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Buffalo was begun, which has resulted in an appropriation being made by'the Common Council of $100,000 for the removal of hard-pan in the inner Buffalo harbor, abreast of the Watson elevator. This wil! remove the chief cause of delay. Provision was also made for a new bridge, without center abutments, across the Blackwell Canal at South Michigan street. -This will remove another catse of detention of vessels at Buffalo, conditions at this bridge having been such during the past few years, that heavily loaded vessels of the larger type could not pass through the draw without unloading some of their cargo. The action of the executive committee of the Association in this matter and the result which followed, are a good in- stance of the many ways in which vigilant action on the part of the Association can benefit the carrying interests. RIVER AND HARBOR BILL. Through unfortunate legislative complication the River and Harbor Bill failed in the last hours of the last Con- gress. The bil! provided for an unusual number of im- portant projects on the Great Jakes, and its unfortunate failure has delayed the work. A new bill is in course of preparation, however. and is in the hands of. practically ‘the same committee which framed the last bill, and we car reasonably expect that the interests of lake naviga- tion will be well provided for. It is expected that the new bill will contain a section providing for the appointment of an international commission on the subject of mainte- nance of lake levels. i | due to the efforts of the Lake Carriers’ Association having this matter in charge. Mr. Firth has seen for many years that the important subject of maintaining the lake levels could only properly be dealt with by means of an inter- national commission. The new methods of developing and utilizing water power, particularly in connection with elec- tric smelting and electrical transmission of water power to considerable distances, has made it certain that at every point where there is a considerable fall of water in the connecting water-ways of the Great Lakes, water power will be developed to the fuliest extent. This will divert the water from existing channels, and unless the govern- ment authorities and the vessei interests on the lakes are alert to protect their interests, they will find that the in- terests of navigation are injuriously affected. Injury of this kind is particularly likely to occur, because a lowering of the levels of the lakes must necessarily be gradual and ‘a matter of inches. Moreover, owing to variations in the natural levels of the lakes from year to year, due to annual rain falls, above or below the average, and hourly changes in the levels due to barometric and weather conditions, it is extremely difficult to tell when and how the levels of the lakes are being lowered. Vessel owners will find that they have less water for their ships, but when the naviga- tion interests or the United States government goes into court to prove that the lowering of the levels of the lakes is due to the power developments, they will find so many other conditions affecting the lake levels, that it will be extremely difficult to make the proofs. If the injury is to be prevented, therefore, it is very desirable that action should be taken promptly. After millions have been spent in developing power plants, it is not an easy thing to induce the government, even if it has the necessary au- thority, to prevent the use of water power from injuriously affecting navigation. During the last session of Congress — an agreement was arrived at in’ conference at Washington - between the owners and managers of the power company at Sault Ste. Marie and a committee of the Lake Carriers’ Association, and a bill was drawn which would protect the interests of navigation and which was pronounced by the power company to he satisfactory to it. No steps have been taken, however, on the part of the power company to have the bill agreed upon at Washirgton enacted into law. Meantime the work of the power company at the Sault is proceeding rapidly. ‘The company has begun the construction of remedial works at the head of the rapids which they claim will obstruct the flow of water over the rapids to such an extent as to compensate for the draft of water through the power canal. These remedial works, however, are located on the Canadian side of the Interna- tional boundary line, and beyond the jurisdiction of the United States government. The importance of this mat- ter and the critical condition which the work has now reached, render it very desirable that the power company should inform the vessel interests cf their purpose with respect tc the bill agreed upon at the Washington confer- ence last year, and if the power company has decided to drop this bill or even to oppose its enactment by Congress, the matter should again be taken up by the Lake Carriers’ Association and a decision as to the best course to follow should be arrived at without delay.: MISCELLANEOUS MAITERS DURING THE PAST