Evening star., 1922-03-02

Continued from First P&geD
Ruge of Apa lachicola, Fla, chairman
of the Florida state canal commission.
and A. 3. Shepherd of Pittsburgh.
1.-THE cheapest way to move freight
is to fioa. it, declared Mr.. Rure, who
detailed plans for canal from the
Cumberland sound to the Mississippi
triver.
Reports of field secretaries and va
rious committees constitute the final
business session. in progress this after
noon officers are to be elected.
Tonight at 7:30 O'Clock the conven-
ton will close with banquet at the
Willard. with Vice President Coolidge
presiding. Speakers are to be the min
/ lister of CZechoslovakia, julius Klein,
Senator Duncan II. Fletcher. Mrs. Ed
ward p. Costigan and J. Adam Bede.
Governors Debate Canal.
A three-hour debate between Gov.
Henry J. Allen of Kansas and Gov.
Nathan L. Miller of New York on the
great lakes-St Lawrence ship canal
project featured the session yesterday
afternoon of the National Rivers and
Harbors Congress.
There was no decision. both govern
ors at the end of the verbal battle
tndl WOul0 pecOIc q
the final judge in its action on the
international commissions recon-
mendations for construction of the
project. The opponents shook hands
and exchanged congra tuIations.
/ Gov. Allen, aided by H. II. Merricz
Mississippi Valley Association. cham
pioned the project, and Gov. Miller
J took the negative.
| Gov. Allen and Mr.. Merrick said the
: opposition to the st. Lawrence prof.
ect was inspired by a desire to protect
state and the New York barge canal
Gov. Miller Denies Charge.
Gov. Miller denied this, decryin-
sectionalism. Speaking. he said, from
a national standpoint. he argued
against continuation Of the project
until after thorough investigation
had been made by experts and the
project examined from all angles.
Gov. Allen stressed the tragedy of
transportation from which, ne declared.
the middle west had suffered The pro-
posed canal, he said, would bring
ocean-going vessels to the lake ports.
aiding the transportation shortage of
eighteen middle western states Be-
sides, he added. power development of
the project would give great power sup
plies to the eastern states. and the whole
project. he argued, could be financed and
pald Tor WITHIN nifty years from the
power receipts
Gov. Miller emphasized the cost of the
project, and branded the international
commissions favorable report as super
ficial' and one of utter worthlessness %
The cost, he added, would greatly exceed
. the estimate Of S250,000,00 and he de-
clared that the project ought not to
proceed without further exhaustive in
Gov, Aliens ADpeal.
Cost of the project figured largely
throughout the debate. In conclusion,
Gov. Allen declared:
ut isn't a question of cost, but it's a
question of giving to 100000 Amer
leans Of the middle west the use of this
perfectly possible enterprise"
Gov. Miller had the last word and de-
clared that he and Gov. Alien after all
were very close together" Replying to
Gov. Aliens declaration that Congress
should create a commission to check
up" the International commissions rec
concentrations and determine upon the
method" of constructing the project,
Gov. Miller urged that an impartial and
expert commission be authorized. and
ended the fray with the statement that
IF it is demonstrated that this project
is feasible, 1 pledge my support to it no
matter what it costs