The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-07-19

Detsplt Mich. July l7.-Hayins
esissd 1 gratifying victory ~sr IL
nsiehboring rivals in th@ recent
census reports. Detroit, with oil the
ambitious fsrvof Of the newly rich.
nov seeks new worlds to conquer.
Having outstripped Pittsburgh and
Cleveland, it 10 anxious to become
rails with Paris and London. Having
risen rapidly In the national e.
team Il now Graves international
recognition. In other words, De-
trolt wants to- become an ocean
port
Ever since the Great lake cities
wese little children, they have been
hankeeing for an ocean outlet, out
it was not until Detroit took the
helm and began steering the legis-
lative machinery that the idea be
ean to appear feasible. Now 10
different states are backing 1t. to
say nothing Of the southeastern
Canadian provinces, which are
eager to see 1t put through.
Viewing the positions Of Buffalo,
Toledo. Cleveland, Detroit and Chi
cago on the Great lakes, 1t may be
difficult for you to see how they
can ever be on very intimate geo
graphical terms with the Atlantic
ocean; but it is the simplest thing
in the world, once the Detroit
Board of commerce explains it to
you. All that will have to be done
will be to remove few miles OF
rapids from the St Lawrence
river by building q couple OF dams.
thus converting the river into a
series Of lakes and establishing an
uninterrupted channel Of navigation
from Duluth, at the end Of Lake
Superior, to the Atlantic ocean.
This, however, is not the, immed-
late problem. So far as the engi-
neering part Ct the scheme is con-
cerned, that may be taken for
granted. The present struggle Is
with the Canadian government
and with our own gOvernment-to
make them realize the value OF this
project to the rest Of the world, and
to get them to appropriate the nee
essary millions Of dollars for its
ifulfllment.
Call o Congress.
To discuss and devise ways and
means Of doing this, the Great
Lakes-St. Lawrence Tidewater con-
gress is to meet In Detroit on July
%, at which delegates from Canada
as we'll as delegates from all OF
the Is interested states will be
present. Herbert Hoover has also
been invited, probably to lend an
air Of economy to the enterprise
although what Mr.. Hoover will say
when he strikes the higher cost Of
living in Detroit will doubtless be
worth hearing. Senator Townsend
of Michigan, known as the father
Of the lakes-to-the-oceanm movement
Medill Mccormick Of Illinois, and
Major General Lansing H. Beach
chief of engineers, U. S. A, are
other distinguished Americans who
will attend.
However, there are no specia
qualifications for admittance to the
congress. Anyone who is inter.
ested in the project and feels tina,
one OF the great desires Of his Life
is to sail straight through the Greai
lakes to the sea, will be cordially
received as a delegate by the De
troit Chamber of Commerce. Manu-
facturers who would like to shiI
their goods by such q direct route
Instead Of making two or thre'
changes in transportation. will b
most welcome. Ask for Tom Nun
ger. He will tell you what to say
| Mr.. Munger helped Detroit pre-
pare its argument for a straigh
passage lakeward to the ocean, ant
he knows Of more reasons VIII!
there should be such a convenienc,
than anyone else in the world. AL
though very young, with all the ire
mendous energy and enthusiasm o
. youth, he occupies the dignifiet
, position of secretary Of the inlant
, waterways committee.
Greatness Of Middle West.
. This region" MIR. Munger in
formed us, has one-third Of tn
country's area and population, pro
duces from one-half to seven
eighths of its principal staples, cot
ton and tobacco excepted. Tn
heart Of the continent provides III
. surplus Of wheat and other grain