The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1922-02-26
TO ATTEND RIVERS
HARBORS CONGRESS
Industrial Commissioners ]. 3. Morrow
viii Represent Chamber of Com
nerce in Washington.

There will be a merry time during
the rivers and harbors congress, which
convenes in Washington March 1. IL all
reports Of the subject matters to be
| discussed are correct.
]. B. Morrow. industrial commits
sioner of the Chamber of Commerce,
and a member OF the rivers and har-
bors congress for a number of years,
left yesterday to attend the conven-
ton.
Perhaps at no time IN the past have
more nlomentous questions in water
way transportation been before the
people OF the country than those which
win be discussed at the coming rivers
and harbors congress-" said Mr.. Nor
row.
Pensacola is vitality interested in
these questions, and will make every
effort to present its claims and it's
attitude at the congress.
"One OF the most important ques-
lions to be discussed is that OF the
proposed ST. Lawrence canal, by the
building of which it is hoped to bring
ocean-going vessels directly to the
ports on the Great Lakes. This meas
IL
middle western states.
What we In Pensacola are particu-
larly interested in, of course, is as to
the benefit which will accrue to Pen
sacola in the expenditure OF more than
$500, 100000 of the peoples money.
People OF our city are naturally inter-
ested in harbor and waterway develop
men, but, 1 feel reasonably certain,
that practically all the peAple are OPP
posed to a lavish expenditure of money
in which Pensacola does not share
and which might possibly divert bust
ness from this port to others located
advantageously to take advantage of
additional water carrier system. and
the attendant reduction in rates
brought about by their institution.
Pensacola with its magnificent har-
Dor. which requires but a small an
nual expenditure for harbor improve
ment and upkeep is nevertheless taxed
to maintain other ports and waterways
from which it cannot possibly derive
any direct or.even indirect benefit
ITO continue backing up q sound
policy OF the government for the i'm
provement OF rivers and harbors is
essentially our duty, but believe the
time has come when the fullest inves-
tigation should be made of plans which
are not essentially needed.
Again. vast expenditures of money
for projects which serve one section,
tend to divert traffic from accepted
channels, and which do not give to all
of the country the advantages of the
reductions in freight rates brought
about by water carriers should be
carefully weighed in the balance.
Pensacola, which has no tributary
rivers which could be developed and
which up to the present time has been
denied appropriations for the con-
struction of an inter coastal canal be-
tween Pensacola and Mobile-such ap-
preparations being justified when we
compare the government appropria-
lions for our harbor development and
upkeep with other ports-is situated
just right at present to fail to enjoy
the value given other communities To-
Gated on the great water arteries of
the country.
ut is my belief that is economically
unsound and unfair for any great
structure to be erected in this coun-
try In which the entire country does
not share.
ut is also manifestly uneconomic to
force a movement by water carriers
through certain centers Of distribution,
and attempt to force such movement
through these centers to points inland,