Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-04-26

q ONE weeks ago the Hearst newspapers pointed
- out that development of the nation S water
ways ought to be carried on COMPREHENSIVE
as a major enterprise of the Public Works
Administration.
AT that time we urged in particular that five
major improvements, benefiting all parts of the
country. should 60 forward simultaneous y-these
being the st. Lawrence Seaway, and the Missis-
sippi Valley, the Colorado River, the Sacramento
San Joaquin Rivers and the Columbia River
projects.
Instead of pouring public money into sterile
and often useless activities, the Government could
add enormously and permanently to the national
wealth by providing better channels Of inland
navigation and utilizing the great sources of hydro
electric power along these mighty streams.
In fact, however the waterways program
should be even more inclusive.
IT SHOULD INCLUDE AN ADEQUATE
CANAL SYSTEM.
FOR example, the projected Florida Canal, from
Jacksonville to the Gulf of Mexico, needs to be
made an actuality rather than a mere prospect.
The advantages would be two-fold.
In the first place. our immense sea traffic
between the Gulf ports and the Atlantic would be
spared the long haul" around the Florida PENN
sua, with tremendous economies III time, IN fuel
and in transportation costs.
In the second place, the Florida Canal is the
missing link" in the system of coastal inner
routes which is being slowly developed on both
the Atlantic and the Gulf shores, and which-like
the Florida Canal tself-ought to be completed
as soon as possible.
These coastal routes are indicated on the
accompanying map
If all the Atlantic portions were in operation
today, light vessel could start from Massa
chusetts Bay and navigate the entire distance
into the Gulf of Mexico in LANDLOCKED PRO
TECTED WATERS.
EVENTUALLY, of course, the Atlantic Gulf in
~ land route should be continuous from Boston
TO the border of Mexico.
As the map shows. the Gulf portion is now
being constructed from New Orleans west. In March
of this year. the actual waterpath from New
Orleans to the Sabine River, in Texas, a distance
of 272 miles, dedicated, and army engineers
directing the construction of the second strip,
TO Galveston.
The third section from Galveston to the Rio
Grande, offers an immediate field for useful public
works employment.
But the Atantic-Gulf coastal waterways are
not the only canal routes to be developed
ALONG with The Mississippi Ohio and ST. Law
renee River projects, supplementary canals |
will be necessary.
The thriving manufacturing center of Pitts
burgh should be linked TO the Great Lakes and the .
Atlantic.
One group of projects in the Pittsburgh region
that should have commensurate Federal support
comprises flood control in the Allegheny and
Monongahela Rivers. extension of the navigable
stage in TIE Allegheny as far as Clean New York,
and connection Of the Ohio River with Lake Erie
by way of the Beaver and Mahoning Rivers and
new canal
Another project for the area is canal route.
with locks, by way Of the Potomac River TO the
ocean-a project visioned by George Washington.
Still other canal routes TO be built or improved .
would benefit the Chicago area and the Northwest,
and in the Northeast New York State hopes to
have Federal aid In further improving and extend
ing its celebrated barge canal
The New York barre canal route includes tbe