a copy of Senate Joint Resolution 27 (82d Cong., 1st sess.), and Senate Joint Resolution 111 (82d Cong., 1st sess.). And also a copy of the agreement of March 19, 1941. This is not a treaty. It is an agreement which is not legal until the Congress ratifies it or approves it. CHRONOLOGY OF THE ST. LAWRENCE SEAWAY AND POWER PROJECT (By C. Frank Keyser) (A REPORT BY THE LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE SERVICE, THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS) 1783: Canal completed between Lake St. Francis and Montreal. 1818: Governments of Upper and Lower Canada appointed a joint committee to report on the advisability of building canals on the St. Lawrence River above Montreal, 1821: Work begun by Canadian Government on a canal connecting Montreal and the Great Lakes. 1826: Improvement of ship channel, Montreal to Quebec considered by Lower Canada assembly. 1832: Essay by A. Projector, urging a ship canal to make the upper lake ports accessible to the sea. 1834 December 18.-Report by Engineer J. B. Mills to the Commissioners for the Improvement of navigation on the St. Lawrence River. Recommended the Province of Ontario proceed at once with canalization of Canadian waterways. 1839-40: Reports of Lt. Col. George Phillpotts of the Royal Engineers to the Governor-General of Canada. Recommended enlargement of all canals between Lake Erie and tidewater to 9 feet. 1842: August 9.-Webster-Ashburton Treaty. Fixed Northeastern boundary of the United States and Canada and opened the waterway of the St. Lawrence to the Great Lakes to free navigation by both countries. 1854: June 5.-Reciprocity Treaty, United States and Canada, concerned with fisheries in territorial waters, confirmed and guaranteed the free navigation of the St. Lawrence waterway to the Great Lakes. 1871: Canadian Canal Commission report. Recommended 12-foot depth Lake Erie Treaty of Washington. Confirming United States right to navigate St. 1875: Canada. Department of Public Works. Report of the Chief Engineer of Public Works on the Navigation of the River St. Lawrence between Lake Ontario and Montreal (by John Page). 1887: Welland Canal deepened to 14 feet over the sills. Had been undertaken by private interests in 1824. Opened in 1832 with 7 feet depth. Taken over by Canadian Government in 1841. Deepened to 9 feet in 1841, to 10 feet in 1853. 1888: United States Army Engineers survey of possible routes on the American side of the boundary to connect Lakes Erie and Ontario. 1895: 1896: February 15.-Report favoring S. R. 130 authorizing preliminary inquiry concerning deep waterways between ocean and Great Lakes [H. Rept. No. 1840, 53d Cong., 3d sess.]. United States and Canadian Governments appoint a Deep Waterways Commission. (American action contained in Sundry Civil Appropriation Bill.) Directed to report on all possible waterways which might connect the Great Lakes and the Atlantic [Public Doc. No. 122, 53d Cong., 2d sess.]. New York State law empowered the St. Lawrence Power Co. to construct the Massena Power Canal. Acquired by St. Lawrence River Power Co. in 1902. Power plant thus authorized now generates 90,000 horsepower near Massena. January 3.-International Waterway Commission created for the purpose of studying the feasibility and usefulness of a deep-water canal between the Great Lakes and Montreal. 1897: January 8.-Deep Waterways Commission Report [H. Doc. No. 192, 54th Cong., 2d sess.]. Concluded both the St. Lawrence and the Mohawk Canal routes were feasible. Recommended as a first step improving connections between the Lakes and further surveys. 1897-1901: Williamsburg Canals enlarged to minimum depth of 14 feet. 1897-1900: Investigations of the United States Board of Engineers on Deep Waterways. 1897: Report of the Chief of Engineers Annual Report of the War Department, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1897, p. 3128 et. seq. of pt. 4. Estimates of cost of an all-American Canal. 1898: February 5.-Deep Waterways Board. Estimate for surveys and examinations for deep waterways between Great Lakes and Atlantic [H. Doc. No. 282, 55th Cong., 2d sess.]. 1899: January 4.-Deep Waterways Board. Report and recommendations relating to appropriations therefor. [H. Doc. No. 110, 55th Cong., 3d sess.]. Soulanges Canal opened. Depth 15 feet. 1900: June 30.-Report of Board of Engineers on Deep Waterways [H. Doc. No. 149, 56th Cong., 2d sess.]. Considered all routes. Recommended an allAmerican waterway of 21 feet depth. 1901: Hydroelectric plant. Completed at Massena, N. Y., with a capacity of 7,500 horsepower. 1902: June 13.