The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1916-11-29
IT IS UP To 0CALA
To IMPROVE THE 0KLAWAHA
Congressman Clark and Engineer Fneran Say That it is
Probable the Government Will Dig Silver Springs Canal
Il necessary HOWEVER, PROVE THAT THE CITY WANTS AND WILL MAKE GOOD USE OF THE WATERWAY ORDER
OBTAIN THE NEEDED APPROPRIATION

Congressman Frank Clark believes
that he can get an appropriation from
Congress to dig the ship canal from
Silver Springs to Ocala, if it can be
shown that the canal will benefit the
city, and he believes that this showing
can be made
'It's up to the citizenship of Ocala
am willing to do my part" Con-
gressman Clark told the meeting at
the courthouse last night, held for the
purpose of ascertaining the senti-
ment of the city towards the project
''If we can get a favorable report
from the engineers, then the fight is
practically won"
Mr.. Clark said that the develop
ment of the Ocklawaha river already
had the endorsement of the govern
ment engineers, and that, while the
appropriation for this improvement
!. had been held up in the Senate as the
result of fight against it on the part
of few senator's, the appropriation
was bound to be forthcoming sooner
or later. He said he thought that the
development of the river and the dig
ging of the canal should be considered
as one proposition.
The meeting last night gave the
proposed canal an endorsement thai
was practically unanimous. Ed Car.
michael alone opposed the canal or
the grounds that it might prove in.
furious to the waters of Silver Spring:
and Silver river. At the suggestion
of Congressman Clark himself, that {
committee be appointed to gather the
data required by the engineers, Presi
dent Rogers, of the board of trade
and Of the Silver Springs Canal com
mission, was authorized to name {
committee Of three to cooperate with
the engineers. Mr.. Rogers has ap
: pointed W. t. Gary, J. d. Rooney anc
H. B. Clarkson.
Mr.. Clark pointed out that at pres
ent it was difficult to get items int
ha Lox INf
because of public sentiment aroused
against-the so-called pork barrel b!
recent outcries on the part of sucl
men as Senator Burton of Ohio, who
&-when he was himself chairman of tn,
rivers and harbors committee Of tn,
House, reported one of the larges
bills ever reported out of the commit
tee. 1t is very important, therefore
as Mr.. Clark said, that all availabl
data be gathered for Congress to ac
on.
William Warwick Fineran, civi
engineer, representing Major Ladu
Of the government engineering corp
in this district, accompanied Con
. gressman Clark to Ocala, and wa
present at the meeting. Mr.. Fineral
told the meeting that it was tru
that Major Ladue had recommends
in his recent report that the canal b
rot dug, but that, if he could be show
now that the canal was a. good prop
osition, Major Ladue was ready t
make a favorable report. Enginee
Fineran gave an outline of what tn
engineers want in the way of info1
nation. Do the people want tn
canal? Do they demand it? There
a difference between wanting and de
manding, the engineer said. Is tn
canal needed? If so, should. the go1
eminent finance it, or should privat
parties finance it? Or should the gov
ernment and the city or county shal
the cost? Does the project conf1iC
with government improvements els'
where? Will the United States benef
by the canal? IF the city and count
will benefit, then the country will bel
eft by it, the engineer stated. M
Fineran said that railroad could nj
afford to build station for three (
-four people. Neither could the go
nmment spend it's money on prop
bition that would benefit only few
eff you can prove that Ocala h;
the volume of business, and that Il
canal will increase this business, the