Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-05-18

railroads nave Deen SO recently ana
are, at the present time. a matter of
such vital Importance to US all that 1t
is unnecessary to dwell upon it, but
We must consider the possible effect
of the proposed waterway on these
railroads. With the bulk cargo. con-
sisting of grain. which constitutes
large portion of their eastern freight
and with coal. which constitutes so
large and valuable a portion Of their
western freight, also taken away. what
must be the result?
They would be expected to maintain
a maximum quipment and overhead
to take care of every possible emer-
gency for IL months in the year and
to use it only FIVE months. Is this
fair to our railroads who are already
struggling under burdens too heavy to
bear?
Hydro Electric FaIlacies
Realizing as proponents must that
the benefits of this waterway. if COM
pleted and used as projected, must Of
| necessity work injury to the seaboard
states and cities of our great nation,
| and realizing. therefore, that they
| could not expect the support of these
states on such a proposition. they
have added TO their original project
a hydraulic power proposition. which.
they felt sure, would attract the large
power users of both New England and
New York state.
They were correct, as far as New
England is concerned. This PROPOSE
ton has been made so attractive by
| the Incredibly low rates for power
| etc, suggested" that 1t has, in fact
caused many of the manufacturers
and power users Of New England to
| look favorably on this proposition
which would never have even received
consideration as originally conceived.
I am glad to note that many of our
most prominent hydraulic engineers
are now advising caution and careful
consideration and a clear thinking
through of the whole project. Who is
| to build the power line? Through
what medium is it to be handled
when built and what is known as to
| the actual amount that can be sold in
the territory proposed and what will
! the cost be? Mr. Hartman has
| stated that the receipts from the use
of power alone will be sufficient to
pay the entire cost of overhead, up
keep and interest charges on the
| whole waterway proposition. This
statement coming from Mr.. Harri-
man. an eastern man, must certainly
| be very satisfying to the proponents
! of the measure in the middle western
! states who will recognize therein a
Willingness on the part of the eastern
| states to bear the entire financial
| burden of the waterway project,
| thereby relieving them Of all res
| possibility and cost.
This would seem to answer a very
! troublesome question which has often
| been raised and which they have
never been able to answer satisfac-
| torily as to 'just how the expenses
! of this canal and waterway were to
| be met" as it was a recognized fact
that international law made it i'm
| possible to receive tolls from ships
using this waterway and would,
| therefore, call for other treatment.
l call attention to Section $3.50, of the
| compiled Statutes, 1918, of the United
| States, relative to United States
! Canals which reads as follows:
| Tolls on United States Canals Abo-
| shed Reconstruction of Works
Statement Of Expenoes-Panama
Canal Excepted
No tolls or operating charges what
| ever shall be levied upon or collected
! from any vessel. dredge or other wa
I ter craft for passing through any
| lake, canal, canalized river or other
works, for the use and benefit Of
navigation now belonging to the
United States or that may be,here-
after acquired or constructed.
1t seems manifestly unfair that the
original proposition, the Great Lakes
! st. Lawrence waterway project. which
as a waterway should stand entirely
| on it's merits. why they had, at a later
day and for very obvious reasons, this
| hydraulic proposition attached to it