YEAR. Last year’s report contained reference to a plan under consideration by the Lake Carriers’ Association for a fed- eration of the employes or lake vessels whereb; owners and men should join in supporting a fund to provide ben- efits to be paid employes in case of accident. Various meetings were held, at which the details of the proposed benefit fund were carefully considered, and a detailed plan was pretty thoroughly worked up. The labor condi- tions which prevailed at the opening of navigation last spring, however, were such as to render it inexpedient to put this plan into effect at that time. The matter has therefore been held in abeyance. but the considerable work already done will be available in the future if the time shall come when the members of the Association desire to tevive this plan. THE MARINE RECORD. lf this is done it will be largely: still surrounded by friends whom I knew in boyhood. It is not necessary in this report to enter into a detailed discussion of the delays invclved in getting vessels of the Association into commission last spring on account of labor troubles. At a meeting of the executive committee held in Cleveland last spring it was voted unanimously that the Association as an association should not take part in fixing salaries of engineers on lake vessels during 1901. The tratter was left to each indivilual owner to scttle with his own engineers, and the head of the engineers’ or- ganization was officially informed to that effect. A matter which has been considerably discussed during ihe past year end which may come before the annual meet- ing for further consideration, is the proposed regulation of navigation in the lower Detroit river, under rules pre- scribed and enforced by the government on lines similar to those now prevailing in the St. Marv’s river. The sub- ject is one which should have most careful consideration. Appropriate action will be taken by the Association at its annual meeting expressing the sorrow and regret of the members of the Association at the death since the last meeting, of two of its prominent members—David Carter and William E. Fitzgerald. It would be hard to name two members of the Association whose loss would be more deeply deplored. David Carter was a veteran in the lake service, known and respected by all vessel owners, who lived a life full of honors and usefulness. William . Fitzgerald died under most distressing circumstances, in the very prime of life and at a time when he was be- coming a more and more important figure in connection with ‘ake navigation. He always attended the annual meetings of the Association and took a very active in- terest in its affairs, and his absence at this meeting will be a grief to all our members. Respectfully submitted on behalf of the Board of Man- agers by A. B. WotwvI1n, CuHariEes H. Keer, President. Secretary. Oo oa own PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE LAKE CARRIERS’ ASSOCIATION. For the second time in the history of the Lake Carriers’ Association William Livingstorie, of Detroit, is its presi- dent. Several days ago, unbeknown to Mr. Livingstone, the members of the Association arrived at the conclusion that he was the right man for chief executive of the Asso- WM LIVINGSTONE. Detroit Vessel Owner Elected President of the Lake Carriers for the Second Time, ciation again. At that time it appeared that the laws of the body would not allow of any one having more than one term and several years ago Mr. Livingstone had been the president. On Tuesday, shortly before the meeting was called to order, a clause in the laws was discovered which allowed of the re-election of former presidents. ‘There were three hundred members in the convntion hall whn Capt. John G. Keith, vice president, called the meeting to order. Pres- ident Wolvin was not present. Secretary Chas. H. Keep read his report and ten min- utes after he had taken his seat the Association proceeded to elect its officers and appoint committees to look into the questions to come up before the Association for argument. Henry Coulby, of Cleveland, manager of the Pickands- Mather fleet, proposed the name of Mr. Livingstone. His election was carried unanimously, and he was almost car- ried to the presidential seat by Henry Coulby and Capt. C. W. Elphicke. He is the first ex-president of the Association who has ever been honored with a second term. “Gentlemen,” said Mr. Livingstone, when he caught his breath, “I appreciate the high compliment which you have bestowed upon me. This is my second term, and I. am i As JANUARY 16, Ig02. I grow older, I realize the responsibility of this office, and I believe no man ought to accept this or any other office without feeling that with honor there comes responsibility. “I wish you had chosen someone else for the position, but as you have seen fit to give me the presidency again _ I'can only say that it shall be my best effort to faithfully carry out the terms of the trust you have bestowed upon me, Mr. John T. Shaw, the admiralty lawyer, next nomina- ted Harvey L. Brown, of Buffalo, for the