The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1924-02-28
Countrywide Opposition is
Rising to Drainage
Canal Project.
KENOSHA INTERESTED
Kenosha One of Cities which
Has Led in Opposition to Low
ering the Lake Level.

against the alleged lowering VI lahv
levels by the Chicago Drainage Canal
project is interested in a letter from
Harvey D. Goulder, general counsel
of the Lake Carriers association, to
Adam z. Cornelius, Buffalo, one Of the
large vessel operators on the lakes
in which it is alleged that the lower
ing of lake levels by the Chicago
Drainage Canal affects the entire
United States adversely because of
the Importance of cheap transporta-
tion to all sections of the country.
The letter alleges that the question
has grown beyond local interest and
is now nationwide in scope.
The utility of all ports on Lakes
Michigan, Huron, Erie and Ontario in
both the United States and Canada
has been lessened by the diversion Of
water through the Chicago drainage
canal, Mr.. Goulder says.
Copies of the Gculder letter and of
the. bill of complaint of Wisconsin in
its suit gainst the Chicago sanitary
district for illegal diversion of water
were supplied to ALI members of con-
gress Saturday by William Living
stone, president of the Lake Carriers
association, according to Washington
news dispatches.
Interest Is Wide.
Mr.. Goulder urged upon Mr.. Cor
nelius the necessity for realization
that the 10000 cubic feet second di-
version which Chicago is seeking to
realize is not alone the concern of
vessel owners and shipping interests
on the Great Lakes.
ELakes shipping interests have de-
veloped into great proportions requir-
ing hundreds of millions of dollars in
vestment and giving employment to
some 10000 men, but the whole evolu-
ton of the lakes has come about and
all of this done because of an exist
ing advantage to practically the whole
nation through the broad industrial,
agricultural and manufacturing in
terests dependent upon the : cheap
transportation afforded by this water
route"
, Importance of the diversion Of we
ter at Chicago to western New York
interests was pointed out in state
ment issued by Representative Clar-
ence MacGregor, Buffalo, upon receipt
Of the communication from the Lake
Carriers association.
Usurp Authority.
Regretting the apparent inactivity
of commercial and industrial interests
in that section in opposition to the
Sanitary districts usurpation of au-
thority," Mr.. MacGregor said:
''Not only would western New York
interests be adversely affected by a
lowering of lake levels If any one of
several efforts now under way to
make legal the diversion of this water
were to succeed but there also is the
question of power involved.
ST the Chicago sanitary district is
permitted to continue use of the pres
ent amount Of water that it takes it
will mean. that just SO much less water
can be used by American and Canadian
interests at Niagara and on the st.
Lawrence river for power purposes. II
Chicago's right to this water is con-
firmed 1t means that the sanitary dis
trict will be able to develop power at
a head of 20 to 80 feet, compared with
possible head of some 900 feet at
Niagara falls.
sSuch waste is not economically
warranted but unless New York state
business people begin to show an
interest in it and realize that this
whole question involves much more
than merely a slight to navigation on
the. Great Lakes, important as that is,
Chicago will get what she is after and
we will have to take what is left"
Lessons Port Utility.
Pointing out the effect upon all lake
ports sof the lowering lake levels by
the diversion of water at Chicago Mr..
Goulder says:
"The lowering of the level of all Of
these lakes by the acts of the defen-
the ports and of the waterway con-
Meeting the lakes, with the results
that in the conduct of transportation
between Wisconsin ports and the
ports In other states the possible load
ing Of vessels bound to or from such
ports is reduced by many tons for
each trip of each vessel"
Lake levels, he declared, have been
lowered half foot by Chicago's &C.
LlOn ana the PEopOSSl 10 erect IeUleu-
ial works TO restore. and maintain
lake levels is said to be doubtful
experiment"
Mr.. Goulder al % declares that Chi
cage has a remedy in the erection of
sewage disposal plants and that it's
claim that 10000 cubic feet of water
are needed for the proposed nine-foot
channel from the lakes to the gulf Is
a fallacy, as 1000 feet second would
take, care of the navigation needs.
Chicago's fight to legalize diversion
of water through the drainage canal
to the serious damage of Great Lakes
ports and navigation interests by low
ering Of lake levels is gradually being
forced out into the open and the yari-
GUS subterfuges adopted to confuse
the real issue are being abandoned,
according to William George Bruce,
president of the Great Lakes Harbor
association and chairman Of the Mil
waukee harbor commission.