New Britain herald., 1915-05-22
BARGE CANAL MAY
 YET BE REALIZED
Government Engineer teLook Over New Britdp-te- -MiddIeteWn Route.
ALONG MEMBERSHIP RIVER

ALONG MATTABASSEI1 RIVER Georre M. Landers, With F. H. John-
 ston, Working Hard for Project
 Which Would Boom This City and
 Nearby Towns. #
 A barge canal connecting New Britain, the hardware center of New England, with the outside ports of the world via the Connecticut river, Middletown and the Mattabassett river, for years the idealistic dream or capitalists and business men all over the state, may yet become a reality despite the fact that for the past two years the project has been apparent ly dormant, apparently having died a natural death. Major George $. PillsbuIy, the government engineer seems favorably impressed with the proposition and George M. Landers and F. H. Johnston are planning 70 bring him to this city that he may be, better able to appreciate the need of this canal and act accordingly
 This project had always been heartily endorsed by the New Brit ain Business Mems association anc later the State Bushes Mems assi- citation took the matter up, cham pioning the cause. Both of these commercial organizations have now changed names but there is no doutt that the New Britain Chamber or Commerce is .ust as anxious to see this barge oa1a1 put through a:d tue Connecticut Chamber of Commerce has been working steadily on the mat ter, although the activity has been of the quiet sort.
 5 U. $. Engineer Wants Information.
 Representing this state organization President F. H. Johnston has had this matter long under consideration and after much correspondence and several conferences he rc 'ciTcd the letter from Major Pillsbury, the United State engineer located at Now London: s.@ {. s
 .The river and harbor act of March 4, 1915 contains a provision for an examination and survey of the Se- bethe river, Conn. tMatta basett river) from its mouth and canal from a suitabl point on the Sebethe river to New Britain, Conn.
 we shall be unable to take any active steps in the examination for some weeks, but in order to expedite consideration of the subject when 1t comes up, desire to make some pre- liminary inquiries in regard to the commerce that would be tributary to such a waterway I understand the matter has been the subject for con- sideration at Bristol and New Britain. will you be good enough to inform me of the parties who have taken this matter in hand, and whom pre- sume are known to you. in order that the necessary inquiries may be in itiated." #.' @
 Upon receipt of this letter MT. Johnston wrote an explanatory note to ex- Mayor Landers, who has always been interested in this project, yes- terday receiving the following reply. giving assurance of his support
 c. NJ. Landers Fayors It.
 
 Replying to your letter of May IS, I shall take an early opportunity to make an appointment with you to discuss the relation of New Britain commerce to the proposed New Britain Middletown barge canal. You will remember that commission was appointed by the legislature in 1913. and I presented to the rivers and harbors committee the result of an investigation which I conducted at my own expense, using the services of a young Englishman who was at the time doing some work as my secre- tary, to get together the necessary figures. The work was excellently done and the chairman of the rivers and harbors commission told me it was one of the best presented cases that had come before them. They reported favorably on it, as you know, and I am glad that the ups and downs of politics have not elim- mated the project from considera- ton by the federal government au- thorities.
 "T shall be particularly glad to have your support as president of the State Chamber of Commerce in re- spect to this matter, and your assist ance in getting some substantial help from the local Chamber of Com merce, -.s I realize how important it is to have strong backing in matters of this kind.
 To Bring PilIsbury Here.
 The original documents, maps, etc, have only recently been returned to me from Washington by Congress- man Mahan, who put in the original bll, and should like to fully acquaint you with all these facts before taking up the subject with Major Pillsbury. If we can arrange some time to bring him fa Nav Rrifaip belieyp wc