Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-12-09
Of Privileges and New
Contracts is Advocated
ByIntelnational Waterways Con-
mission ~ Annual Report. !
Relates Especially to Waterways Of Niagara
and SauR Ste. Marie.

Washington, Dec. S.-The American
section of the International Waterway:
Commission, consisting OF Col. o. H
Ernst, L. 8. A., chairman, George Clin.
ton and George Y. Wisner, in his an.
nu3l report to the secretary Of war or
the progress made in the work devolv.
ing on the commission calls attention
to a number Of questions which have
been brought before it and expresses
desire for an expression of wishes OF
Congress for its future guidance
Among the questions referred to are
the following:
The uses OF the waters at Sault Ste
Marie for power purposes and the regu-
latiors necessary to insure an equita-
BILE division OF the waters between the
two countries and the protection OF the
navigation interests. The uses of the
waters In the Niagara river for power
purposes and the regulations necessary
to insure an equitable division OF the
waters between the two countries ana
the protection Of Niagara Falls as
scenic spectacle.
The alleged differences in the marine
regulations of these two countries with
respect TO signal lights and the advis-
ability Of adopting uniform signals for
both countries.
The adyisa bility Of building controll-
ing works at the outlet of Lake Erie.
Including the effect upon the levels of
the lake and upon their shores and
,,pon the levels Of the lake and uDon
their shores and upon the river st.
Lawrence.
AaIi, inc l. int boundary
on the international waterways and de-
limiting the same on modern charts.
The suppression Of abatement of ille-
gal fishing on the Great Lakes.
According to the report some Of these
questions clearly come under the jul
rissifction of the commission as cOnstf-
tuted, while some do not and there is
room for doubt with respect to others.
1.-THE Canadian members of the COM
mission the report states. "are ready
and anxious to consider all these ques-
lions and to extend the jurisdiction of
the commission to all international
waters between the Atlantic and Pa
ciffc oceans. 1t IS desirable that the
wishes OF Congress in this matter be
more clearly Defined
Since II completed its organization in
September last. the commission has
made progress in the collection of data
bearing upon some Of these questions.
particularly those relating to the use
of water at Niagara Falls. says the re-
port, and to the regulation of the level
of Lake Erie by lakes near its outlet.
The commission, Oct. %. adopted the
following resolution:
Resolved that this commission recon-
mcnds to the governments OF the Unit
I'd States and Canada that such steps
as they may regard as necessary be
taken to prevent any corporate rights
or franchises being granted or being
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 commits
sion Is able to collect the information
necessary To enable it to report fully
upon the conditions and uses" of those
waters to the respective governments
of the United States and Canada.
The most pressing questions. accord
ing 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 esti-
mated that the tonnage will exceed
10000 900 for the year. The quantity OF
water which will be required in the OPP
Grafton of the canals will be greater
I'm the future. and. says the report. II
granting privileges the respective gov.
ernments should not forfeit the righ
to increase the amount indefinitely.
In this connection the commission ha:
adopted the following resolution:
Resolved. That in the opinion of thi:
commission no further rights or priv
leges should be granted or conferred
regarding the uses or diversions Of thu
water flowing out of Lake Superior. by
either the government Of the United
States or Canada until all data and in
formation are in the hands of the com
mission that may be necessary to en-
able it to make suggestions for the reg
ulating the excess Of these waters o.
that, II such rights or privileges b.
granted they be subject to any regula
tons that may be adopted by both gov
ernments."
The use of water for power purposes
the report points out, must be so reg
ulated as not to affect injuriously tn
level of Lake Superior and the leve
must not be allowed to fall SO low a
to injure navigation or raised so higl
as to submerge the shores.
The report adds:
1t Is not clear from the language q
the law creating this commission tina
Congress intended to provide for a per
manent Internationally board. 1t is de
sirable that the Statue Of the presen
commission az permanent eyecnt;v
board be defined or new board be ere
atsd."