The New York herald., 1922-01-02
CANAL IN ST. LAWRENCE
ATTACKED BY WILLIAMS
Points Out Economic Objec-
tions to Project.

Frank NJ Williams of Goshen, State
number OF Create Neio York. the off
cial organ of the Merchants Association
of New York, published to-day, attacks
the plan for American participation in
the canalization of the st. Lawrence
River to make an american Mediter-
rancan" of the Great Lakes. Mr.. Will
Jams believes that the cost would far ex-
ceed original estimates and that tho
channel by its very nature and because
of the climatic conditions surrounding
it cannot be made a successful ocean
transportation route. Mr.. Williams IN
his report says:
"rhe physical conditions of the st.
Lawrence constitute q stumbling block
which. from an economic standpoint.
would make that channels use by ocean
going vessls a remote possibility. Be
low st. Regis the river is wholly north
of the forty-fifth parallel north latitude.
where the winters are long and very Sc
we're. resulting In practically closing the
lower river for six months of the year.
"The estimate of cost made for the
st. Lawrence project, including the con-
struction of one power dam, calls for
the expenditure of s252.72S.200, one
half of this initial outlay to be borne by
the United States. On the other hand.
Hugh Cooper. the expert hydraulic en-
gineer who designed the Mississippi
lower dam at Keokuk. Iowa. has esti-
mated that the cost for the same work
would be 5000. 900, 900; while. IL all the
power. or the 1000, 900 horsepower that
the proponents OF the plan claim can
be generated incidental to the canals
construction. should be developed. he es-
Inmates the cost at $1,000. 100000. These
estimates do not include property dam
ages which certainly would be consider
able.
The question OF the practical naviga-
ton of the proposed canal by oceango-
ing vessels is an economic one that do
not believe has been answered in the
affirmative In any convincing manner.
An ocean freight vessel OF 10000 gross
tons costs about s1.500.000 to build. A
lake steamer Of the same tonnage costs
from s40o. 900 20 100000 to build. They
are two distinct types OF craft. built to
ne two distinct types OF navigation re-
uuirements. Can they be combined. and
IL so, will not the more severe require
ment necessarily have to govern
Because of our population and wealth
we would be taxed 10 pay rs per cent
Of the initial cash outlay for construct
ing the st. Lawrence Canal. At the
same time. power rights worth millions
OF dollars TO the people OF the state
of New York would be taken from us
on the theory OF financing the completed
project. and we would thus be placed
In the position OF having TO pay practi-
cally tho entire cost of an Improvement
i'm which we do not believe.
II maintain that the ST Lawrence
ship canal project shoui1 foe defeated. 1
can see no advantage whatever in the
United states entering into any agree
ment under which II will be the part
ner with another nation i'm constructing
q ship canal in the face of economic
objections which apply TO this one, the
greater portion of which will be located
in foreign territory. Even II the full
water power or the 100000 horse
power which the proponents of the ST.
Lawrence Canal say IL located in that
river is 10 be developed ] fail to see
what possible advantage II will be to the
United States"