Kankakee Valley Post, Volume 19, Number 19, DeMotte, Jasper County, 8 April 1949 — Stale Moves For Harbor On Lake Michigan [ARTICLE]

Stale Moves For Harbor On Lake Michigan

Indiana Delegation In Washington To Press Bid For Important Economic Advantage Indianapolis, Ind., April 7. Governor Henry F. Shcricker announced that an Indiana delegation appeared today in Washington with substantial prospects of obtaining a new * Lake Michigan Harbor that will bring important* economic adventages to the state. The delegation talked to the projects committee of the National Rivers and Harbors Congress to urge construction of a great public harbor and terminal on

Lake Michigan at Burns Waterway in Porter County. ■ The project is being sponsored by the In&ama Board of Public Harbors and Terminals in cooperation with the Indiana Economic Council. The delegation, which was named hy the Governor, includes state officials and representatives of a number of organizations. The Governor estimated the cost of the project at $11,645,000, exclusive of terminal facilities, and that it would require two and one-half years to complete it. The delegation proposed that the harbor improvement shall be done by the federal government. This consists of the building of breakwaters, the dredging of the harbor and the improvement of the existing channel. The delegation also promised that the state of Indiana would assume responsibility of acquisition of necessary lands and the development and operation of the facilities required for shipping, handlings, warehousing and storage at the site. The project, according to the Governor, is to be a public installation to provide adequate facilities for the free flow of goods to and from the Great Lakes ports. He estimated annual economic benefits at $8,610,000 plus substantial help for highway semitrailer ferrying serviee. The Governor said: “The harbor also should bring a substantial increase in summer employment for coal miners through creation of a better market for Hoosier coal which would benefit from lower transportation costs. Many Hoosier coal mines have a two-day week in summer and it has been estimated that the operation of this harbor would increase this to a four-day week.” The Governor also predicted that

a huge new industrial district would be,created in Porter County as a result of the harbor undertaking and that many large industries would be moved to this state because of the favorable shipping facilities. The Governor said that the delegation’s report in Wsshington today Said: “The existing harbors on the Indiana shore of Lake Michigan are woefully lacking in space and facilities for the movement of bulk cargoes, the ferrying of land cargo carriers and site for development

by industrial users receiving or shipping large quantities of materials which can be most economically transported by water.” The delegation pointed ant also that the Bums Harbor site is immediately adjoined by excellent rail and highway facilities, v Friends who called on Mrs. Sam McGinnis last Sunday were, Mrs. Clyde Story and daughter, Mrs. Adam Smith and five daughters of Medaryville, and Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Coberly of Crown Point.