The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-11-27
PRESERVE NIAGARA FALLS.
SECRETARY TAFT URGED TO
SAVE ITS SCENIC BEAUTY.
The American Civic Association opposes
Admission OT Electric Power Gene
rated in Canada-lt would Require
diversion OF q vast Volume 81 water.

FAICb III VppNt@ Y
Diversion OF . vast volume 81 water.
Nov. :6.-Secretary Taft
listened for five hours to-day 70 arguments
for and against the admission INTO the
United States of electric power generated
in Canada from the waters of Niagara
River. Under the Burton act for the preser-
walton of the scenic beauties of Niagara
Fills, passed at the recent session of Con-
srsss. the Secretary Of War is vested with
the right of granting permits within certain
limitations for the importation of power,
and also for the diversion Of water from the
uver from the American side of the stream.
The discussion to-day was entirely upon
the subject Of granting permits for bring
ing power across the boundary.
Members of the American Civic Associa-
ton. representing thousands OF persons
anxious TO prevent any injury to the scenic
grandeur of the great cataract, appeared
n protest against the issuance of permits.
while the companies interested in the gen
Grafton of electric power were represented
by r force OF attorneys to plead for the per-
mission which the act placed within the dis
cretion OF the Secretary of War.
J. Horace Mcfarland, president Of the
American Civic Association, was first heard .
He contended that the Burton act specih-
cally charged the Secretary of War with
the duty OF preserving the scenic features
Of the Falls, and that it was passed solely
in response to the insistence OF the American
people that the diminution of the waters
Of the Niagara River for power purpose,
should cease. He pointed out that while
the act limits diversion and indicated
limitations as to the amount of power which
may he transmitted from Canada, it ex-
pressly provided that these limitations
should not be construed as a direction to
the Secretary to issue permits for the diver
sion of water or the importation OF cleo
tricity. He urged that the paramount duty
Of the Secretary of War under the act was
b see that nothing shall injure or interfere
with the scenic grandeur of Niagara Falls.
He contended that the admission of any
power generated on the Canadian side is
fully equivalent in its effect upon the scenic
grandeur Of Niagara Falls to an equal
diversion in the United States. ,
Mr.. Mcfarland aid that the international
boundary line which the Burton act seeks
10 protect is approximately 1 200 feet west
Of Goat Island, and that thus fully two
ffths Of the crest Of the Horseshoe Falls is
in tie United States. He argued accord
ingly that any diversion Of the water which
goes over this part of the falls comes within
the p 1tecting purposes of the act. There
was Nowhere in the act, he said, anything
to indicate that the measure intended
merely the protection Of the cataract known
"a the American Falls. After calling atten-
ton to the amount Of water which the an
adam companies purpose to withdraw Mr..
Mcfarland said:
ia IN raasonahla IN anrnoae that tba III
version Of the vast volume OF water which
can rush at great velocity through tunnels
whose aggregate sections equals 81 by ~
feet or which would I'LL at less velocity a river
channel 1 ,8S5 feet wide at an average depth
of 10 feet, would make no impression upon
the great food of water pouring over the
brink OF Niagara Falls2'
Mr.. Mcfarland referred to thousands of
letters which IA been written by persons
anxious to preserve the Falls.
Yes, I know all about them,' inter
posed Secretary Taft. They include one
from my mother and another from my
aunt. both Of them imploring me to pre-
chief OF engineers Is full Of such letters,
but these and tons OF postal cards cannot
aid me in forming a Cnclusion to carry
out a specific act Of Coz ress and in decid-
lnJ q K Po sas ns : %e saS$ S ol OSe 81 Of the the t COm-
missions Of the Niaakra Falls reserva-
ton, and W. r. Stevens Of the Chamber
OF Commeroe OF New York followed Mr..
Mcfarland. experimenting his argument
and against the admission OF power from
Canada.
A controversy arose as to what con-
stitutes the mouth OF q river. 1t was
b-sught about by the reference to and
quotation from a circular sent out by the
American Civic Association, In which the
statement was made that the amount OF
water which would necessarily be diverted
from the Niagara River to generate $50 900
horsepower would equal the amount OF
water discharged al the mouths Of the
Hudson, Potomac, Delaware and Susque-
hanna rivers combined.
Secretary Taft challenged the state
ment because of the false impression which
1t conveyed, popular opinion being that
the mouth Of the Potomac is where the
river empties into the Chesapeake Bay,
that of the Susquehanna at Havre de Grace
and the Hudson at New York, and so forth,
and that 1t was ridiculous 10 assert that
the diversion would equal this vast volume
OF water.
Mr.. Mcfarland said his statement had
been based upon information furnished
him by n competent engineer. He con-
sidered the mouth OF the Hudson as the
place where the North and East rivers
Join, but he would modify his statement
so as to say that the amount purposed to
be diverted would equal the amount OF
the Hudson at Albany, the Potomac at
iidTptT EtTTyg JIG a. liz"
delphia and the S~usquehanna at Harris
burg. The remaining portion OF these
rivers, he said. we're estuaries.
Mr.. Mcfarland opposed any importation
of power in his opening statement, but
later in the day said that it was possible
that the present importation Of power might
not impair the falls, and that he might not
oppose the bringing in Of i57. 500 horse
power as recommended by Capt. Charles
W. Kutz OF the Army Engineer Corps, who
made an investigation OF the matter at the
direction of Secretary Taft last summer,
If there could be any positive assurance
that there would be no demand FOR ad-
ditional permits. But such. he contended,
would not be the case. He opposed the
i'm 1~ortation Of 360, 600 horsepower, the
amount which Is sought by the various
Canadian conn anies interested.
Mr.. Mcfarland attempted to ~criticise
the methods which Capt. Kutz had en-
ploved in acquiring his information,
declaring that he had made his inquiries
Of the corporations interested. Secretary
Taft shut the speaker OF shor on this point
and declared with emphasis that he would
not permit any reflection to be- cast upon
members of the corps of engineers, and
declared that Capt. KufZ followed the in