Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-07-12
SETTLEMENT SEEN !.
/. ON CANAL Project.
Summer Discussions Planned
With Canada to Speed
st. Lawrence Work

Discussions looking to settlement by
early Autumn OF differences between
the United States and Canada on the
construction of the st. Lawrence Water
way are to be conducted by the State
Department and William D. Herridge,
the new Canadian Minister, during the
Summer, James G. Rogers, Assistant
Secretary Of State, announced yester-
day.
President Hoover's plans to have the
disputed points settled and an agree
ment for joint construction of the
waterway incorporated in q formal
treaty have been abandoned Temporal
lily, at least. The Dominion govern
ment felt that solution Of the prob
lem would be expedited II both Gov
ernments relied upon direct negotiations
rather than the commission form.
Understanding Expected.
1t is now anticipated that prelirni-
nary understanding will be worked out
during the Summer with q hope that
each Government will then be In posi-
ton to appoint the proper representa-
tives to draft the treaty. Upon the
ratification Of that treaty by Congress
and the Dominion government, work
can be started on the waterway, which
will open the Great Lakes to direct
traffic with the Atlantic Ocean.
Engineer commissions appointed by
the United States and Canada reached
an agreement In 1928, and in 1929 the
United States sent formal note to
Ottawa suggesting that negotiations be
opened Immediately to construct the
waterway without further delay. Due
first to political problems and second
to some last-minute changes in the
engineering plans, Canada has not as
yet complied.
President Hoover has been pressing
for earliest possible settlement. 1t was
the first important question Mr.. Her
ridge took up with the State Depart
ment after presenting his credentials.
President Hoover suggested turning the
proposition over to an international
commission. Canada insisted, how
ever, upon using the regular diplo-
matte channels, saying 1t offered less
opportunity for serious differences Of
opinion.
Allen Seen Chairman.
President Hoover was understood to
have selected former Senator Henry j.
Allen Of Kansas, head Of the Inland
waterways Association, for the chair
manshtp of the American section Of
the mission. Senator Allen announced
yesterday that he was quite willing to
forego this honor and abandon the
commission plan If it would expedite
definite action looking to an early set
Element of the whole problem.
The opening Of the st. Lawrence
waterway IS expected to be a boon to
Western farmers, both in Canada and
the United States. When the water
way Is completed ocean steamers will
be able to load export products at lake
ports for direct shipment abroad, saw
ing the expensive haul by rail to ocean
ports. The project will cost $780,
100000 before 1t Is completed.
Dam Erection Problem.
The only important engineering
problem which remains to be settled Is
the number of main dams which are to
be erected. American engineers con-
tend one will be sufficient Canadian
engineers think two would increase the
value of water-power sites and afford
greater safety for communities below
the dams. Another point is the divi-
sion Of the costs Of the waterway and
f1nally putting the agreement into
treaty FORM
As the present welland Canal con-
structed entirely by Canada, will be-
come part Of the Seaway, large share
OF the future cost will be borne by the
United States. The route also will be
largely through Canadian territory,
necessitating the appropriation of large
tracts Of land by the Dominion gov
eminent. Tremendous power sites will
be made available by the st. Lawrence
development. Those on the Canadian
side will be awarded Canada and those
on the American side to this country
(Copyright, 1881