New-York tribune., 1922-06-12
Chase Osborn
Suggests Canal
I'm Middle West
Michigan's Former Governor
Says Mississippi Route
Will Prove Much Better
Than ST. Lawrence Plan
Cites Trade Advantages
Author Tells Hughes and
Gov. Allen Short Way TO
Orient Will BE Opened

Former Governor Chase s. Osborn Of
Michigan has declared himself in oppo-
sition 70 the 81. LaVrerce Canal prof.
cct and In favor Of q Mississippi Val
Icy waterway in letters written recent
ly 70 Secretary Of State Hughes and
n Governor Henry J. Allen of Kansas,
Tho Tribune learned last night.
Osborn, who was friend Of Presi.
iess R9o-evcl, as vell as a noted 'rav-
eler and the author q number Of
books. Governor Of Michigan m 1911
and Miehigan's "favorite son" NJ the
time of the Republican Presidential
Convention in 1920. is the frs, promi-
ncnt Middle wcstcrner in public life
10 announce stand against the plan
10 give that section Of the country ac.
cess 70 Tho sea via the Great Lakes
and the s.. Lawrence River
Dlsadvantsges cited
His objection is based upon his be-
lief that for half the year such a canal
would be impossible. As reason for
advocating a Mississippi canal he said
such an undertaking would place the
Middle West in a position even more
advantageous than San Francisco's in
respect 20 trade with the Orient, Aus
tralia and South America.
Osborn's letter 60 Hughes said:
Briefly, the canal most Of which will
be In foreign territory. cannot be used
for more than six months in the year.
On the other hand. the zone that will
be served by such n deep waterway can
be reached in shorter distances by a
canal from the lakes TO the Gulf Of
Mexico paralleling. or nearly so, the
Mississippi River: in other words, by
canalizing the Mississippi.
Questions Financing
This will create a channel from the
lakos "a the sea OF shorter distance,
all-vear navigation. and with partieu-
lar values in relation 20 South Amer
lea. n IL transpired that IL were ad-
visable coastal canal tapping the
Mississippi River above New Orleans
could connect the Atlantic seaboard
in an advantageous manner.
In his letter 20 Governor Allen, Who
rs prominent supporter OF the -.
Lawrence scheme. debated It's merits
recently with Governor Miller, Mr. Os-
horn said: "l. seems 10 me 20 be
fact tha, The great hunger 70 get 70
tho sea has bewildcred US as 20 the
way Of getting there. or may do 80.
Certain coastal canals will do every
thing Of certainty that We dream OF
achieving by going through Oanad'
and many times more,
II assume that the country is not y
a position financially 70 engage u
grcat expenditure az the moment
When we do begin TO build canals W
should start upon uniform system
All the tributaries Of the MISSISSIPPI
could be canalized. lt might even o.
feasible. II desired. 20 connect Dulut'
BY way Of St. Paul in this manner. ln'
Great Lakes could be tapped az th'
south end Of Lake Michigan
The American route would cost only
half as much as the Canadian route
Osborn added that the future trade
objective Of this country, South Amer
ica. would be better served by. th'
Mississippi canal. It would avoid th'
North Atlantic iceberg zone into whlch
the northern canal would empty h,
sa.d. The water power possibilities OF
,bc 81 Lawrence plan. which have been
Lais on, az an inducement for It's adop-
lion. are Of questionable value because
80 ,he,, ,omoteness from the markets
,ho former Governor coniended.
II am not interested IN any route ek =,
cent In SO FAR as join all Americans IN IN
tho hope that the best way eomportlhp
with The widest vision ana prae.'eA'
usefulness should be found he con-
eluded.