The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1913-01-16
CHICAGO
THE PRIVILEGE To
GET MORE WATER
Would be Injurious to
the Other Lake
Cities,
WANT BIG VOLUME
for 10000 Cubic Feet a
Second to Flow From
Lake Michigan.
WANT BIC VOLUME

Washington, ID. C In an elaborate
opinion, dealing with the principal
points ADVANCED in the long series of
arguments w.sith We're neld last year
at the War 1 Department, Secretary
Stlmson has denied the application of
the Sanitary District OF Chicago for
permission TO divert from Lake Michi-
gan 10000 cubic feet of water per
second, instead OF the 4.lG7 feet. at
present authorized.
The Secretary finds that the in
creased provision would iniure navi-
CATION; that there is no necessity
therefor; THAI the application could
not be allowed without Congression-
al authorization and that Canada has
a lust right to protest against if. ox-
cept upon approval by the Joint Wat
erWayS Commission.
The Secretary dismisses as inaDpIi-
cable the acts providing for a canal
tive Lake Michigan and the Nil
hols river because they deal entirely
with questions of navigation and de-
clafes that When they We're enacted
ninety years ago. the purpose TO sani-
tate the city of Chicago by means of
a canal, could not have been dream
ed of. He sums up the formidable
opposition to the application of the
sanitary District by representatives of
~ cities and six states, the great nav
lsatlon interests of the lakes, and
canadian government and private
interests. rs marking a distinct
change in the situation from the time
the canal was projected. Volumin-
Gus reports of commissions and en-
glneer boards are cited as q basis for
the conviction on the part of the Sec
rotary that the withdrawal of 10000
cublc 1eet per second would sub
StantlallY Interfere with the naviga-
ton OF the lakes and connecting
rivers. observations during the last
40 Years show that such a drain
Would educe the lake levels from As
inches on the ST. Lawrence River to
% inches in Lake Huron and Michi-
gan, at mean lake levels, the lowering
erect belng much greater at low Wat
ef periods. when the additions short
age would be most felt. This re-
it is said. would substantial
~ lnJlire all the American and Cam
aaial harpofs on the Great Lakes.
and at Montreal the river level prob
ably would be lowered twelve inches
he United States has spent over
$50, 100000 on these harbors and tho
canadian government has improved
over fifty of its harbors which would
suffer. Reconstruction of the Ameri-
can n Canadian canals might even
De necessary owing to the reduction
OF the depth of water over tho stills
ne lowest estimate by the chief of
engineers of the injury TO American
vessels by a reduction of their tonnage
capacity is $1,000, 600 per wear while
ne International Waterways Com
places the loss at the inter-
ISL on a capital OF $4,000. 900.
~ Is asserted that the application
'esls Soley upon the alleged sanitary
leedS OIL Chicago; that even the pro-
ected deep waterway from the Great
-akes to the Mississippi would re-
lulfe not over 1000 cubic feet of
water per second, and that a greater
.o" would be dangerous to naviga-
ION and threaten overflow. With fine
lam OF the vital interests of tba
lty on enc side, and the broad in
erests IN the nations ON &
ne other, Secretary Stimson expresses
doubt as to his authority 10
such a permit without tho
.lrect sanction of Congress. But bo
5 not persuaded that the nouns of
later applied for is at all necessary
o the proper sanitation of Chicago.
he evidence indicates to him that ~
ottom, the issues ONE down 10 ono
! cost, and that Chicago's problem
l sewage disposal, though larger. is
ne same as that which confronts all
ne rapidlE growing lake cities. He is
ltlsf1ed that it would be possible in
ne or several way TO at least so
urlly the sewage OF Chicago at ia
squlfe very much less water for it's
llutlon tran ls now required in ire
hpurlfled condition. Ii is manifest
iat so loh2 as the city is permitted
increase the flow of water, there
M ne o temptation to POSTPONE
'e OF a more scientific
.oush expensive method OF sewage
sposal, particularly in view of INC
- 'ha' the city IS diminishing its
by utilizing the watereow
l eleNti'c power at Lockport, where
L every unit realized, four horse
'wer would be produced al Ma oor
j OF which convinces the Secretary
at no such case Of necessity in mo
~terests OF sanitation has been nra
llted, as would justify the pronosed
to the other lake interests. Tho
OPPOSITION to erect compensatins
'rks to maintain the lake levels is
ciared to be entirely within the
rVlew OF Congress. and Furthermore
is could ONLY be done nv ;o;,+