Evening star., 1903-10-07
WATERWAYOOMMITTEE
ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE PRESI-
DENTS SELECTIONS.
Will Investigate and Report on Routes
Between the Great Lakes and
the Atlantic Ocean.

The President has appointed o. II. Ernst.
Corps of Engineers. at Chicago; Prof. g. 8.
williams of Cornell University. and George
Clinton of Buffalo. N. Y, as the represen-
tatives of the United States on the pro-
posed international commission to invest-
gate the question Of water routes from
the great lakes to the Atlantic. Great
Britain has accepted an invitation to ap-
point similar commission. but has not
yet announced its personnel.
The authority for this action Is contained
in section 4 of the river and harbor aot.
approved June 13, 1902. In pursuance Of
that act the President invited the govern
ment of Great Britain Ito join in the for
nation Of an International commission, to
be composed of three members from the
United States and three who shall repre-
sent the interests of the Dominion OF Can
ada, whose duty. it Shall be to investigate
and report upon the conditions and uses OF
the waters adjacent to the boundary lines
between the United States and Canada. in
cluding all of the waters of the lakes and
rivers whose natural outlet is by the River
st. Lawrence to the Atlantic ocean; also
upon the maintenance and regulation or
suitable levels, and also upon the effect
upon the shores of these waters and the
structures thereon and upon the interests
of navigation, by reason of the diversion OF
these waters from or change in their nat
ural fow and further to report upon the
necessary measures 10 regulate SUCH ulNcf-
sion and to make such recommendations
for improvements and regulations as shall
best subserve the interests Of navigation
in said waters"
Great Britain's Acquiescence.
The negotiations for the forming of this
international commission ran over a period
Of many months, and 1t was only about
two months ago that the government Of
Great Britain formally accepted the invi-
tation and stated it's purpose of appoint
ing its representatives in a short time.
Acting on this information, the President
has announced the appointment of the
American representatives in order that
there may be no further delay in enter
ing upon the important work involved In
the investigation.
In addition to the duties already stated
as devolving upon the commissioners, they
are also required Ito report upon the ad-
visibility of locating a dam at the outlet
of Lake Erie. with a view to determining
whether such dam will benefit navigation.
and If such structure Is deemed advisable,
shall make recommendations to their re-
spective governments looking to an agree
nent or treaty which shall provide for the
construction of the same, and they shall
make an estimate Of the probable cost
thereof"
According to the statute. the President was
restricted in his selection of the American
commissioners Ito one officer of the Corps
or Engineers or the United states army
one civil engineer well versed in the hy-
draulics Of the Great Lakes and one law
yer of experience in questions of interna-
tional and riparian law.
These requirements are met respectively
in the persons of Col. Ernst, Prof.
Williams and Judge Clinton. Prof. Will
liams is regarded as an expert on all queS-
tions affecting the physical characteristics
of the Great Lakes and their tributaries.
The commission is authorized to employ
"such persons as 1t may deem needful in
the performance of the duties hereby i'm
posed An approprtat ton of $4,000 was
made by Congress to pay that portion of
the expenses of the commission, including
salaries. as may be properly chargeable to
the United States.