Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-14
TO HARNESS NIAGARA
Plans for the Utilization of the
Rivers Waters.
CLAIMS OF CORPORATIONS
Declare That the Falls Will Not Be
Appreciably Affected.
NEW SHIP CANAL PROPOSED
General Electric Company Offers to
Dig the Ditch to Connect Lakes
Erie and Ontario.
CLAIMS OF CORPORATIONS
NEW SHIP CANAL PROPOSED
BY WILLIAM r. CURTIS.

By WILLIAM f. CURTIS.
Written for The Star and the Chicago Record
Herald.
1t looks very much as If Congress would
the vandals who have already done so much
damage there. 1t cannot repair what has
been destroyed, but it can prevent further
devastation. Representative Burton of
Cleveland, chairman of the House commit
tee on rivers and harbors, and several Of
his colleagues are showing an earnest pur-
pose to do something: President Roosevelt
is taking deep interest in the matter:
while the international commission of
American and Canadian engineers have
made thorough examination and have re-
ported to their respective governments with
recommendations in favor of a limit to the
quantity OF water to be diverted for power
purposes The limit is placed at 5000 cubic
feet second from the Canadian side, and
1850 feet from the American side in addition
to 10000 cubic feet a second authorized for
the chicago drainage canal. It is proposed to
NIX this limit by treaty between the two
governments. extending over term of
twenty-five years, and that will probably
be done.
The people and corporations interested in
the use OF the water for industrial purposes
are coming here with attorneys and expert
engineers, and are making eloquent pleas
ana ofrering plausible compromises to save
their franchises and the investments which
nave already been made. The plans for
the utilization of the water in Niagara
river for electrical power are much more
extensive than any one suspected. The Cen
erai Electric Company, the New York Cen
trai railroad and two other corporations
Wnlch nave already obtained franchises
from the legislature of New York are in
tending to invest not less than $50 COO 600
IN plants on the American side alone, with
out considering many millions more which
nave been or would be invested In manu-
factories. street railways, lighting and pow
er plants to be run by Niagara water
iIese investments were expected to de-
veiop $4,000 horse power of electricity on
the american side alone and a correspond
Ing amount was to be taken from the Cana
dian SIDE The proposed bill will not de-
stroy or remove the plants that have al
reaay neen erected or commenced. but will
restrict their operations by limiting their
allowance OF water, will prohibit any in
crease In their number and CAPACITY and
VIII drive away new companies which have
obtained their charters but have not vet
gone into operation.
The largest Of these companies known as
the Niagara County Irrigation and Water
supply Company which has an unlimited
charter from the legislature Of New York
and has already spent 100000 In carving
out its plans. is controlled by the General
Eiectric Company, and its contracts are so
valuable and important that its representa-
ton to the government.
Proposed Ship Canal.
For many years a ship canal on the
American side similar to the Welland canal
on the Canadian side, has been contem-
plated to connect Lake Erie and Lake On
tario. Surveys have been made plans have
been drawn and estimates have been sub
mitted, and the project is only waiting the
action of Congress. The General Electric
Company proposes to dig that canal. free
of cost to the government. under the super
vision of the War Department, on a Ioea-
ton and upon plans to be approved by the
United States engineers. from the town of
La Sale at Cayuga Island a few miles
above the falls, across Niagara county,
back of the cities of Niagara Falls and
Suspension Bridge, to a point somewhere
between Devils Hole, half a mile below
the whirlpool and the city of Lewiston.
They agree to make this excavation at
cost of about 100000 for the benefit of
the lake commerce of the United States,
of the water flowing through this canal, to
second for power purposes. This will in
crease the limit of water to be taken from
the falls on the American side to 80, GOO
cubic feet per second instead of 2S,0O0, as
recommended by the International commits
sion. The General Electric Company does
not agree to build the locks or to keep the
canal open. or maintain it, but will make
the excavations necessary.
The attorneys of the company have sub