Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-05-09
The ChattahOOchee.

HC
Hopes for the development of the Chattahoo-
chez from Atlanta to Columbus have been ad-
vanced materially by the recent decision of the fed
eral Board of Engineers ordering a thorough sur
vey of the river with view of determining the
cost and feasibility of making it navigable and of
utilizing its water power resources. The fact that
a survey has been authorized is significant and
couraging The Board of Engineers for Rivers
and Harbors is composed of men who among
the ablest officers in the United States Army and
who combine expert knowledge with conservative
judgment in their important field of service They
never order detailed survey unless they con-
WINGED by preliminary investigation that the pro-
ject has substantial merit and promise. In the
present instance their decision is based the
recommendation of Major Brown. U. s. A, high
ly competent and experienced engineer who after
carefully studying the possibilities of the Chatta-
hoochee concluded that thorough survey would
be worth while. Thus at the very outset circum-
stances point favorably to the attainment of
terprise that means a vast deal to civic and
commercial and industrial welfare. :ss"
Many contingencies. of course, stand between
the idea and the realization. If the report the
forthcoming survey is such to satisfy the Board
of Chief Engineers that the project is commend
able and advisable from every standpoint, recon-
mendations and estimates to that effect will be
laid before Congress. Then will come the task Of
securing the needful appropriation. The Congress
men and Senators from Georgia and Alabama may
be depended upon to do their utmost in that
gard. But they will need the earnest and organ
lied support of all the communities and all the
interests in the territory concerned There may
arise questions TO the extent to which local in
terests will cooperate with the Government in
carrying out and maintaining development p.SzS.
Certainly, We cannot expect Congress to act favor.
ably on the project unless the people be benefited
responsive and assertive.
Hence the Importance of such work as the At
Ianta Chamber of Commerce. the Columbus Board
of Trade and allied organizations have undertaken
The towns and counties and districts whose for
tunes are ntertwined in this affair should be pre-
pared to exert united and thoughtful influence
when the decisive hour comes. To that end, they
should study all aspects OF the project it pertains
to their particular interests and to those of the
tregion a a whole They should calculate closely
as possible what volume of commerce the Chatta-
hoochee will develop If it is made navigable, and
what range of industries will be likely to spring up
il its water power is made available. These and
sundry other fields of inquiry should be exploited
as thoroughly and accurately as conditions allow.
Such preparedness, following favorable recon-
mendation by the Board of Engineers, will enable
the Georgia and Alabama districts to make the most
of their opportunities before Congress. We cannot
presume to say what the Boards ultimate decision
will be- but in the light of circumstances far
have every to hope that it will be favorable
1t is therefore proper and important that plans
for the future be we'll defined and vigorously de-
veloped
: If the Chattahoochee is opened to navigation
the commercial advantages of the territory along
its course will be multiplied intellectually. For At
anita, it will mean the opening of a new empire of
business expansion and Ultimately water route to
the Gulf. It will mean quickened growth and pros
perity for every town and city the river near
it, Equally valuable will be the industrial impetus
which the development of the Chattahoochee will
assure: for, the plans to make the stream navga-
BILE will include, naturally plans for utilizing its
great water power resources. Hydroelectric plants
can be established at many different points, and
from these power sufficient to thousands of fac
tories, light hundreds of towns and to bring
forces of progress to hundreds of farms can be
transmitted This is not an airy vision; it is sub
stantial opportunity. II merits the support of
practical men who have their and the COM
munity's interests at heart.