The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1921-06-04

W1(0d1,ODA fohoWlHS is a typical memorial from
SSe4gygllhzA the State of North Dakota, presented
NA by Senator Ladd:
AAE Whereas it is proposed to make
such improvement in the st. Lawrence
as to make the Great Lakes accessible to ocean
going commerce; and
"Whereas this Improvement, will in effect bring
the State of North Dakota hundreds of miles
nearer the worlds markets; and
whereas there are within the State great re-
sources that lie wholly undeveoped while the
production of all things is diminished or retarded
py uistance from markets; and
whereas because our producers and the
consuming public have alike suffered enormous
losses in the last year by transportation shortage
and failure; and
whereas because by reason of these conditions
the transportation situation constitutes an emerg-
ent need; and
whereas a number of States have Joined
IN the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Tidewater As
soclatlon, having as its object the early undertak-
ing and completion of this Improvement: There
fore be it
RESOLVED by the Senate and House of Repre-
sentatves OF the State of North Dakota, that the
State OF North Dakota is properly associated in
the aDovenamed organization with its neighbor-
ing Commonwealth in pressing to advance this
undertaking, and that the action of the governor
IN 50 declaring is hereby approved and confirmed
ana the participation of this State by the governor
and those who represent him in the council of
these States is approved;
RESOLVED, that the representatives of this
State in the Congress of the United States be
requested to facilitate and expedite in every pos
siDie way the prosecution of this undertaking for
the economic freedom of a landlocked continent "
The Great Lakes st. Lawrence Tidewater associ.
alton is voluntary association of IA member
states including Wisconsin, Minnesota Michigan
Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Iowa, North Dakota, South
Dakota, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado and
Neornska The first three of these states have
aided the movement through state commissions
created by their respective legislatures. These
states are today in voluntary cooperative eff
Tort attempting to impress the nation and con-
gress with the urgent need of adequate transpor-
tation facilities at reduced rates to be proyided
ways. ' ''''|'i''
The Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Tidewater proi
ect has been discussed for several years. Prog
ress was interrupted in 1914 by the World war
March 2, 1919, Senator Lenroot of Wisconsin
had incorporated into the rivers and harbors act
provision requesting the International Joint COM
MISSION TO investigate what further improve
ment OF the St Lawrence river, between Montreal
and Lake Ontario, is necessary to make the same
navigable for ocean-gong vessels together with
the estimated cost thereof and report to the gov
ernment of the Dominion of Canada and to the
congress Of the United States, with its recon-
mendations, for cooperation by the United States
with the Dominion of Canada in the improvement
of said river"
the two governments have been for some time
engaged in the making of surveys and the prep
aration of plans and estimates for the information
OF the commission. The commission has been
holding series of public hearings, at which ma.
honal state, provincial, municipal, commercial
transportation, and other bodies interested have
presented their views to the desirablity or 9th
erwise of the suggested deep waterway and the
advantages and disadvantages of combining DOW
er development with the improvement of uaviga
On thp Law
Following will be found brief statment of the
main features of the project. The writer holds
NO brief for against it.
There are two phases to the project: One i.
the opening up of Great Lakes Tidewater trans
portation. The other is the establishment In con
nection with the work of great plants for tn,
generation of hydro-eectrical energy to be dis
tributed over radius of about 25O miles.
present the navigation and power projects ar.
being considered
The demand of the Middle West is for wate
transportation. This demand, in nutshell
that the Great Lakes be opened to the sea 10 tha
ocean-going craft drawing from 20 to 25 feet CA
steam from Duluth to the Atlantic and theme
along the seaboard of the western hemisphere q
across seas to the markets of Europe
The Middle West argues this way. The tneasur
of the country's productiveness depends in lare
measure upon the expeditions movement of il
enormous and growing volume of freight Thi
movement of freight is at present slowed I'M h
the congested condition of the railroads and east
terminals. Additional and supplements
means of distribution are necessary. In shor
the Middle West must be brought within touch n
the Atlantic seaboard without breakage of bull
delay and additional terminal charges
In this demand the Middle West" means tn
heart of the nation, with about one third of tn
territory population and wealth.
The Middle West holds that great and costl
though the enterprise may be, it is entirely feas
ible from tie standpoint of the engineer; tha