The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-05-08
sROULD PREsERVE NIAGARA.
Report Of the international waterways
Commission,

Aep0ft Of tho ntePnaugna WatefWays
Commission.
WASHINGTON, May 1.-THE following
report Of the International Waterways
Commission has been made to the Score
tary Of War by the American members
and to the Canadian Minister Of Public
Works by the members Of the commission
from Canada, and was made public at the
White House to-day:
The commission has made O thorough
investigation of the conditions existing at
Niagara Falls and the two sections have
presented reports 10 their respective Gov
ernments, setting forth these conditions 20
which attention 10 invited. The following
views and recommendations are based pom
a careful study Of the facts and conditions
set forth In these reportsi
l. In tho opinion Of the commission. IL
would be a sacrilege to destroy the scenic
effect Of Niagara Falls.
2. While the commission are not fully agreed
as to the effect of diversions Of water from
Niagara Falls. all are of the opinion that
more than 80, 900 cubic feet per second on the
Canadian side Of the Niagara River or on the
Niagara peninsula. and 1880 cubic feet per
second on the American side Of the Niagara
River. including diversions for power pur-
poses or the Erie Canal. cannot be diverted
without injury to Niagara Falls as a whole.
8. h commission therefore recommend
that such diversions. exclusive Of water re-
CURED for domestic use or the service Of locks
In navigation canals. be limited on the Cana
dian side TO $4,000 cubic feet: per second. and
on the United States side 90 $500 cubic feet
per second. and b addition thereto Q diver
sion for sanitary purposes not TO exceed
5000 cubic feet per second be authorized
for the Chicago drainage canal. and that q
AaA A. -. A-l ia 49,
diversions to the Quantities mentioned.
The effect Of the diversion of water by the
Chicago drainage canal upon the general
navigation interests Of the Great Lakes sys-
tenn will be considered In q separate report.
The Canadian section, While asserting to
the above conclusions. did 80 upon the I'M
derstanding that in connection Herewith
should be expressed their view that any
treaty or arrangement as to the preservation
OF Niagara Falls should be limited to the term
OF twenty-five years and should also estab-
lish the principles applicable to all diversions
or uses Of waters adjacent to the international
boundary and of all streams which flow across
the boundary. The follow principles are
suggested:
/. In all nsvigable waters the use for
navigation purposes IL Of primary and para
mount right. The Great Lakes system on
the boundary between the United States
and Canada and finding its outlet by the st.
Lawrence to the sea should be maintained
In Its integrity.
2. Permanent or complete diversions of
navigable waters or their tributary streams
should only be permitted for domestic pur-
poses and for the use Of locks In navigation
canals.
8. Diversions can be permitted Of a EN-
porary character, where the water Is taken
and returned again. when such diversions
do not interfere In any way with the interests
Of navigation. In such cases each countr y
is to have a right to diversion In equal guam
titles.
4. No obstruction or diversion shall be
permitted In or upon any navigablo wat r
crossing the boundry or in or from streams
tributary thereto which would injuriously
affect navigation in either country.
8. Each co untry shall have the right OF
diversion for irrigation or extraordinary
purposes in equal quantities OF the waters
of non-navigable streams crossing the inter
national boundary,
Q. A permanent joint commission can deal
much more satisfactorily with the settle
ment Of all disputes arising as to the applica-
ton Of these principles, and should be APP
pointed. The American members are OF
opinion that the enunciation of principles
to govern the making of a general treaty
is not within the scope of their functions:
the Jurisdiction OF the American
is restricted to the Great Lakes
syStem.