Omaha daily bee., 1921-07-30
By VICTOR B. SMITH.


Lakes to the ocean and as source OF hydro
electric power, the question Of interest is:
What steps must be taken to accomplish
such result?
As the situation stands today the ground has
been plowed but the seed has not yet been
sown; preliminary surveys have been made and
public interest has been attracted to consider
able degree, but the order to go ahead has not
been given.
The St. Lawrence river, for some distance
below Lake Ontario. is the boundary line be-
tween the United States and Canada. For a
longer distance it lies entirely in Canada. The
rapids which furnish an obstacle to navigation,
and at the same time afford the opportunity for
power Development lie partly in the hnterna-
tional section and partly in the Canadian sec
ton. By treaty signed in 1909, the whole chan
mel is under the control of the International
Joint commission, composed of representatives
of the United States and Canada in equal num-
bers
First official action on the ST. Lawrence
project was taken in March, 1919, when the
river and harbor act passed by congress con.
tanned an item requesting the international
report to the two governments. That investiga-
ton has been made The engineering survey
was directed by Col. w. P. Wooten of the
United States army engineers and w. A. Bow
den of the engineering staff OF the Dominion
of Canada. Roy S. MacElwee and Alfred H.
volvcd.
The International Joint commission now is
reviewing these reports and is expected to make
its recommendation to the respective govern
ments within three months. Assuming that this
is favorable-and no doubt is expressed but that
it will be-the next step is winning the assent
of the two governments and mapping out
method Of procedure.
Two courses are open. The American secre-
tary of state and the British foreign Office may
negotiate treaty which, when approved by the
American senate, will set up the machinery for
gress may pass legislation outlining the pro-
gram, to be effective only in case Canada enacts
identical legislation.
Whichever plan is to be followed, the settle
ment will rest undoubtedly with public senti-
Inent. Will the people tell their congressman
that they want this done?
Fifteen western states have organized volun-
tarily to support the project-Ohio, Michigan,
Iowa. North Dakota, Montana, Indiana, Wis
consn, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wyoming,
Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, Colorado, Idaho.
OF these, Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota
to offer effective support The last Nebraska
legislature passed resolution urging congress
sional action.
From away down in Louisiana there comes
support. Louisiana has no direct interest but
that state remembers still the aid given by
to open the Mississippi as an outlet to the Gulf
of Mexico and the Atlantic ocean. In return
Louisiana, as represented by its United States
senator's and governor and its principal cham
bers of commerce, is supporting the St. Law
renee project.
There will be opposition. New England
manufacturers are swinging into line for the de-
velopne1lt; they have been attracted by the
promise of electric power. But New England
ports are opposed because of the prospective
loss of commerce. Important interests in New
York City likewise have indicated their oppo-
siton, for that city, already grown so great as
a transportation center that its congestion bur-
dens the entire nation, dislil<es to have its
1nonopolistic grip broken even little bit. In
Canada. Montreal occupies somewhat the same
position
Some Of the opposition may disappear A
number of very able men in the east have been
converted to the movement President Todd of
the Bangor & Aroostook railroad, solely New
England institution voiced their sentiment when
he said: What is good for the country is good
for New England and what is good for New
England is good for the railroads OF New Eng
land. We can not afford to be too selfish in
this matter; we must look bit beyond the end
of our nose"
In this connection certain railroad presi-
dent told story of his own activity. He feared
that his directors, who represented New York
banks, would not approve of his lending his
name to the movement. He asked them. The
answer came back: "We understand that New
York is opposed. But we are national bankers.
Our interests are not limited to New York. The
national interest is bigger than that of New
York. Go ahead"
The opposition, however, will not lie down
1t will be active, we'll financed and we'll directed.
The thing which will squelch it effectively and
quickly is evidence of an overwhelming sentiment
on the other side. 1t will take from six to eight
years to build the dams, the canals, the electric
power stations and the distribution lines. The
quicker it is started, the it will be done.
The greater the support given now, the quicker
the start.
In the opinion of those who have studied the
situation, the Lakes-to- Ocean waterway means
tremendous saving OF transportation costs to
farmers and other producers OF the middle west.
Based on a cut of from to 10 cents bushel
which would come back" to the farmer in
higher price at the farm-the saving amounts to
over 40O,00O,00O a year, as estimated by Julius
Barnes. If only half Of that were actually
achieved. the saving still is over S200,000000.
The whole cost Of the project, at present prices
development also means the eventual generation
Of 1000 ,000-horsepower Of hydro-eeetric energy,
available to eastern manufacturing centers at
less than half cent per kilowatt- hour.
That Is the stake. 1t is big stake. 1t is
worth fighting for. Those who favor it should
make their attitude known to their congress
men. Those who do not favor it should investi-
gate it. 1t will bear investigation. The number
OF those who have been doubling Thomasas
and who have been convinced is large, and
growing every day.
As the Pulpit Cools Down.
A St. Louis pastor will preach next Sunday
evening on "A Cool Breeze" with a bouquet
frozen in ice on a pedestal at his side How far
we have departed from the "hell-hre and brim-