The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

Vor. ITV. CLEVELAND, OHIO, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1891. No. 26, The Waterways Convention. Lake interests from St. Paul and Minneapolis to Oswego, assembled in convention at Detroit, have asked Congress for a 20-foot channel between Duluth, Chicago and Buffalo; for a survey that will determine the cost of a 20-foot canal over the most advantageous route from the lakes to the Atlantic ocean, and for liberal appropriations in the matter of lights, fog signals and other aids to navigation on the lakes. They have also join- ed hands with the Hudson river shipping interests, in asking for the improvement of the Hudson to a navigable depth of 25 feet from Coxackie to Troy. This latter feature of the recom- mendations of the convention was in part due to the fact that the convention had asked for a survey ofa canal route that must lead to the Hudson. To the readers of the REVIEW, who are acquainted with the preliminary work of the past year leading up to this great gathering of commercial interests, the deliberations of the con- vention with reference to the question of committing itself to any action on an outlet to the seaboard is of most importance. That part of the resolutions calling for a 20-foot channel througout the lakes was a foregone conclusion; it was the great object of the convention, and itis an improvement of immed- iate necessity, approved by the engineering department of the government and certain to become a reality with the completion of the government works at St. Mary’s Falls canal and other places along the route of lake commerce. On the other hand, to sum up the feeling among vessel owners and others most directly interested in lake commerce, there was a doubt as to what would be done with the question of a seaboard outlet. Three elements made up the convention. Northwestern dele- gates were enthusiastic on the subject of a canal to the Atlantic and they were earnestly supported by a large representaiton from Oswego, whose interest in the subject, it must be admited, is somewhat selfish. The second element was from Buffalo and Chicago, made up of a representation of the lake line boat inter- ests, whose connections with the railways and terminal interests of Buffalo prompted opposition toeven a survey on the canal question. This was also a selfish interest, to some extent, although the opposition to the canal question was based on the claim that it would jeopardize the chances attending the 20-foot channel project in the present Congress. The third element in the convention was made up of delegates from Detroit, Cleveland, Milwaukee and other lake ports, having a vital interest in the completion of the 20-foot channel project, on account of the vessel property, mining and other industries which they represented. To this portion of the convention the matter of a seaboard outlet was a problem repuiring the greatest consideration, and they would not object to asking Congress for the appointment of a commission of engineers for the pur- pose of giving the matter attention. In the committee on reso- lutions, where the principal work of the convention was out- lined, the northwestern enthusiasts on the canal question were met with opposition from Buffalo and Chicago and the discussion was for a time very warm. The districts favoring the canal pro- ject were largely in the majority as to representatives, but the conservative portion of the convention held most influence and the request to Congress was modified so as to call for only a sur- vey H. Ely of Cleveland, precedes the resolutions. It is a forcible and scholarly paper and was the subject of a great deal of favor- . able comment. ‘The resolutions are as follows: RESOLVED, That this convengion does hereby respectfully and earnestly request and urge Congfess to authorize the immedi ate commencement and speedy completion of an unobstructed © channel not less than twenty feet in depth and of sufficient width through the lakes and their connecting waters between Chicago, — Duluth, Superior and Buffalo, and that the secretary of war be authorized to make contracts for the entire work, and a sufficient sum of money be appropriated therefor. , as WHEREAS, Every consideration of prosperity in time of peace and protection in time of war demands the construction of “4 a waterway of sufficient capacity to allow a free passage of vessels _ drawing twenty (20) feet of water through our own territory. * from the great lakes to the Atlantic ocean, therefore, RESOLVED, ‘That we further request Congress to authorize © : the secretary of war to cause to be made surveys, examinations — and estimates of cost of the various practicable routes for such waterway, with a view to determining the one which is most ad-’ vantageous, and that a sufficient sum be appropriated to defray : the expense of such surveys and examinations. _ RESOLVED, That this convention strongly favors the im- provement of the Hudson river to a navigable depth of twenty feet from Coxackie to Troy. RESOLVED, That we respectfully urge upon Congress the necessity for the most liberal appropriations for the establish- ment and maintenance of all needed lighthouses, fog signals, buoys and beacons throughout the entire chain of lakes, to the end that added security may be given to life and property. Resolutions bearing upon the Canal street bridge question at Chicago, and several other matters. of a local nature were re- ferred to the committee on legislation. ‘The committee on legis- lation is made up of the executive officers of the convention and a representative from each of the delegations in attendance. Ex-Senator Palmer, who presided over the convention in a most able manner, is chairman of this committee and will arrange for a hearing with the proper committees in Washington shortly, when about 100 of the delegates appointed for the purpose are expected to attend. Ex-Senator Palmer’s numerous duties will not permit of his giving attention to the details connected with preparations for the meeting of the committee in Washington, but Mr. George H. Ely of Cleveland is first vice-president and Mr. Charles H. Keep of Buffalo is secretary. These two gen- tlemen will undoubtedly use every effort to bring about a big gathering of members of the legislative committee in Washing- ton. The great success of the convention is due to the excel- lent arrangements made by the Detroit committees. The big gathering of commercial interests at the Detroit wateways convention showed its appreciation of faithful and efficient service on the part of government officers by extending a vote of thanks to Gen. O. M. Poe and Col. William Ludlow, army engineers. In the resolutions the 20-foot channel project is of first im- portance. A memorial to Congress, prepared by Hon. George —