The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1922-01-24
New York Dodges Issue.

NEW YORK, if its newspapers are the States
IN voice, expressing surprise, because
John Barrett says, THE West doesn't love
New York" Mr.. Barrett's observation was prompted
particularly because OF the controversy between
the West and New York the Great Lakes-St.
Lawrence waterway project, which is before
Congress.
The Vests attitude does not have its basis in
New York's opposition to the ST. Lawrence PROPOSE
ton. 1t is as to the manner of that opposition. 1t
isn't because New York has challenged the PROPOSE
ton. 1t is because New York has not challenged
it New York has only inveighed against it.
New York has spoken through its legislature
in the resolutions OF March 10, 1920:
The St. Lawrence route would be dctri-
mental to the interests OF the New York
barge canal, the commerce OF New York State
and Americas trade supremacy and
would divert the commerce OF the Great Lakes
from its natural course, cause great confusion
to established business, and result in irreparablc
injury 10 the State OF New York, its ports and
business interests
Again, from Mr.. Kings1ey's address to the
Chamber of Commerce, November ,, 1921:
An extremely dangerous movement-that
IS the proposal to canaze the St. Lawrence
Rver-the movement has grown to very great
proportions in the West and is very power
fully organized and must sooner or later be
met This chamber opposes the project not
because If would take anything from New York.
Again. from the report of the committee on
political reform, Union League Club, December
8, I9eI=
Nor it this plan a distant possibility. On
the contrary, the danger is impending
the plan will not only cost New York the loss
OF part OF its great commerce . . but
compel its citizens TO pay a large tax
Again. Mr. William Fellowes Morgan to the
Merchants Association, January ?, 1922: "In any
event the construction of the canal could not fail
10 injurr the Erie Canal system and the Port OF
New York"
Again, John D. Dunlop chairman State Water
ways Commission, January 10, 1922: "A project
which practically means death to New York's
business The project would divert the trade from
the Middle West TO a foreign port and would
practically destroy the harbor of New York.
Danger to the port of New York, harm to New
Yo1, loss to New York, is the one note in all
these excerpts Consideration of the proposition is
absent Understanding of the needs of the West
is neither shown nor sought.
These bodies and organizations which speak
cfIcially for the State and for the commercial
Examinations represented by the newspapers
the voice of New York and are so regarded in
the West They breathe fear and fear only, need,
less fear mistaken fear, groundlcss fear but always
fear How can love for New York be nurturcd
in that atmosphere?
There is another human weakness which the
'Wcst loves even less. When Mr.. Kingsley ascribes
sinister motives 10 all the people who are back.
ing this project and assigns reasons which arc
obviously false it docs not make for affection be.
tween New York and the rest of the country
When the governor of New York talks about
"uteror purposes a suggestion which depends
upon prepostcrous invention, it docs not con.
tribute to good feeling. When State Engineer
Williams argues to the Merchants Association that
vessels must slow down to four miles an hour
the entire length of Lake Superior for fear Of
humping on bottom or damaging the banks BY the
wash IT does not induce respect. And love docs
not thrive and flourish in the absence of respect
When the New York delegation is called TO-
gether by the appeal, Scotch this snake" il is moi
agreeable \ Western people. When the Knicker.
booker press charscterizes this movement az q
steal, as the product of Canadian bunko virus
it is injurious When the New York Times calls
this movement monstrous proposition it is not
soothing
The cleavage between New York and the rest
o. the country is serious as Mr.. Barrett thinks
L IS situation which can be largely cured il
AsU York newspapers insist upon an honest
Straightforward and thorough discussion of tb;.
proposition on its merits with that reasonable de-
gee o. humility which is the best soil for the
onlys;son Of the affections.
We suggest to the New York press an examina
tSn o. the St Lawrence proposition as a con:
tzc=sal Improvement for the benefit of that prea,
Ss=ctch OF territory which lies between the Alle.
sfen;es and the Rocky Mountains
The General Staff.