Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-01-23
By Gerald Worine
Special Correspondent OF The ssor

OTTAWA, Jan. %. The
United States Senate's approval
Of the st. Lawrence seaway bill
this week has not altered
Canada's desire to construct the
$500 million waterway without
American assistance. it was EVIL
dent mere today.
At the same time, authoritative
Canadian sources agreed that If
the United States House OF Rep
resentatives now gives its ap-
prevail to the Wiley Till it will be
practically impossible for Canada
to turn down the Congress hid
for the United states TO parti-
cipate IN the construction and
control Of the seaway.
There is now no doubt that
there has been a complete re-
versal of Canadian thinking on
the waterway in the last two
years.
Waited Impatiently.
In the decade after Canada
and the United States signed the
Great Lakes-St. Lawrence basin
agreement in 194l, Canada
waited impatiently for United
States Senate ratification. Then,
on November 4. 1852. Canada
served notice on the United
States-doing so on United
States election day so it wouldn't
seem partisan move-that this
country was rejecting the in
operative l941 treaty.
Since then Canada has pro-
ceeded with plans to build the
seaway single-handedly, and en-
tirely within Canada.
The official Canadian position
on possible American participa-
ton was put forward in a note
to the State Department last
January. and was restated in
concise words last Thursday by
the Canadian Minister of Trans
port. Lionel Chevrier.
I'VE are commlJted to con-
slider any firm proposal for
United States participation that
would not upset present power
plans, and would not unduly de-
lay completion of the seaway,"
Mr.. Chevrier said. Congress has
such a measure before it even
now (and) unless it Is approved
by both chambers before Canada
is in a position to start her own
canals. the long history will end
with an all-Canadian Seaway."
Work Planned In 1854.
Officials Of Mr.. Chevrier's de-
partment responsible for pre-
pairing plans for seaway con-
struction told The Star they
would be ready to start ex-
cavation for the canals during
the 1854 construction season.
Much of the preliminary work
has been done, such as survey
ing canal locations on the Cana
dian side of the river and test
drilling Of the shoreline.
Although winter weather is the
only physical obstacle preventing
an immediate start, there is still
legal obstacle to be overcome.
Mr.. Chevrier explained that
present plans assume a power
development in the International
Rapids section of the St. Law
renee, and hence the whole prof.
ect hangs on the authorization
Of New York to act with Ontario
in that development"
The United States Federal
Power Commission has licensed
the New York State Power Au-
thority to develop the United
States share Of the 20 million
horsepower Of electrical energy
in International Rapids. It will
do this in conjunction with the
Ontario Hydroelectric Power
Commission which will develop
Canada's share. However, Ameri-
can opponents of the scheme
have appealed the FPC decision
to the courts. The appeal is now
before the United States Court
Of Appeals for the District of
Columbia. and is believed likely
to be carried to the Supreme
Court.
Mr.. ChevTier said. I'VE hope