The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-05-26

able This -aggregating about
$4,000 600 horsepower-should not all be
allowed TO go to waste. practical men
claim, and it should be the duty Of the
commission to determine just how much
water could be used for power purposes
without destroying the scenic beauty of
Niagara and making it unattractive as a
resort for tourists.
The commissioners for the Queen vic
toria Park feel that their government has
a very vital interest in the Dissertation
of Niagara. owing to the fact that over
90 per cent. of the water going over the
Falls goes over the Canadian precipice.
the American falls. owing to the narrow
ness of the channel on the American side
of the river, getting only ten per cent.
of the flow. They embodied extensive
report to the Canadian legislature, two
very rial recommendations which are as
follows:
First-That the whole subject invoi-
wing the further diversion of water from
Niagara River for power development. In
excess of the charters now being exer-
cised. be referred to an International COM
mission appointed by the government d.
rectly interested Ierritorially or other
wise, In order that an agreement may be
arrived at between such governments as
to further Withdrawals Of water on both
sides of the river.
Seeond-That careful inquiry be made
by the governments Indicated respecting
the charters already granted. but in re-
gard to which no works whatever have
been commenced, with a view to the can
collation. of he same
Both governments are taking up the
work in earnest, a commission Of inquiry
is already at work and results are being
eagerly awaited.
The Niagara question is indeed a many
sided one. Would not the inspiring gorge
and great rocks and mighty channel
make sufficiently grand sight and a suf-
fcienty strong magnet for tourists. even
if the stream did not run dry?' asks one
scientist Ibid not nature intend every
thing for mans use2' said Andrew Car
negi when asked is views on the mat
ter "God did not make the beauties Of
nature for man to destroy said a re-
ligious body in New York state. when In
ringing resolutions 1t condemned alike
the descration of Niagara and the kill
ing of birds for use on hats Everybody.
of course. Is familiar with the joke about
the milkman who iamented the tremend-
Gus waste of water and the poor scrub
woman who took the foam lor lather and
said she wished she could get her wa
ter down where the suds were thick and
thus save soap. No two people who view
the giant falls of Niagara get the same
impression of its gradeur, and for a long
time no two people seemed to get the
same impression of the danger of It's
despoflment. Every man seemed to have
a different remedy to TT his view OF the
danger. and until the governments of the
two countries took the matter into hand
1t seemed as If the dream of the old In
dian would come true. and that Instead
of the whirling waters there would be
only tiny streams Of fiery enerr- on lines
Of copper shooting hither and thither
across the width and breadth Of the land
Now, thanks to the crystalizing OF public
opinion we may have both.
Niagara is magnet that draws the
world to America People in far-oR lands
who have never heard Of Washington, the
capital of a great nation; people who
think that the United States IS a wilder
ness and all Americans real Indians; PEG
pie who think that New York city is IN
the state of Chicago and the county Of
San Francisco; people, in fact. who have
not the faintest conception of this great
government which we have erected here
in the Western Hemisphere, have heard
and read and know all about Niagara
Fails Preserve them then, the people
cry, and a president, careful Of his coun-
try's wishes. starts the bail a-roIling.
SAMUEL WILLIAM HIPPLER.