Free trader-journal and Ottawa fair dealer. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1920-1927, 1922-07-08
THE GREAT LAkEs-ro.ocEAN PROJECT.

On Te eth this paper called attention to the fact that the
G. awrnce river waterway project the advancement of which will
so largely influence work upon and demand for the completion OF
the Lakes to the Gulf project OF Illinois, receiving some CON
seraon the Canadian parliament and quoted the Canadan
prime minister stating that Canada regards the United States
as friendly neghbor douby linked together by common ideals
and economic interests and anxious TO do ITS part all future
projects of cooperation An Illinois commission INVESTIGATING con
dtons of first hand reports that from Niagara to loont sent
en that the delay OF the Canadian government ON the st Lawrence
seaway only temporary and that early will the start OF
international negotiations has been uncovered
Two Observation-Disclosures Falls and the Rapids of the ST
present keep the great lakes from transformation into
an finland Mediterranean giving the heart OF the continent direct
access to seaboard for agricultural and manufactured products
the former obstruction Canada IS now engaged IN her
new Weland canal cost OF $75oooooo deepening 1t from
depth of fourteen feet thirty feet Already over S25oooooo
have been expended the work The Weland canal it pointed
out an integral part the lakes the undertaking Finished
alone without the of the ST. Lawrence barrier would be
about useful half hair cut Engineers point ont that will
take three years complete the improvement OF the canal
How closely the northern lake district Che outlet for the great
northwest keeping track of this project can be gathered from the
following letter by this paper from Charles p Craig of
Duluth Mimi ycepresiden and executive director of the Great
Lakes St. Lawrence Tdewater Association:
To the Editor of the Free Trader Journal, Ottawa ILL.,
Dear Sir:
have read with agreeable concurrence your observations upon
Canada and the St Lawrence in issue OF June 27 1t
well considered statement of certain facts
You will be glad learn that the prime minister's statement
which you quoted likely to be the dominating thought OF the
ministry they together after their brief period OF
taxation following the adjournment of parliament.
Consideration Of the akestoocean route is settled policy
Canada Cooperation with the United States habit that has
been growing fifty years The ministry iavora inclined and
believe that Canada is moving along the lines that your editorial
suggests.
To sentence your editorial dissent There are
grave doubts the ultimate end OF the proposition This pro
dictated by economic necessity If every in the United
States and in Canada decided today that this would
do would reappear necessary tomorrow the day
after If every urging this plan should today definitely
abandon it. would the fore within the few years
absolute necessity Nothing prevent the accomplishment of
this project If the United States turned its back upon it. Canada
would within the twenty years tackle ngehanded If Canada
refused to have anything do with it. the United States would with
i'll the next twenty years insist upon such concessions from Canada
that we might carry through the whole undertaking.
Looking back through the sixties that the
building of the Pacific railroads inevitable That had to be done
1t might have been accident that another the first
chosen that completion accomplished particular
ment but with hnsigh knowledge know fiat there no
doubt whatever that the Pacific roads be built about that
time This Improvement which will give oceangong commerce &C
to the Great Lakes which will give Illinois and these other
states their place upon the seaboard this improvement is
ter about which there can be any ultimate doubts.
There is question whether. The only question is when
The only question is whether be done time avoid the
transportation catastrophe which will surely befal within the
few years unless agencies can be created in time.
Very truly yours,