The Omaha morning bee., 1924-04-29
OmahdNhese theNest Is al its Best
LAKEs.ro.ocEAN WATERWAY.

I've years of active work on the great project
OF transforming into canals such portions of the St.
Lawrence river as Is necessary, and for n great
ystem Of blocks to connect Ontario with Erie, Is
summed up thus:
Mutual consideration of the engineering plans.
Concurrent consideration Of national policies.
Points of contact for the development of inter-
national policy.
This may not sound like much Of an achievement,
out it is put forward as the greatest progress
made by project of similar magnitude in the same
length of time Discussion at the outset naturally
was among those most vitality concerned. When
these were agreed on what should be done and how
to go about doing it, then the big job came on. 1t
was not alone the great inland empire, drained by
the Mississippi and its tributaries that had to be
Interested. The United States east Of the Ale
ghenies and the people west of the Rockies must be
converted to the great plan for bringing the Atlantic
ocean 500 miles further inland.
All the ports on both coasts were interested in
the matter and some of them imagined their inter-
ests were adversely affected. Atlantic coast ports
especially felt their prestige was in danger. II the
farm and other products of the great central valley
were to find an outlet to tidewater at the head of
navigation on the lakes what would become of
isting harbors?
Education was necessary, and now the report is
that New England is for the canal while along the
south Atlantic seaboard opposition is fast giving
way So, too. the west coast ports have come to
what the benefit will be to them. Especially
Oregon and Washington interested, for it will permit
their principal crop, lumber, to get into market
hat is hampered by Of high freight rates.
Consumers within 500 miles Of the Atlantic can
get water and rail rate that is better than the
direct all rail rate II the lumber is hauled by water
as far Chicago, Omaha and points west may
share in this advantage. So Oregon and Washington
in line for the ship canal up the st. Lawrence.
Canada had to be "soldo on the proposition, and
Montreal, the great gateway at which ocean-going
boats now halt, is set against the plan. Opposition
there has not been sufficient to check the action Of
the Canadian government. In 1919, under President
Wilson, international joint commission named
to investigate and report In April, 1920, the COM
mission undertook the work, and in November, 1921,
a hearing was had on the engineers report In De
cember, 1921, President Harding submitted the
port to congress- and declared the plan feasible
In May 1922, the matter taken up at Ottawa
on a note from the United States government, and
the Canadian authorities responded the time was
not ripe for proceeding In December, 1923, Presi-
dent Coolidge said to congress:
The time has to in moderate
way the improvement Of ths waterways de-
velopment from the Great Lakes toward the Gulf OF
Mexico and the development Of the great power and
navigation project OF the st. Lawrence river. for
which efforts being made TO the
necessary treaty with Canada Upon these prof.
ects depend much future industrial and agrcu
tural progress"
Canada is now ready to go along to the extent
Of appointing an engineering board Of review, to ex
anime plans and estimates already reported, and to
snswer such further questions may be submitted
Canada will also appoint a national committee TO
formulate national policy and program. The
United States already has similar committee.
On the showing so far, the progress Of the enter
prise seems such portends not only unusual ac-
tivty on part Of the agencies that promoting IT,
but success as well. What it means to the region It
will is beyond calculation. 1t will reduce the
cost Of transportation, and serve not only world
but domestic traffic as well. 1t means millions to
Nebraska in reduced freight rates. 1t means hun
dreds Of millions to the region drained by the
Mississippi.
Waters that now run Idly to the must be
brought into the service Of mankind. The Lakesto-
Ocean waterway Is one Of the plans for doing this.