Perth Amboy evening news., 1919-07-14
Ship CANAL IS
AGAIN BOOSTED
Congressman Alderman Of
fers Cooperation In Back
ing Big Move

BIZ Special Correspondent.
ELIZABETH, July 14.-Congress-
nan Ernest Alderman of the Fifth
Congressional district is heartily in
hvor of pushing the plans for the
lnter-coastal ship canal across New
Jersey. In a letter to Assemblyman
Arthur e. Warner, of this city, he
,ffers his cooperation with the Com
mission, consisting of Senator Ham
nond, Assemblyman Warner and
President ]. Spencer Smith, of the
Board of Commerce and Navigation,
which is to appear before Congress
Ind on behalf of the State, ask for a
Tederal appropriation for the con-
~Nruction of the waterway.
The letter from Congressman Ack-
Srman follows:
ARTHUR e. Warner, Esquire,
elizabeth, New Jersey.
Dear Mr.. Warner:
Referring to you rrecent appoint
pent with Senator James Hammond
and Mr.. J. Spencer Smith to take up
with The Federal Congress the ques-
zion of constructing a waterway from
Morgan on Raritan Bay to Borden
town, would say that l will be very
glad as a member of the New Jersey
delegation in Congress to cooperate
and assist your commission in every
way possible.
IT feel that the construction of the
proposed waterway would be of the
greatest advantage to New Jerseys
Industrial and commercial life as well
as her vast agricultural interests.
"In proportion to the population,
no state in the Union has done more
10 develop it's waterways than New
Jersey. To this fact in a large degree
may be attributed the development
of our manufacturing which now
gives us the rank fourth place, al
though we are only one-twelfth in
'arear of the Atlantic coast states, and
tfth in population. To any man OF
vision, it is apparent that our increas-
ing commerce demands h a our wa
rwa shall be more extensively i'm
proved that they may become a more
active part of our transportation SyS-
tenn. But a moments reflection is
required to realize the advantage the
canal would have been during the late
war, relieving congestion at terminal
points and facilitating. and exped1tine
the handling of large quantities OF
supplies, not merely for var use, but
for domestic use as well. Then too
1t would have had a decided strategic
advantage, and I understand that the
war department and navy department
have each reported favorably upor
the plan.
"As an engineering proposition it is
my Judgment hat the construction Of
the canal does not present unsur'
mountable obstacles. OF course, the
decision of engineers as to whether the
canal should be at sea level or on the
lock plan and also it's width and depth
would have to be carefully considered
in whatever plant is adopted. Anybody
familiar with the shipping and trans.
p~ortation conditions in n around
New York harbor knows hat the diff
+vre of floating equipment
would have to be accommodated in
l1lu use OF this canal, if it is to meet
the for which it would be
constructed. These things, l consider
as very easily adjusted by engineers
and shipping men experienced in solv-
ing propositions of this kind and they
do not, according to my opinion, pre-
sent very serious objections.
Trusting that you will keep me
Informed as to what progress is made
by the New Jersey Commission in con.
sl.sst4 ng this project and that you viii
permit me to cooperate with yor
whenever it would be feasible, / am,
Very truly yours,
ERNEST r. ACKERMAN.