Arizona republican., 1918-12-09
Where The People
May Have a Hearing
Phoenix a Seaport, Why Not
AriZofa Republican.

Florence, Ariz.
Arizot1 Republican
Phoenix, Ariz.
Gentlemen:
l respectfully desire you to place the
following letter in the columns Of your
paper:
Many eminent authorities have stated
that it is her water channels, that
really make Il great city and in all
probbility they are right. As example
take New York. Boston. Charleston,
New Orleans. San Francisco. Even
Chicago has her Lake Michigan and
Chicago River. Hence the great ships
carry our products TO all portions OF
the globe. Los Angeles. not to be out
done, has its harbor and will soon
| boast Of its maritime commerce. Real
lily, our nation has expanded wonder
fully the last few years and is now on
the threshold of a great and glorious
/ future
! While all the cities of the United
/ States are bending every energy to en-
/ JOY some of the immense commerce
that will soon ensue, shall Phoenix re-
main in a Rip Nanwinkle sleep? Phoe-
nix with its great Salt Valley and its
/ cotton, alfalfa, fruits and cattle? While
! Phoenix is not at present blessed with
sret transportation facilities on land,
1t seems to me that the deficiency can
4 be remeided by an outlet to the sea. A
canal dug from Phoenix to Yuma,
/ thence to the Gulf of California would
at once divert a great deal OF salt
1 Valley products to the Pacific Ocean
and the Orient. The great quantity of
| water going to waste around Phoenix
could be run into this canal and thus
perform a useful function. Ample
| wharfs and warehouses could be built
on the canal at Phoenix and Phoeni-
clans could regale their eyes at the
| sight of great ocean carriers in their
midst.
In time the canal would become in
habited with varieties of fish and thus
materially help the food situation as
the fish would feed themselves and
cost little to catch. While this project
would cost a considerable amount of
money, the future benefits would amply
/ repay the expense
Transportation rates would be lower
and all Arizona products could DE
loaded at Phoenix for Europe. China,
Japan or South American ports. A por-
ilon of AriZonanS would become first
class seamen and more regard would
be had for water. Phoenix always to
the front has evidently overlooked this
of raising products if there is no way
to get them to market. The canal would
offer a solution and prevent conges-
ton of traffic. This water question
seems to be agitated all over the state.
A project is seriously considered here
| of operating q. steam ship line from
Florence to Yuma via the ella River
and Florence may yet have a water
way to the sea. Perhaps a branch
canal might be run to Phoenix and
| thus give us water and rail connection
with the metropolis. With water and
rail communication, Phoenix should
soon take her place among our fore
most cities.
trust you will give this letter space
in your valuable paper. as | deem the
matter of importance and worthy OF
careful considera+rn.
Sincerely yours.
J. X MCCARTHY
Florence, Ariz., Dec. 9th. 1918.
(The project is feasible; that is il
is possible to dig and have a canal, but
it is not always possible to have a flow
of water in it, sufficient to float =
heavy laden ocean carrier.