The Powder River County examiner and the Broadus independent. [volume] (Broadus, Mont.) 1919-1935, 1922-06-16
BENEFITS.
BY WILLIAM b. MCKINLEY.

Editors NOte.-Senator william b.
Mckinley of Illinois, d member Of the
senate committee on appropriate MS,
has taken q great interest in the pro-
posed opening OF the st. Lawrence
river to ocean traffic. Through that
interest he has made extensive inves-
LEGATIONS into every angle Of the pcs
sibilities. cost. labor. benefits to all
classes. devel opment Of new power ct
cetera. His article will impress you
with the greatness the project, per-
hasp may make you an enthusiastic
supporter of the move.
Briefly. the advocates Of the st.
Lawrence seaway propose to improve
the channel Of that river between ] AXE
Ontario and Montreal to a depth Of 30
feet, SO that lake carriers can reach
Montreal. and ocean freighters can en-
ter and depart from the Great Lakes,
using the Welland canal between Lake
Erie and Lake Ontario. and the other
connecting channels to Lake Huron.
Lake Michigan and Lake Superior.
They ask that the plans recommend
ed by the international board of engi-
neers and approved by the interna-
tional joint commission be carried out
under treaty between the United
States and Canada. and legislation by
congress and by parliament.
This plan contemplates afi dam in
the river between New York and On
tario. which will flood rapids and in
cidentally develop about 100000 hy-
dro-electric horse power to be shared
equally by the two countries: also
three canals aggregating 80 miles in
length. che of about eight miles stdc-
pass the dam, the second about fifteen
miles long to connect Lake s.. Louis
and Lake st. Francis which are part
Of the river in the Province Of Quebec
and the third of about ten miles
around the I.aChfne rapids near the
entrance tc. the harbor Of Mntreal. "a
Altogether these three canals will
have seven ticks. each $50 feet long,
80 feet wide. with 80 feet Of water on
the mitei sill. The canals will! be made
at least Is feet deep at once and deep
ened to 80 feet under the engineers
pillow. The estimated cost is s252.eHo.-
900 for the 25-foot depth. and SlS.00o.-
900 additional &c deepen the canal to
80 feet.
These three canals are in Canadian
territory, the one arouni the inter-
national dam being in Ontario ana the
other two in the province Of Quebec.
Beyond the 45th parallel the river Is
wholly within Canada where the Uni
ted States have nc riparian rights. and
therefore the water flow in that Sec
ton. estimated at 2.5O0.o00 horsepow-
er. is left untouched as a natural and
bountiful heritage of Canada TO be
developed in the future as her people
may determine.
Under a treaty made with Cheat
Britain in 1871. the United States were
granted the free, use Of the st. Law
renee river forever. and Canada was
given free use Of all the Great Lakes
and their connecting channels.
Canada Is now building at An ex-
pense of 100000 or more. new
Welland canal with a depth Of % feet
and locks Of 80 feet on the inter sill
This will be free to the vessels OF
the United States. as the cid one is
now.
The International Joint commission
recommends that the construction OF
this canal be horne in part by the
United States government. and that
the navigation cost Of the st. Law
renee be borne by the two govern.
ments in proportion to their use OF
the waterway. These are details to
be adjutsed by treaty or legislation.
The proponents Of the st. Lawrence
project claim that the power incident
ally developed will be sufficient to pay
the interest charge. upkeep. and ultt'
mately to lequidate the construction
bonds. whether the proceeds shall bt
used or not 10 q question fer congress-
They content that the annual saw
ing to producer and consumer through
cheaper transportation. will equa, Of
| exceed the total cost OF the project.
They feel that this development o.
the st. Lawrence would standards
waterways and save transfers just n
We did away with the narrow gauE'
BY standardisinx rail ways hlf cen
tury ago.
Thee are convinced that while tn
west will be greatly benefited by tn
st. Lawrence seaWay which will pro