New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1918-02-23
BESTIR OURSELVES.

VI luC tUWuH VI L ohniih Will w.
mence operation as result of the
progressive and public spirited
citizen S completion of a canal to
the Bay. The factory. from what
we learn is the equal Of any in the
State and will give employment
almost the entire year round to
several hundred people. This
money will find its way in the
regular trade channels Of that
town and the citizens as a whole
derive much profit from their
f6resightedness and public-spirit.
Without any attempt at criticism
ON our part, or intention to reflect
upon the citizens Of New Iberia
as a whole, we cannot but express
our regret to the indifference that
exist here IN gar-.s to the COM
...,serfbn Of the New Iberia canal
to the Bay as was intended,
especially when thousands Of dol
lars have already been expended
on this uncompleted commercial
canal that would open up SO many
avenues of small businesses, as
well as canning factories here in
our midst. Within but a few
hours ride of the great waters OF
Vermilion Bay where fish in
abundance. as well as oysters can
be had at all seasons of the year,
it is hard to comprehend the rea-
son for the apparent Indifference
of the property holders of New
Iberia in respect thereto.
When one takes into considera-
ton that fish could be profitably
sold here at five cents pound
and the people of New Iberia at
forded food stuffs to replace the
expensive beef and pork
bought at fictitious prices.
and if fish is desired for meal
it comes either from Galveston
or New Orleans and at a pro-
hibitive price, especially during
the winter months. If the citi-
zens Of New Iberia do not think
the completion Of the canal to the
Bay is one that will rebound to
our great benefit, then the mat
ter of completing this unfinished
canal will be left for another
generation.
In conversation with one of the
most progressive citizens Of this
community some days ago. he con-
WINGED us that steps should be
taken to revive the proposed
canal from the Teche to Grand
Lake where fish is also in abund-
ance and millions of feet of hard
wood is ready, for the swamper's
axe. Were canal cut to this
body Of water giving us access TO
the swamps, saw mills and hard
wood mills would be the outcome
and New iberia would, In connec-
ton with its saw mills have hard
wood factories Of every descrip-
ton. Even the trade from the
people who live on Bayou Chene
would naturally find its way to
our City because the distance is
much shorter than either Morgan
City or Plaquemine. These are
matters that our wide,awake cit
liens should interest themselves
at an early date. New Iberia
must either forge to the front or
70 backwards. If it goes back
ward how can we hope to see
real estate values hold their own
with our sister towns. Morgan
City has more han doubled its pop
ulation within the last ten years,
because it is comprised of wide
awake business men and property
owners who stand back at moth
ing when their city is concerned.
Cannot that spirit prevail here
alsoi It can. if we all pull to-
gether and lend our best en-.
deavors towards every enterprise
calculated to benefit our COM
munity.
Volumes could be written about
these two canal projects and the
feasibility of highway to the
sea. but unless those who have
real estate here will work in con-
cert and take up these questions,
sift them out if they are worth
while, and carry to successful
termination, printers ink will
amount to naught and nothing
will be done. New iberia needs
some real live wires. they need
not be capitalists either, and
they will not be capitalists we can