Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-02-05

NOW tAat the message from tIle
throne. as King Georges message TO
the Canadian Parliament is called. has
been read, opening the sessions OF that
body. the St. Lawrence waterway prof.
ect becomes a live question. The
gigantic undertaking rests with the
Canadian lawmakers. because Ameri-
can and Canadian engineers and
economists have given their approval.
through the State Department has
communicated its Endorsement.
A great governmental project. like all
Gaul. is divided into three parts. the
engineering. the economic and the po-
litical. While it might not be exactly
accurate TO say that the last named
Is the most important. 1t is true that
it is the controlling factor. II is
necessary for engineers 10 study care
fully from all angles and in great
detail the methods and costs Of con-
struction and for economists by their
Investigations to determine the FEAST
bility and economic soundness of the
project, but ii remains for the poll
ticianS to say. Yes, 60 ahead" and
TO vote the money to put men and
equipment 10 work
Political winds may blow in any
direction. and II is interesting TO see
whether this one viii give momentum
TO the long investigated and long-de-
bated shipway from the Great Lakes
TO the Atlantic Ocean.
The subject may be brought UP in
replies TO the speech from the throne.
which are given for O limited period
OF time: 1t may be submitted as a
resolution. or It may be sent In by
the administration II ii is sufficiently
enthusiastic. Then will follow debates
and ultimately the decision to accept
or reject.
There are powerful factions on both
sides of the question. The Province
of Ontario Is eager 10 have the water
way an accomplished fact, whereas, In
the past. the Province OF Quebec has
been opposed 70 its construction. Rumor
has II that Quebec's objections. which
are three In number, have been re-
moved. First. the province was fear
full OF power exploitation. because Que
bee Is famed for its cheap power,
which has attracted millions OF dollars
In capital for industries located there;
second. 1t feared a heavy financial bur
den. and third. 1t did not want that
section OF the ST. Lawrence River
which flows through the province TO
be internationaiiRed, Quebec feared
that the benefit which the enterprise
would bring 10 some distant farmer
might subject 1t 10 exploitation. 10
onerous debts and TO loss OF some
Of It's natural advantages.
History Of the Project
A brief review of the history OF the
proposed shipway linking the Great
Lakes and the Atlantic Ocean demon
strates that there has been no undue
haste in the matter and that the engi-
neering and economic phases of the
problem have been thoroughly studied
Other routes which would link fresh
and salt water have also been proposed
and investigated. One suggested route
which has been given much attention
Is that connecting these great bodies OF
water via the Hudson River. Oneida
Lake and Oswego and. according Ia
the Army engineers. Is the shorter. but
more costly.
The St Lawrence route concerns that
section Of the river lying between Lake
Ontario and Montreal There the river
is slow moving and lakelike except Tor
| a succession Of rapids and swift water
extending for 10 miles at the interna-
tional border. and n number Of inter-
vening rapids and swift currents, which
make adaptation to navigation and the
development OF hydroelectric power
practical The dams necessary for the
development OF power would create
| pools instead Of the present series OF
rapids. and with supplement 1ry locks
and short canals would bccome the
sh!pway.
Ever since 1896 there has been inter
| eat in America In nhipway from the
Great Lakes 10 the sea Al that time
Congress authorized an examination
| and survey of various canal routes from
Lake Erie 10 Lake Ontario as the frat
| step, Numerous treaties have deter
mined and protected the rights Of the
two nations bordering on thrhc waters
which include flve large lakes and a
| river.
by the waterways treaty Of 1909 the
international Joint Commission was
created Ia have Jurisdiction over all
cases involving the USE or obstruction
or diversion Of waters forming or cross"
| ing the international boundary between
| The United States and Canada.
In 1910 Congreha requested this COM
| mission 10 study means Ut improving
the ST. Lawrence River IN make Il navi-
gable for ocean going ships. The report
| made IN 1922. recommended negoti"
atoms which would permit the two gov.
efnmenth 10 undertake an outlined
plan.
The Commissions Conclusions,
The United States st Lawrence Com
mishi0n was appointed III l024 by Pres
idenl Coolidge. with Herbert Hoover az
chairman. Ia give advice oh the detei-
opmsnt 0f Great Lakes Atlantic
Ocean hhipway Mi Hoover summarized
The commissions conclusions an f0llowa
The construction ~ the nhip9ap
from the IfenI IAkfh Ia the sea Is In