The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-01-19
Report of Commission
Sent to Congress-.
Business Transacted in Both
Houses Yesterday.
Decision OF the Supreme Court on
the Dispensary Law.

Washington. Jan. l9.-The report of
The deep water way commission was
read before the senate and house. with
the following from the president:
To the Senate and House of Representa-
tives:
transmit herewith the report of
Messrs James Il. Angel OF Michigan,
John Il. Russell OF Massachusetts, and
Lyman II. Cooley OF Illinois. who were
appointed commissioners under the au-
thority OF a law passed March 2, 1889, To
make inquiry and report after confer
ence with such similar commissioners as
might be appointed on behalf of Great
britain or the Dominion Of Canada,
concerning the feasibility of the con-
etruction Of such canals as Will enable
vessels engaged in ocean commerce to
pass between the Great Lakes and the
Atlantic ocean, and the most convenient
location and probable cost OF such can
als, together with other facts and infor-
ration In said act specified relating 10
their construction and use.
The commissioners have prosecuted
the work assigned them with great zeal
and intelligence, resulting in the collec-
ton OF mass OF information embodied
in their report and its accompanying ar
ticles, which Is OF great Importance and
interest as related 20 the project subject
ed 10 their examination.
Tne advantages of direct and un-
broken water transportation OF the
products OF our United States and ter
ruories. from convenient points Of ship
ment TO our seaboard ports are plainly
palpable. The report Of the commission
trs contains, In my opinion, demonstra-
ton OF the feasibility of securing such
transportation. and gives ground for the
anticipation that better and more unin-
terrupted commerce through the plan
suggested between the west and for
eien ports. with the increase OF national
prosperity which must follow I'm it's turn,
VIII not escape American enterprise and
activity.
II Will be observed that the report OF
the commissioners. though as compre-
hensive as the time and facilities at their
disposal permitted. does not definitely
ueal with the cost OF the work they were
called upon TO consider. and omits some
or the details related 10 II. Thus far
tney have labored without compensa-
ton, and part Of the small sum appro-
priated Tor the payment OF their ex-
penses still remains unexpended.
suggest 10 the congress the pro-
pilety or making economical provision
Tor such further prosecution OF their
work as viii more fully develop the in
lormatlon necessary TO an exact and
complete understanding of this interest
Ing and important subject
signed Grover Cleveland
The conclusions Of the commission fol-
low:
i. That IL is entirely feasible TO con-
struct such canals and develop such
channels as will be adequate OF any
ccale of navigation that may be de-
sired between the Great Lakes and the
seaboard, and to conduct through the
same domestic and foreign commerce.
and that it VIII be wise to provide for
81 scuring channel OF navigable depth
CT not less than 2S feet
=. That starting from the heads OF
Lakes Michigan and Superior, themost
eligible route is through the several
Great Lakes and their intermediate chan
rels and the proposed Niagara ship
canal (Tonawanda TO OleotD Lake Onta-
70; and that the Canadian seaboard
may be reached from Lake Ontario by
the way OF the St. Lawrence river. and
the American seaboard may be reached
from Lake Ontario by way Of the ST
Lawrence and Lake Champlain. and the
Hudson river. or by way OF the Oswego-
Oneida Mohawk valley and the Hud-
son river.
3. That the alternative routes from
Lake Ontario to the Hudson river re-
uuire CON plete surveys and a full de-
velopment Of economic consideration TO
determine their relative availability.
I. That moderate control OF the levee
or Lake Erie and of the Niagara river
Hbove Tonawanda may be justified in
connection with the Niagara ship canal.
the determination In this matter to rest
on full examination OF the physical
conditions.
g. That The policy should contemplate
the ultimate attainment of the largest
successful capacity and that all works
Should be planned on this basis, and that
the actual execution should conform
thereto, insofar as the works may. with
out prejudice. be progressively de-
Neioped with the actual demands of
commerce.
6. That il is practicable TO develop the
work In separate sections, and the sew
eral sections, In part, by degrees, each
step having its economic justification
so that the benefits should follow close.
j. on expenditures without awaiting the
completion OF the system as whole
:. That the completion OF the entire
system as quickly az proper projects car
be matured and economically executed 4.
fully justified.
s. That the Niagara ship canal should
be first undertaken. and. incidentally
the broadening and further deepening o
iit lhitllutAldNt NldUclS oI the laktS
the same being in the logical order o
development and also requiring the leas
time for consideration.
The Day In CONGRESS-
Washington, Jan. 19.-The scnat
agreed 10 take up the Nicaragua cana
bill This gives the measure the par
liamcntary advantage Of being the un
finished business Of the senate so tha
II viii be considered from day to day
until final action Is secured
The prospect Is that n nnal vote vii
b. reached az an early day. and tn
test vote yesterday on taking up thi
bill, yeas SO. nays IL. foreshadowed u
Ib%sage Senator Morgan Of Alabam
trencd tho debate with lengthy speec