New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1919-11-29

route from the lake to Jeanerette
distance of nearly mile and n
half, as to select route at least
six miles above New IBERIA
solely because the work can hG
executed at a much less cost
The answer is obvious.
In conversation with a large
number of the property holders in
this City, we find that they al
want the canal, because they
realize that it would be the best
investment New Iberia could
make, and while they are not all
familiar with the two routes adj
vocated, they are almost a unit in
the demand that as our money will
construct it, we should see to il
that it opens into New Iberia, as
near to the business center as is
feasible. 1t is preposterous that
we should tax ourselves for this
canal and then open it into the
Teche at a distance from New
iberia Of at least six miles, if not
farther. We expect to obtar'1
hard wood and moss factories
through the cutting of this water
way. and if we want them in New
Iberia, it goes without saying that
W." must not fail to close all other
avenues of competition.
Let us go into few figures on
what it will be worth to this City
annually by bringing into sure
cultivation, at least eight thou
sand acres in the Little Bayou
basin, that are not now depend
able. To-day cane is producing
about $500 per acre; rice 5000,
and cotton $3.50, but we will not
use these figures, as they do not
an average. To be con-
servative, we can safely estimate
that these lands would produce an
average of 5000 per acre in the
crops named. This would put
into, circulation with us $500, 900
per annum, sum equal to the an
nual pay roll Of the two large in
dustries, Or many small ones.
What efforts would we put
forth to secure industries with a
combined pay roll Of $500, 100000,
and yet by simply selecting the
route nature has designated for
canal of this kind, we create the
of a $3OO,OOO.OO pay
roll, in addition to all the other
advantages that will accrue from
the construction Of such a project.
Suppose that the Little Bayou
route will cost twice as much as
any other route, is it not plain that
the advantage Of opening at our
doors. and the creation Of a large
cultivable area, adjacent to the
City, is worth a hundred times
more than the increased COST
To summarize: The merchant
will not vote to tax themselves to
build this waterway, unless it
opens directlv in the City. Lo-
eating the canal near the point OF
the Intercoastal canal route into
the Teche is bound to strengthen
our plea to the Federal Govern
ment to adopt the old commercial
canal as the route Of the Inter-
coastal. As this is wholly a New
Iberia project, the tax imposed
upon ourselves. making it possi-
BILE, we should see to it that there
is no chance for division Of its
benefits.
The route that will give to the
CITY the equivalent Of two large
Industries with a nay roll OF no
lees than 1900 10000 annually
with none Of the disadvantages Of
other outes-should have the
earnest consideration Of every cit
izen and taxpayer.
Let's unite on the onlv prac-
teal -onto for this canal and
brild it, the most forward step
this City will have taken since its
Inception. The property holders
Of the Little Bayou route, we are
assured. are ready and willing to
contribute their proportion Of the
taxes, it remains only for all of
the preliminaries to be made and
the election called just - soon a.
i practicable under the circum-
gtancee.