Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-02-18
WATERWAYS CHIEF.
.UPHOLDS POSITION
Of G0V.F. 0. [0WDEN.
w. /. SACkETT DENIES CHARGES
THAT RECENT SPRINGFIELD
MEETING WAS PREDOMiNATED
BY STATE EXECUTIVE.

Exceptions are taken to the "insid
stun on the waterway as printed Fri
day in the Free TradcrJournal by St
perntendcnl OF Waterways w l.
Sacketl, of Morris. MIR. Sackeu dc
MES the assertion made by Seecretar,
iiarsrarc, of the Illinois Valley Mann
iacturers Club, that the recent meet
ny at Springfield. was I.owdcn prc
dominated affair He algo make,
other denials as follows.
Editor Free Trader-Journals
Deal Sir:
IN your issue Of Friday Feb. Il.
uhdef the heading of Inside Stuff OF,
the Waterway statements are made
not based upon fact. Assuming it
Is the desire OF the press the peo.
PIE should have facts, permit me
TO state the figures published are
hot ilnal. II was stated and under.
stood they are subject to revision
"hen additional investigation il
bad of engineering conditions. As
given they are not accurate.
IN the communication from Gen.
Black to Mr.. HarPrave. al La
sale, the public spirit and enter.
prise OF the citizens of La sallc was
commended for starting worn to -
cule terminal facilities In this
communication there is nothing
committing Secretary Baker or thr
war department to any plan of
waterway.
NO approval has been given by
the war department to any plan of
waterway, although the contrary has
been claimed. Until proper plans
nave been worked ont no approval
oi any plan is likely to be obtained
To secure needed engineering data
ana detailed plans is the effort of
Gov Lowden. that the project may
be properly presented
Inc suggestion OF repairs TO The
present Illinois and Michigan canal
10 the extent Of Si00.0C1 was not
thc suggestion Of Gov LoWden. but
oi members Of the committee pres.
ent Interested in emergency ship
plhg during the present year and
Tor ultimate use in construction Of
an approved waterway estimated
by United States engineers pres.
ent to mean a saving in final con.
slruclion of approximately one mil
lion dollars
Mr.. Hargraye did not go to the
mat nor was there cheated dis.
cussion with Gov. Lowden on this
or any other proposition On the
contrary The ston0graphic report
OF the meeting shows the adoption
OF resolution of approval, if the
necessary funds could be secured
without dissent by Mr.. Harerayc
or any one else present.
After receiving a statement of
actual conditions from Gov. Lowdcn
ana nearing report Of engineering
up to the present time.
there was general discussion and
numerous Inquiries made All these
ere frankly answered Two emin.
cnt United States engineers con.
lirmed what was presented in beha's
Di the state.
Inc slenographit report shows
expressions by members of the com.
nlttee present to the effect that
ne report OF conditions to this con.
.erence for the first time presented
n comprehensive. frank and in.
Lelllgent manner the various prob.
ems involved in this great enter.
Prise, Nj. T. 7. Harris, selected
=" N""'' hiei VI tllt tDllHllIIbn III the
'eoria convention in November
lot only expressed hearty approval ;
lll' said he felt we are for the
lrst time intelligently informed on
ne subject and cannot help hnt
make progress with such business
consideration as is now being given
his project"
Ihe conference asked Coy. Low.
len to continue his investigations t
q tomplelition along the lines be I
ng followed. When all the facts /
lad been obtained they could be IN s
efficiently presented the people for
'ctioh, Gov. Lowdon made II plain &
nat IN this proposition. as in all {
'thers arising which he must act 1
lpon that he would engage in no
'ueceptlon Of the public. but lrankl,
'lve thr people Facts, believing by
ms plan all public questions will
20 satisfactorily solfed