secretaryship to succeed Mr. Keep, who resigned because of pressing bus- iness, after a twelve years’ incumbency of the office. Mr. Brown was promptly elected and Harvey D. Goulder, of Cleveland, counsel for the Lake Carriers, then presented, on behalf of the carriers, Chas. H. Keep, the retiring sec- retary, with a magnificent gold watch and chain. Mr, Keep made a little speech, saying that the Lake Carriers had grown powerful, and that their object should be to avoid all alliances. The offices of secretary and treasurer were not com- bined, as it had been rumored might be done. C. H. Keep, the retiring secretary, who withdrew from the office after twelve years of efficient service, was, in behalf of the Association, presented by Counsel Harvey. D. Goulder with a magnificent gold watch, which is ru- mored to have cost very nearly $1,000. Capt. Geo. P. McKay was re-elected treasurer unani- mously.° A committee to nominate vice presidents, new managers and standing committees, was then appointed, and consists of: Henry Coulby, Cleveland; ‘I. T. Mor- ford, Buffalo; C. W. Elphicke, Chicago; David Vance, Milwaukee; D. TIT. Helm, Duluth; Howard Shaw, Bay City, and J. W. Westcott, Detroit. - The question of dues was one of the first matters taken up. Mr. J. C. Gilchrist, who is the largest owner on the. lakes, with the exception of the steel corporation asked for a reduction in the tonnage dues on small wooden vessels. He said that the steel ships and the large wooden carriers could afford to pay the dues of last season, but that the high rates were a hardship on the small freighters. After considerable discussion it was decided to make no change in the rate for large carriers, which was 4 cents a net ton last year, but a reduction of I cent a ton was made on the rate of all wooden vessels of less than 1,800 tons, making the rate 2 cents a ton. Capt. W. W. Smith, of the committee on aids to navi- gation, asked that an effort be made to have the govern- ment arrange to have the following light-houses lighted by Pintsch gas after the light-house keepers have been taken away on‘the following islands: Stannard. Rock, Manitou Island, Passage Island, Outer Island, Devil’s Island and Sand Island, on Lake Superior. Resolutions on the death of David Carter, of Detroit, Capt. J. S. Dunham, of Chicago, and W. E. Fitzgerald, of Milwaukee, who died during the past year, were adopted. ; The committee appointed to recommend rules for nay- igating the lower Detroit river held a’ conference with Capt. A. B. Davis, of the United States revenue cutter service, who has had charge of the “Soo” river. during the past few years, and recommended certain rules be ‘adopted. ‘The report, which was referred to the legisla- live committee, with power to act, recommends that ves- sels going in the same direction will not be allowed to pass each other between the upper end of Ballard’s Reef and the lower end of Bois Blanc Island, and shall remain 500 feet apart between the points named. Vessels bound in opposite directions will check when passing. i ‘he salaries of the secretary and Counsel were not changed, but an advance of $300 was made in Treasurer McKay’s salary, making it $1,800. Some of the members of the committee to which the matter was referred were in favor of making it $2,000. One ct the most interesting speeches made at the ses- sion was that of C. EK. Kremer, Esq., of Chicago, on the ueed of a “snug harbor” for old and indigent sailors, on the lakes. Mr. Kremer said ‘that the lake vesselmen ought to esiablish a “snug harbor” like they have in New York and urged the Lake Carriers to keep the movement, which has been started in Chicago, going. Mr. Kremer said he knew of an old master-who at present is in a Canadian poorhouse. ‘The man referred to is well known in Cleveland and a good-sized purse. was collected for - iin. Mr. Frank J. Firth, an ex-president of the Associa- tion, said it was the duty of vesselmen to take care of old - sailors, and a resolution offered by him requesting the conimittee on permanent organization to take the matter up at once and make recommendations, was adopted. Be- fore adjourning it was decided to hold the next annual meeting the third Wednesday in January. Three special committees were appointed to draw up suitable resolutions in memory of the three members who have passed away since the last annual meeting—James S Dunham, David Carter, of Detroit, and William E. Fitzgerald, of Milwaukee. One of the most important questions under considera- tion was in reference to the improvement of navigation at a number of points where it is now attended with some risk, or with the possibility of expensive and irk- some delay consequent upon a channel becoming block- aded through accident. Counsel Harvey D. Goulder gave a concise explanation of existing conditions and: the results which the Asso- ciation wished to bring about, pointing out the necessity for a double track channel in the passage between Lake Huron and Lake Superior. A new channel in the West Neebish, would, he said, be better, because supnlying a .