South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-06-05


he nations chief seaport
The Middle West asserts thar New
York City u.s. New York City natur-
ally resents the charge she at
tributes IL 10 propaganda in support
u the Great Lakes-St- Lawrence
waterway project. which he Middle
West considers essential 10 the fu-
ture development and prosperity OF
hat great agricultural and Industrial
region west OF the Alleshenies.
Not only New York City but all OF
New York state IS raising a rumpus
OF opposition 90 the proposed water
vay development. New Workers
are clashing with Middle Westerners
over 10 IN Congress. Governor Miller
O: New York says 70 is impracticabie
and impossible Senators hike Nc
Kinley OF Illinois and Pomerene Of
Ohio declare that Gov Miller either
doesn't know what ne IS talking
about or Is afraid that big lake cities
like Chicago. Cleveland and Detroit
are likely 70 deprive New York City
OF much Of her commercial SUI
premacy II the proposed Great
I.akes-St. Lawrence water route pro-
vides the Middle West with a great
outlet 10 the markets Of the world.
The fight over the project in Con
gress Is going 10 be a hot one, but
the Middle Westerners. supported
BY tho Agricultural Bloc" appear
10 have better chances Of winning
out than do the New Workers. even
with their expected New England
backing
Think what 10 will mean 20 have
the Atlantic ocean brought 20 the
door OF the great agricultural and in
dustrial centers OF the Middle
West" said Sen. Pomerene. IL
is true that very large vessels will
not enter the proposed waterway.
but they are not expected to do so.
II should be kept IN mind that 20
per cent OF the worlds commerce is
carried aboard vessels OF 5000 tons
or less"
Great Canal Proposed.
The project involves the canaliza-
tion OF the St. Lawrence river from
Montreal 10 Lake Ontario. which f.
Is urged by its supporters. would
permit ocean-going vessels 10 go
from one end Of the river 20 the
otner-with some needed dredging
here and there-and through tho
Great Lakes even up 70 the head
waters Of Lake superior
Chicago. Cleveland and Detroit
would thus become sea as well as
lake ports.
New Workers raise as one objec-
ton TO the project the suspension Of
traffic in the St Lawrence for FIVE
winter months each year because of
ice and fog
They forget that the ocean traf-
nc of Montreal is tied up in this way
every year" said Sen. Pomerene.
and yet II is greater annually than
that OF any Atlantic port Of the
United States except that Of New
York City
They forget. too. that the lake
traffic IS substantially suspended
during the winter months. but thai
lake commerce has become so exten-
sive that 100. 900 tones pass
through the Detroit river annually.
They also forget that the great
est congestion in rail traffic occurs
during the seven months when
neither ice nor fog would interfere
with the Great Lakes-St Lawrence
route"
Sen. Pomerene said that the
100. 900. 900 tonnage of the Great
lakes traffic IS nearly eleven times
as much as passes through the Suez
canal and almost twelve times as
much as passes through the Panama
canal He pointed out that the coet
OF aH-rail traffic, as compared with
all-water traffic. IS estimated at
from Eve or six 70 one. Hence the
country's vast railroad interests,
which are already waging an I'M
ceasing battle in Congress against
free Panama canal tolls for Amerl-
can coastwise vessels. ere reported
to be lining up I'm the congressional
lcbbies against the proposal 10 give
the Middle West the right TO dodge
high rail rates by shipping It's pro-
ducts direct through the Great Lakes
and the ST. Lawrence 20 the sea
Economical Side Covered.
But the economical side OF the
problem ia one that is appealing %
an increasing number of members Of
Congress.
Forty-two millions of the Ameri-
can people are found IN the states
directly tributary 10 the Great
Iakes-St. Lawrence route. accord
ing 90 statistics compiled by Sen
Pomerene
The aggregate value OF all the
farm property within this large and
rich territory Is SIS per cent OF the
total In the United States
In this territory are produced 2;
per cent Of the wheat. SIS per cent OF
the corn. 100 per cent Of the fax. So
per cent OF the iron. 40 per cent OF
the copper. As per cent OF the lead
and IS per cent OF the zinc I'm the
United States
Out OF 2.97S. 500 square miles al
land surface IN the United State
f252.S45 square miles. OF Ais pei
cent q the total. lie in this area
where the value OF farm land.
alone IS estimated at S4s.S1s. 331 900
II embraces. TOO. many 81 the coun.
try's great manufacturing industries
such as those producing agriculture
implements. automobiles. rubbe
eoods and an INFINITE variety o.
neat. iron. steel. paper and furni
-ure products.
1T Is estimated that the averag,
saving on grain alone by transport
Ing II through an all-water route
from the Middle West would be from
eight IN ter cents a bushel on al
Grain exported. a. compared Wit
Indiana Su