Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-09
ASKS FOR GUIDANCE
Waterways Commission I'm
certain About Its Status.
TOPRESERVE THE FALLS
WOULD LIMIT USE OF WATERS
OF NIAGARA RIVER.
Effect on Lake Superior of the Canals
at Sault Ste. Marie to Be Inves-
tigated-Need for Caution.

The American section of the International
waterways commission, consisting of Col
Q. II. Ernst, q. s. A., chairman; George
Clinton and George Y. Wisner in its annual
report to the Secretary Of War on the prog
ress made in the work devoi-ing upon the
commission calls attention TO a number of
questions which have been brought before
1t and expresses a desire for an expression
of the wishes of Congress for it's future
guidance.
Since 1t completed its organization in Sep
TENDER the commission has made progress
in the collection of data bearing upon some
of these questions particularly those relat-
ing TO the use OF water at Niagara Falls.
says the report and to the regulation of the
level of Lake Erie by works near its out
let. The commission on October % adopted
the following resolution:
Resolved, That this commission recon-
mendS to the governments of the United
States and Canada that such steps as they
may regard as necessary be taken to pre-
vent any corporate rights or franchises being
granted or renewed by either federal state
or provincial authority for the use of the
waters of the Niagara river for power or
other purposes until this commission is able
to collect the informal ton necessary to en-
able 1t to report fully upon the conditions
and uses Of those waters to the respective
governments of the United States and Cam
ada"
Water Rights at Sault Ste. Marie.
The most pressing questions, according to
the report, related to the use of water at
Sault Ste. Marie, where the traffic through
the canals constructed at the rapids is said
to be larger this year than ever before. It
being estimated that the tonnage will ex-
coed 100000 for the year. The quantity
of water which will be required in the
operation Of the canals will be greater in
the future. and says the report in granting
privileges the respective governments should
not forfeit the right to increase the amount
indefinitely. In this connection the commits
sion has adopted the following resolutions:
Resolved, That In the opinion of this
commission no further rights or privileges
should be granted or conferred regarding
the uses or diversions of the water flowing
out of Lake Superior, by either the govern
ment of the United States or Canada, until
all data and information are In the hands
Of the commission that may be necessary
TO enable 1t to make suggestions for regu-
lating the excess of these waters, or that,
II such rights or privileges be granted, they
be subject to any regulations that may be
adopted by both governments"
The use OF water for power purposes, the
report points out, must be so regulated as
not to affect injuriously- the level of Lake
Superior and the level must not be allowed
to fall so low as to injure navigation or
raised SO high as to submerge the shores.
Commissions Status Underlined.
After public hearing given to the parties
In interest in this connection the commits
sion tentatively adopted certain rules and
regulations. and the report adds:
The enforcement Of these rules and reg
ulations calls for the executive action from