Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-03-23
Great Lakes to
Ocean Waterway
Presents Problems

Washington, Mar. 22-(AP)-At-
tempts to draft a comprehensive
waterways system linking the Great
Lakes with the Atlantic ocean and
the Gulf of Mexico have brought
about a three-cornered situation in
congress among the interests involv-
ed.
Its knotty problems must be
thrashed out by the house rivers and
harbors committee this week If action
is to be had on a complete program
at this session.
The patents involved include the
city of Chicago, the lower Mississippi
river states and the northeastern
states. which are debating among
themselves whether action on tehir
individual interests will receive best
treatment in comprehensive pro-
gram.
Chairman Dempsey of the commit
tee said in the house today that ac-
ton by his group would be taken be-
fore March 80, which is the last day
set aside by house leaders for con-
sideration of legislation from his
committee.
Representative Mapes, Republican,
Michigan, asked Mr.. Dempsey today
ate legislation affecting the Cape Cod
canal, intercoastal canal, all-Ameri-
can canal, the Missouri river de-
velopment and the Chicago Drainage
question. The chairman replied it
would be improper" for him to fore
cast the committees action but he
assured Representative Garner,
Democrat, Texas, that bill would be
ready in time for action.
Mr.. Dempsey said privately today
he favored a nine foot drainage ca
nal in the Illinois river, purchase and
development of the Cape Cod canal.
government development of the all
American canal from Lake Ontario
via the Hudson River. and the inter-
coastal canal.
The developments, outside of con-
gress are expected to play big part
in. the program. Army engineers are
completing their report on the all
American canal survey and are eX-
pected to submit it to the house We'd
nesday.
The rivers and harbors committee
has definitely approved only $4,000
600 urgency projects of 100000
1t expects ito incorporate by the end
of the week.
Mr.. Dempsey in an interview esti-
mated that approval and completion
of the major projects would extend
coastwise shipping laws more than
5000 miles inland. He endorsed a
recent statement by Secretary Hoov-
er that the two waterways develop
ments most needed are completion
of deep chanel projects in the Missis-
sippi river and water outlet from
the Great Lakes to the Atlantic
With the western Great Lakes Sec
ton insistent on deepening the st.
Lawrence river to provide a 80 foot
channel to the sea, instead of % foot
all American canal, observers say
concessions by both sides may be
the only effective solution. This, it,
is pointed out that the east looks
with favor upon any proposal to al
low sufficient diversion from Lake
Michigan to supply the needs of a
Chicago sanitary district.
Proponents of the New York canal
plan press the point that no federal
expenditures will be required for at
least two or three years. 1t will first
be necessary, Mr.. Dempsey said to-
day, for the state legislature to
amend the constitution to enact q
law ceding the present barge canal to
the government. In addition, he add
ed, it will take at least two years for
army engineers to complete their
surveys of the proposed route.