Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1935-05-31
EFFORTSBECUN
FOR SECURING
SHORE CANAL
Good Prospect Seen For Con-
structiOn Along With The
''Muds" Project
COMMITTEE OF FIVE AP-
POINTED TO INVESTIGATE

A we'll attended meeting was held
in the Court House, Snow Hill, on
Tuesday evening of this week, for the
purpose of launching campaign to
secure a canal connecting Pocomoke
River and Chincoteague Bay.
This canal priject dates back many
years to an original survey made in
connection with an "inside" water way
extending from New England to Flor
ida. And, strange to say, tho it was
among the first to be surveyed, it is
the only link yet to be undertaken.
Two routes for the proposed canal
have been considered: one above Snow
Hill, coming across in the locality of
the mill a short distance on the Ber-
lin-Snow Hill road; the other, south
of Snow Hill, at the former site of
Benefits Mill.
AS a result of Tuesday nights dis
cussion, it was unanimously decided
to recommend the one above Snow Hill
as being the one which would bring
the greatest advantage to Worcester
County as a whole. Such advantage
would CONSIST in an influx of water
traffics; mixing of the waters of
Pocomoke with those of the Bay, re-
sulting in improvement in fisheries;
a publication of the waters of POGO
moke, which would obviate in Il meas
ure the piling up deposits at the
mouth.
In order to secure Federal recogni-
ton for the canal, Senator Veasey,
who was present, suggested that it
was absolutely necessary for a right
of way to be secured before the diff
ferent government committees would
consider the question at all. 1t was
stated that the property holders along
the proposed route were in sympathy
with the matter and would give land
for the digging. In order to secure
signatures to that effect, committee
composed entirely of Snow Hill men
will attempt to line up the property
holders favorably.
In order to give the project coun-
! ty wide contact. committee was APP
pointed consisting of the four May
ors from Pocomoke City, Snow Hill,
Berlin and Ocean City, together with
Senator Veasey. These will have the
authority to augment their number
from other districts in the county at
any time they may be needed.
1t was felt that with the proper
initiative and vigor, the time was pro-
pitious for the committee to obtain
this waterway which was felt by all
would bring greater prosperity to the
county.
Mention was also made of the
"Muds" proposition, and from the
most recent information it appeared
that favorable report from all COM
mittees connected with it would be
made. Indeed action was expected
in Congress on Tuesday, and Mayor
Byrd, of Snow Hill had expected a
wire from Senator Radcliffe on Tues
day relative to the matter. The chaos,
consequent upon the decision of the
Supreme Court on the MIRA constitu-
tionality, probably halted much legis-
lation but the clearing of the "Muds"
is now thought to be assured
Of course, the canal and the work
at the mouth of the Pocomoke, are
closely related. While the dredging
might not make the canal surety,
the canal construction would make
the dredging necessity. 1t behooves
the county, therefore, to center all in
fluence it can for the canal as we'll
as for the dredging. Either one, how
ever, would inject new life to the
water interests and bring a return of
old-time activity on this most navi-
gable of rivers-the Pocomoke.
Those from Pocomoke who attended
the meeting were: Senator M. l..
Veasey; Hon. C. E. Robertson; Mayor
Ray V. Gladding; County Treasurer,
Roger w. Landlord; George w. Coff-
man; Raymond C. Dryden; DIR. A. A.
Parker; Ralph A. Ross; James F. Dry
den; James B. Tilghman; and Edward
j. Clarke.