The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1920-04-10

miles of the city. Once il was dredg-
ed to the proper depth. thrown open
to The commerce of the world, 1t would
| not be long before the wheels of
manufactures of every sort would be
situated on this Ship Channel.
Houston is fifty miles from the
Gulf. yet Houston is today an inland
, port that il making wonderful head
way In the commerce OF the world.
At first the project WAS laughed at by
GalvesiOniaDs-nov they weep.
New Orleans would rgh today if
told that New Iberia purposed 10
make itself an inland port. However.
with a bit of push, assistance from the
government. which they would gladly
give, and the spirit of cooperation
between all hands concerned it could
be made an inland port within Just
few years.
1t listens like a dream-but IL can
happen-and should ina few wears
become reaiity. Because of the
Persh'ng Way being routed through
here and because We are on the route
of the Old Spanish Trail New Iberia
at the present time il being given con
siderable publicity in other parts of
the U. 8. A.
The tourist trade in New IBERIA
within the next eighteen months will
be enormous. but once an inland port
is established other railroads would
be pleased to route their rails down
here and make it in reality a real
city. What could be more happy
combination than being routed on
n Fan nf II
systems, on the Bayou Teche, on the
Waterways, known AZ the Intercoast.
al canal. aud on two Of the big high
ways of the United Sta.es? Some
happy combination isn't it?
With the Intercoastal Canal virtu-
ally touching the city; with railway
facilities At our command. with a
Bayou Teche as a means of river tran
sportation and the project of an iu-
land port facing its people the pros
Jects of our community would indeed |
be bright. We soon will have all of
them with the exception Of the ship
Channel and the Intercoastal canal,
but even the latter is fast nearing |
completion and will, within few
years, be a fact:
South America, which is growing by |
leaps and bounds, offers an opportun-
itv without parallel to Louisiana and
Texas ports and We should soon be up |
and dol nR to make New Iberia a
port. tsgoing t0scOst III some money,
bat the value OF the land along that
channel would be enhanced to such |
figure that II would partly pay for it
self, in addition to what the govern
ment would appropriate in moneys
its commercial vaiuel OF the
United States.
Vision and visualizing always are
needed for the upbuilding of com
munity and while some readers may
take the attitude that what was good |
enough for grand father is good en-.
nough for me have but to hark back 4
were used for illumination, until the
sheriff stepped in and got them; bark
back to the time when the motor car.
motor truck and tractor were unknown
but to realise that the world is ad
vancing and we should not permit
to retroKr ade-but advance
intelliRently, but methodi
cally-but still advance.
The New Iberia Chamber Of Com
merce 10 now exploiting its city as
point Of tourist attraction. is working
along sane lines to add factories and
q few more pay rolls to city, is ad.
vocating more modern farming met |
hods In Iberia Parish, and Is working !
with might aud main as fast Ms the |
wheel can with safety revolve to MAKE
It the principal city between New Or
leans and Beaumont. Are you with |
us, or will you throw monkey
wrench in the machinery?
The Ship Channe! project looks big
at the present writing, but in few
years, with proper handling, the pro-
ject will look small by comparion and |
New Iberia will be in position to |
handle the situation adequately.
There is no hurry about it all-not
bit; but get the thought and let it re-
main NJ an inspiration towards great
things yet to be done by New Iberia
and, remember this, 1T CAN BE
DONE