Evening star., 1932-11-23
Hard Struggle Is Indicated
Over St. Lawrence Treaty

Doubts as to the success Of the treaty
between this country and Canada for
the construction of the st. Lawrence
waterway improvement are raised by
developments at the hearing before the
Senate Foreign Relations Committee
In the general discussion there are
varying views on the railroad interests
involved, and the cost of the improve
ment is a matter of comment.
When the railroads say it would
give them new competitor for six or
seven months in the year." observes the
Boston Transcript, they are on safe
their case is so good when they say
that this competition would work havoc
in their affairs. II the st. Lawrence
seaway would promote the general
prosperity of the country the railroads
might find that they gained more than
they lost because of the creation OF
this new competitor. Just now they
may be in the position of one who can
not see the forest because of the trees.
So may other objectors who base their
case on fears of the effect of the seaway
upon ocean ports. But whatever the
outcome, the objections of the railroad
executives as voiced by Alfred P. Thorn.
general counsel of their association,
would seem to make it additionally i'm
probable that the treaty can be ratified
this Winter. It Is apparently destined
to become one of the problems of the
next administration"
Proponents of the shipway," states
the Rochester Times Union, "are prob
ably able to refute statfstically some
of the arguments against 1t. On the
vital issue Of whether it will be worth
the cost, they will have to ask the Sen
ate to take something on faith, to be-
lieve, as they believe themselves, that
connecting the Great Lakes with the
Atlantic by deep and broad waterway
will prove a tremendous stimulus to
the commerce and industry Of wide
area. Washington observers say pros
poets of getting two-thirds vote for
the treaty in the coming short session
are not too bright. And new admin
istration may favor a new treaty. which
would involve further negotiations,
Nevertheless, the advocates of the ship
way have a vision of great benefits
which they will not abandon. They
will keep up the fight. In the case Of
development of the United States such
visions have frequently proved war
ranted, especially II they were big
enough. It Is the little plans, like add
ing three or four feet in depth to an
outmoded canal, that have proved fail
ureS."
"The resignation Of Col. Hanford
MacNider as United States Minister to
Canada" states the Chicago Daily
News, removes from the scene one Of
the most effective official proponents
of both the project and the treaty. To
Col MacNider must be accorded much
Of the credit for the progress made to-
ward consummation of the seaway
plan, despite the lukewarm attitude Of
the Canadian government. His tactful
and persistent efforts in Ottawa we're
responsible in large degree for enlist
ing the cooperation of Premier Ben
nett, and his retirement probably
would be felt by the friends Of the
treaty should any serious hitch arise
over disputed questions Furthermore,
the attitude Of the incoming Democratic
administration Is factor to be reck-
oned with. President-elect Roosevelt
has taken much interest in the proposed
seaway. Properly enough, as Governor
Of New York State, he has been con-
cerned for the rights and obligations
of that Commonwealth, especially in the
matter of its share of the cost of con-
struction and control of the electrically
developed water power. He Is friendly
to the seaway project, but has not de-
fined his attitude toward the terms of
the treaty. In seems fair to assume
that he will divest himself Of his sec
tional point of view. now that he Is to
become ohi3 Executive % the Nation,