New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1918-03-02
CHEAP SEA FOOD AND GOOD
ROADS
Editor Enterprise

OppoItuIlc IL DtHoosco Jul pSo
pie to wake up. "Coalless Days
Meatless Days and other
+" less Days. bring the fact
most emphatically before us that
our country is at war-thougll
this sad state is known i'll more
homes than one by the absence
of a member of the family. I'm
der existing circumstances, the
problem of sustinence of those
fighting our battles and those
who remain at home is one of
more import then most of us real
ize: our Government, at least our
friend Hoover, says Good will
win the war. With this in view,
| am prompted to suggest a step
which / am sure, if thoroughly
considered, will receive the sup
port justified and would aid ma
terially.
New Iberia to-day, as all of rs
know. needs more sea food. 1t
was only last Friday that the
writer paid seventy cents for
gallon and half Of shrimp,
and the supply in the market was
not sufficient to meet the demand
of the community. A few days
prior to this, in order to substi-
tute something for meat. fish
was bought and the price paid
was dollar and twenty-five
cents. Considering quantity, this
was an exorbitant price. In both
instances the goods came from
elsewhere. Yet within but a
short distance Of us is a source
OF supply which would more than
meet our requirements, but on
account of inaccessibility is just
as far off as it can be. Within
but fourteen miles of our town
is Vermilion Bay. and those OF us
who have ever gone there for
pleasure or for fish, know what
is at our very door. If means by
which we could reach this body
of water were at hand, it can be
eadilv seen what influence would
BE had OH the high cost of living.
Instead of the Importation of sea
food, such as is the case today,
we would be exporters. Morgan
City, Houma. Galveston and other
points supply us and get the
which should remain at
home. This is a fact and cannot
be disputed.
The writer for several years
has realized the possibilities OF
our coast and now more than ever
sees the necessity of steps being
5aken to put us in communication
With this coast. Suggestions have
been made relative to this. but,
as yet, no definite measures have
been taken. Why wait? Is it
not true that every time food is
purchased at a price above rea-
son, tax is paid? Tn the aggre-
gate, this tax amounts, annually,
10 a considerable sum and in time
will amount to more than any
cost that might be incurred in
providing means along lines sug-
yested.
Now, as to means to bring this
about. Within but three miles
5 our partly completed
,anal. As yet, this canal has
been but q drainage ditch and as
'uch has proven its worth, but it
IAN be made more than something |
or drainage. Would it be step |
advanced beyond the sphere of
,ure speculation if we would
make this canal really CONNER
'lal IN every sense. as originally
/ think not. Gf / am
lot in error there is now in the
reasury, or at least to the credit
f the canal fund. an amount of
money which would 60 a long
vay towards materializing our
'lans and the balance needed
ould be provided by the City
With no discomfort to it's citizens
y the issuance of certificates Of
Indebtedness. The total amount
nvolved would be Of little conse-
uence compared with the good
erived.
To the above reason why we
hould complete our canal,
mother good one may be added. !,
hells clam shells-Iby the thon-