlington's interest in the pro
= iect of harbor development so that tn
work may progress at once, AMI tn
following committee was appointed t
take this matter vigorously in hand;
Gardner Brewer, Henry H. Haga'
Prof George G. Groat. Captain Ira
Reeves, T.. #. Kimball, f. H. Russe
and F p. Houston, the secretary G
the club
Following the regular meeting tn
members Of the committee present hel
preliminary session and meetin
OF the committee will be held TO sc
the movement in motion at once.
PUBLICITY FOR BURLINGTON
A communication was read frol
Cram, the Atlas publisher, roquestin
an illustrated article on Burlingto
for publication in connection with
review OF industrial and agriculture
New England, to be distributed throug
the entire six States, and an arrange
ment was made with Professor Mes
Il | sanger for the furnishing of such a