In 1910, the Great Debate raged: Should we have winter communication with New Brunswick by way of a tunnel under the Northumberland Strait? A car ferry? Or ice-boats? Then, the obvious solution was suggested: Why not communication by air? This is that solution... The Pioneer, Summerside, PE 16 July 1910.
The editor of The Pioneer attacks what he calls ‘a vast scheme:’ Are we to have winter communication with the mainland (as promised by the terms of Confederation, 1873 with Ottawa) or are we Islanders to be held hostage on our perfect little Isle forever? Is it to be a tunnel, bridge or ferry? “And now it’s to be an airship! The press of Charlottetown has again solved the riddle of winter communication, this time also–as always–finally.”