The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1932-12-20
(Official City, State and County
Newspaper
Foreign Representatives
SMALL. SPENCER, BREWER
(Incorporated)
CHICAGO NEW YORK BOSTON
Between Two Fires

Between Two Fires
North Dakota voters and taxpay-
ers are liable to find themselves be-
tween two fires when the battle over
the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence water
way reaches its peak.
This state is one which always has
been solidly behind the waterway
project. Much of our wheat has
moved to Europe and freight costs
have held down the farmers percen-
tage of what the ultimate consumer
paid. Based on the difference in
transportation costs it is easy to
show that the price Of wheat at home
should rise about six cents a bushel
when We can ship by boat from
Duluth to Liverpool.
Now, however, the railroads have
1oosed a flood Of propaganda against
the waterway, at the same time ut
tering the plea that it will shove
many of them into insolvency.
These arguments may or may not
convince the North Dakota farmer,
but whether they do or do not he is
entitled to know what they are. For
that reason We quote from the test
mony of Albert P. Thorn, attorney
for the Leading railroads, before a
senate committee. He said:
After careful consideration of
this proposed project for deep
waterway to accommodate ocean,
going vessels from Montrea. to
the head of the Great Lakes, its
cost, its feasibility, its climatic
and other limitations, and its eff
feet upon rail carriers, the rail-
way executives take position in
opposition to it for the following
reasons:
a.. The actual cost will be
much greater than the estimates
show and upon which justifica-
ton is based.
70. Due to these under esti-
mates and to other factors. there
IS certainly no sound reason to
anticipate that the alleged say
ings from the transportation
service can be realized. Our firm
conviction is there will be no
savings whatever.
IS. The costs, whatever they
may prove to be, will be borne in
large part by taxpayers and thus
establish subsidized service,
competitive with the rail car
riers.
a. The tonnage diverted to
this artificial and subsidized
waterway will, if as great in
amount as claimed by propon-
ents, result in unjustifiable in
jury to the railroads of the Uni
ted States, without compromising
advantage in lower transporta-
ton costs. but if less in amount
than claimed by proponents,
then, Of course, the project fails
of justification.
IS. The transportation service
to be offered by this proposed
waterway will be an incomplete
service, limited by climatic con-
Of the year and by the purpose
to handle business on a through
haul only, disregarding local
service. This will compel the
railroads to standby with I'M
used equipment and watch
subsidized competitor take the
cream Of the traffic during its
operating season, but to be
ready and fully equipped to
serve when winter closes the
waterway and railroad operation
is difficult.
IS. There is no present or pros
pective need for the proposed adj
ditional and duplicate service
since there are no sound reasons
to anticipate any savings in costs
to be realized and since existing
; facilities are adequate. depend
able, efficient and afford full
community, all-the -year-round,
service.
~. The proposed project will
result In tax-free, unregulated
! transportation agency COMPETE
tive with heavily taxed and regu-
lated railroads.
e. It will involve the use Of
public revenues, raised by taxa.
: ton Of all the people, for the
! ssrk.cial benefit Of part of the
! people only and to the detriment
Of competing sections.
Instead Of costing the taxpay-
! ers Of this country $272. 453 900,
which the joint board Of engi-
neers estimates win be the
amount to be paid by the Uni-
ted States for the construction Of
the Saint Lawrence Shipway the
total capital cost for this country
alonA would be approximately
4lo1 Ol6. 900.
I'm the official estimate a. to
the cost Of the undertaking. no
consideration has been given TO
important elements Of costs
which private enterprise must
face. There are substantial costs
contingent upon the completion
~ this project and It's opera
ton rs contemplated. They
1--we not entered into the esti-