New-York tribune., 1922-03-02
Miller Meets
Allen I'm Debate
On W aterwav
N. I. and Kansas Governors
Prescn, Their Views Be-
tore Rivers and Harbors
congress: No Decision
Former Asks Inquiry

Wants Opinion of Experts:
Western Man Lays Op.
position to Interests Here
WASHINGTON, March The bat
tie for and against the Great Lakes st
Lawrence ship canal project vas fought
Tor nearly three hours to-dav in = de-
bate before the National Rivers and
Harbors Congress between Governors
ef two statcs- Henry j. Alien. OF Kan
sas' and Nathan L. Miller. Of New York.
Governor Allen, aided by IL. II. Mer-
rick OF Chicago, former president Of
the Mississippi Valley Association.
championcd the project, while Gov
ernor Miller took tho negative side.
AS the battle Narcd from side 20 side,
with serious and humorous thrusts
and parties. the warriors we're cnccrcd
pparently with impartantv. There
vas 10 decision, both Governors agree
inG at the end that Congress would
become the final arbitcr in its action
on the international commissions rec
concentrations for construction Of the
project.
The cry Of "soctionalism" carly was
brought into the JOINT debate Of the
Governors, "ho were brought together
on the rostrum after recent newspaper
exchanges between them. Governor
Allen and Mr.. Mcrrick attributed New
York opposition to The st, Lawrence
project to dcsirc to protect the in
terests Of New YORK iIarbor and state
and the New York barge Canal Gov
crnor Miller denied anda decricd ecc-
tlonaIsm. Dec laring he spoke from
the national viewpoint, he marshallcd
arguments against proceeding with the
PROJECT until after thorough invcsti-
gat!on had been made BY experts and
the project examined from all angles
Appeal for Middle West
Governor Allen stressed the "tlac-
edy of trans sportation" from which, he
declared. the Middle West had suffered
The proposed canal, be said, would
oring ocean going vessels 20 the lake
ports, aiding the transportation short
age OF eighteen Middle Western states.
Besides, he added, power Development
of the project would give great power
supplloa 70 the Eastern states, and the
whole project, ne argued. could be
financed and paid FOR within fifty Years
from the power receipts.
Governor Miller emphasized the cost
OF the project and branded tho inter
national commissions favorable report
as IS "superhcial' and ono OF utter
"orthlesaness' The cost, he added.
would greatly exceed the estimate Of
$3.50 100000, aud he declared that the
project ought not to proceed without
further exhaustive Investigations
Cost Of tho project figured largely
throughout the debate. In conclusion
Governor Allen dcclarcd
"lt isn't a question Of cost, but It's
question % giving to 43.O00000
Americans Of the Middle West the use
OF this perfectly possible cntcrpriso.'
Miller Urges Commission
Governor Miller had tic last word
and declared that he and Governor
Allen, after all, we're very close to-
gcthcr."
Replying to Governor Aliens dec.
lsration that Congress should create
commission TO "check up" the intcrna-
tional commlsslon's recommendations
and determinations upon the "mcthod"
Miller urged chat an impartial and OK
pert commission be Authorized and
ended tho fvay with the statement
that if it is demonstrated that this
project is feasible / pledge my support
20 it, no matter what it costs
Governor Allen and Mr. Mcrrick
opened the joint debate. Governor Mil
Ter occupied an intermediate interval
and after the Kansas Governor had
seven minutes to reply to Governor
Miller the latter had an equal period
to cloto in fnsl rebuttal
Governor Allen appealed TO tho Gin
an ism !, =,
the results Of the ship canal. toccthcr
with its power development plans Tho
canal, ne said would bring ihc Middle
West 1.2G0 miles nearer the Atlantic
and enable direct, through shipments
TO European ports. lie declared that
arguments against the canal. because
Of ice, weather and other difficulties.
applied with equal force to the New
! ork Barge Canal. Construction OF
only thirty-three miles of canal &C.
tualy was required. he contended. and
not 1880 miles a5 contonded hy opDo-
ncnts.
Should Not Count Cost
Governor Miller said that the lake
channels were too shallow TO admit
passage of oceangcine ships and would
have TO be decpencd at extra expense.
NOS now contemplated After his re.
cital Of obstacles Governor Miller So i'd
II agree with Governor Allen that il
1t will do what he believes it will do
we should not count the cost VIC
should find out whether the method is
practical and results feasible and then
decide whether 10 go ahead"
Governor Miller also emphasized the
existence Of trade agencies Mt New
York. and questioned whether thew
could be redistributcd He disclai,ood
offering the state Barge Canal as a
substitute for the St. Lawrence nroicc,.