Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-12-31
Chicago Expected to Renew
Row Over Water I'm Congress

Although Charles z. Hughes, as spe-
cial master, has reported in favor OF
the States which complain Of the d.
version from the Great Lakes Of an
excessive amount of water, there is a
strong opinion that the City of Chi
cago viii seek more favorable condi-
lions through an appeal to Congress
for action. The decision requires ma
terial reduction in the amount Of water
used within q period Of years.
On the main question the Chicago
Daily Tribune states: Chicago is or
dered to complete its sewage disposal
works IN nine years at a cost of $176,-
O0O, 600. The court is to retain juris-
oiction over the matter indefinitely.
Mr.: Hughes leaves no doubt that It is
within the power OF Congress to author
lie greater diversions for the service of
the Lakes-to-Gulf waterway than are
specified in the decree for maintaining
navigation in the Chicago River. .
The cost Of building the treatment
plants Is going to be q heavy burden
upon the taxpayers at best; If graft
and Incompetence are allowed to add
their percentages to the total bill, the
load may prove q crushing one" The
Tribune points to the necessity that
sanitary district board, and argues !:
The whole case against Chicago and
the Lakes-to-Gulf waterway Is based
on the premise that lowered lake levels
have interfered with shipping. The
facts, Of course, are starkly opposed to
this line Of argument. The levels are
not low; they are unduly high. They
have seldom been higher"
In reply to this contention, the In
dianapolis News points out that "in the
a a. ~ H.
tataon, the stage of all the Great Lakes
has been higher than in a long period, :"
and that 1T was recognized that this
condition might be only temporary;
that, In any case, the natural resource
was being kept from its maximum as
carrying route for ships of deep
draught." The News concludes that
'the opinion of laymen is likely to be
that Mr.. Hughes has performed q dim
cult duty in q wise fashion, both from
the standpoint Of public policy and the
law"
1T is true" adds the Toledo Blade,
that Lake Erie levels were abncrmally
high during the navigation season just
closed, and that shore property was
damaged by high water 1t is likewise
true that, two years ago, Lake Erie
levels were so low that navigation was
hampered seriously and many ships
were grounded. The Hughes decision
is based, evidently, on average lake
level conditions. which is exactly as it
should be-" The Kalamazoo Gazette
believes that "in the end, it is quite
probable that Chicago will recognize
itself as the chief beneficiary of the
program now recommended for enforce
ment." That paper also takes the posi-
ton that the Illinois metropolis will
have plenty of time In which to build
a sound, adequate sewage disposal sys-
tem-one which would be based upon a
principle far more modern than that
Of flushing waste matter into other
peoples territory"
Chicago is too big and progressive"
according to the Lexington Leader, Ito
go on injuring the varied and important
interests jeopardized by such heavy di-
version, and at the same time pollut-
ing important streams when sewage can
be completely disposed Of by scientific
methods of treatment and without in
jury to any one" The Beloit Daily
News asks, why has 1t taken so long