, 1922-01-31
GETTING DOWN TO BUSINESS

THE president" notes the Chicago Tribune. "so
it is officially announced in Washington, has directed
Secretary Hughes to negotiate a treaty with Great
Britain under which the United States and Canada
can jointly undertake the building of a shipway from
.he lakes through the st. Lawrence river to the Allan
tic. That is getting down to business. 1t marks the
last step but one toward realization of the greatest
single project yet conceived for the upbuilding of the
material welfare of the middle west, and SO of the
nation.
Negotiation in this case is tantamount to compile
uon OF a treaty. 1t is merely a formal statement of
provisions which both parties will be glad to approve.
1t can virtually he accepted as Accommodated. The
only thing remaining to be done then will be congress
sional authorization of the Improvement. The discus
SION OF the treaty which must precede its ratification
ny the senate should be of value in educating both the
senators and the general public in the matter of ad-
vantages to the country at large to be derived from the
canal Congressional approval of the project and
provision for financing 1t should follow logically.
President Harding has revealed a true understand
ing OF his responsibilities in this matter. He has recog-
nized the proposed sea route from lake ports to the
markets of the world as a concrete benefit to the farm
ers, manufacturer, and consumers of a vast section of
the country. He has recognized that what is to the
material advantage Of such a vast section of the coun-
try must more or less directly prove of advantage to
the other sections. Just as depression and lack of
production throughout the great producing area Of the
middle west would necessarily result in the business de-
preston Of New York and other coast ports and re-
gions, so will prosperity and activity in this great in
terror area necessarily result in stimulating the pros
perity of the coast sections. The president is the chief
executive of the entire country, not of any section or
sections. His attitude in this matter proves his realiza-
ton of that point.
IF the business men. politicians, senators, and rep
resentatives of New York state have equal intelligence
and patriotism the thing will go through with a rush.
They have been and are the chief opponents of the
Improvement. That is shortsighted. New York and
all coast points want ships. Ships are vital to the
prosperity of such regions. It is accepted that we can
not develop an American merchant marine without a
subsidy. If we get the canal the interior will approve
a subsidy, because then we can use the ships. II we
do not get the canal, probably we will not approve the
subsidy and New York or other coast ports win not
have the ships. If we are one nation working to one
end we will get the canal, the subsidy, and the ships.
That VIII mean reasonable expectation Of prosperity
for all.
President Harding's action has revealed his appre-
citation of these facts. It is now up to New York and
other coast ports which have hitherto opposed the sea-
way to show similar intelligence. The greatest step
yet conceived for the material advancement of the
country will then be taken"