The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1916-09-18
Canal Too Small.


The canal from Easton to Bristol
was found to be too small. The Lee
high canal, being under the control
of railroads, was also in poor shape
for transportation, and the Morris
canal, so far as information could be
secured, was practically out of busl-
ness. With these routes open and
kept efficient, the all-important ar
NOR plate district Of Bethlehem
would be free Of the necessity of
using railroad transportation.
In considering the coal districts,
upon which large portion Of our
merchant vessels depend, the sltua-
ton was found to be hopeless. With
out railroads. coal would lie idle at
the mines and ships would lie idle at
their moorings after very brief ces-
sation Of railroad traffic. A water
system from these mines would APP
pear to be a most imperative mill
tary necessity.
Some Of the canals which we
would like to use in time of emer-
gency are leased to railroads by long
time contracts and the railroads have
NOT kept them up or encouraged their
use. 1t would seem a wise military
precautiOn, also. that railroads leas-
ing canals should be required to keep
them in operating condition under
penalty of forfeiture of lease.
our principal navy yards, private
shipbullding plants, arms and NUM-
ton factories, powder magazines,
ETC., are located along or near the
Atlantic coast. A system of adequate
internal waterways connecting all
these activities would be of value be-
yond estimate.
Concrete Example.
"As a concrete example OF what
II would mean to the safety of the ma
ton, will indicate briefly the value
of sufficient deep and wide canal
between the Delaware and Chesa-
peake bays. Should our navy, In
time Of war, meet superior hostile
fleet along our middle or southern
Atlantic coast, Chesapeake bay would
naturally be the refuge for any in
jured ships. At such time the COM
bined use of the docks at Norfolk
and Philadelphia might be vital. An
adequate canal between the two bays
would accomplish this big step to-
ward preparedness.
"The same applies with equal force
to canal between deep water in the
Delaware river and New York har-
Dor and Long Island Sound. This
would add two more exits to guard
by blockader, thus causing still
further division OF his force, and di-
visions of force as Won will readiIy
understand, are contrary to a prln-
ciple Of combat on which success
very largely concentration.
Safeguard Passages.
"A system of canals connecting the
various ports along the Atlantic coast
would facilitate and safeguard the
passage of submarines, destroyers,
torpedo boats, fast motorboats, etc.
up and down our coast, wherever and
whenever they might be needed.
Information from abroad clearly
shows the immense economic and
military importance OF the canal sys-
TENS, particularly OF Germany, IN
time of war. Quick transportation
of war materials and men, and the
enormous and undreamed OF demand
for supplies have been two out
standing features OF the present war.
The military needs alone have al
most exhausted every transportation
resource abroad, and, in addition,
there Is the civilian. population which
must be fed, clothed and provided for
In many ways, and in this transpor-
taton forms an essential part"