-Rivers and Harbors Act [32 Stat. 373]. Requested the President to invite the Government of Great Britain to join in the formation of an International Waterways Commission to deal with the seaway project. 1903: 1905: April 27.-Canadian Order in Council recommended acceptance of United States offer to investigate and report on conditions and uses of waters adjacent to the boundary line between the two countries. July 30.--Canadian Premier, in an address before House of Commons urged construction of a waterway connecting the Great Lakes and the sea. October 16.-United States members of International Waterways Commission appointed. St. Lawrence Canals all improved to 14 feet depth. First portion, Lachine Canal begun in 1700. In 1825 Lachine opened, 5-foot depth. In 1843 improved to 9 feet and in 1901 to 14 feet. Cornwall Canal begun 1834; opened in 1843 with 9-foot depth. In 1900 improved to 14 feet. Williamsburg Canals opened 1847, 9-foot depth, and finally deepened to 14 feet in 1903. December.-International Waterways Commission established by the two governments. January 7.-Canadian members of International Waterways Commission appointed. June 14.-Meeting of entire International Waterways Commission [Proceedings in Sessional Paper No. 19a of 1913]. 1906: Request of Massena Water Power Co. to dam the south channel of the St. Lawrence River at Long Sault Island not granted. 1909: January 11.-International Boundary Treaty signed, establishing The International Joint Commission of the United States and Canada [36 Stat. 2448; State Dept. Treaty Series No. 548]. 1911: February 8.-United States Congress. Senate Committee on Commerce. St. Lawrence River near Long Sault Island, New York Hearings on S. 10558, providing for improvements near Long Sault, Baruhart, and Sheek Islands by Long Sault Development Co. Report (S. Rept. No. 1203, 61st Cong., 3d sess.). House. Committee on Rivers and Harbors. Hearings on improvement of St. Lawrence River for navigation at or near Long Sault Island, N. Y. (H. R. 14531, H. R. 32219, 61st Cong.) Report. (H. Rept. No. 2032, 61st Cong., 3d sess. January 31, 1911). Related to the work of the Long Sault Development Co. [Senate. February 8, 1911. Hearings August. Rept. No. 1203, 61st Cong., 3d sess., on similar bill S. 10558]. 1913: July 10.-United States Senate adopted resolution requesting President to enter into negotiations for an international agreement for improvement of navigation in the United States-Canadian boundary waters. 1914: February 24.-United States note to Canada via the British Ambassador stated no additional treaty was needed, the Treaty of 1909 was sufficient 1914- Continued authority, and suggested submission to the International Joint Commission for study the question of development of boundary waters for navigation and power. Canada did not reply. Algoma Steel Corp. and Michigan Northern Power Co. apply for permission to build power sites on St. Marys River at Sault Ste. Marie with corrective works. 1918: Canada. Commission of Conservation. Committee on Waters and WaterPowers. Report "Power possibilities on the St. Lawrence River," by Arthur V. White, consulting engineer. August-October.-International Joint Commission. Hearings on the application of New York and Ontario Power Co. for development of power at Waddington, N. Y. September.-International Joint Commission approved request of Aluminum Co. of America for permission to build a submerged weir on the St. Lawrence River to increase the supply of power to its plant at Massena. 1919: Canadian Deep Waterways and Power Association established in Montreal. February 4.-Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Tidewater Association established in Washington, D. C. March 2.-Rivers and Harbors Act [40 Stat. 1290], section 9, calls on International Joint Commission to investigate further improvements of the St. Lawrence River to make it navigable for ocean-going vessels, and the cost thereof. 1920: January 21-United States and Canadian Governments referred to the International Joint Commission a number of questions for investigation and report, relating to the improvement of the St. Lawrence River between Lake Ontario and Montreal for navigation and power [S. Doc. 348, 67th Cong., 4th sess.]. January 30.-Lt. Col. W. O. Wooten, U. S. A. Corps of Engineers appointed engineer by International Joint Commission to make survey. April 14.-W. A. Bowden, Chief Engineer, Dept. of Railways and Canals, Canada, appointed as engineer, for the survey, by International Joint Commission. February.-Herbert Hoover, address before Western Society of Engineers at Chicago. (Jour. of West. Soc. of Eng. J. 25, p. 149). Report submitted to the International Joint Commission by Hugh L. Cooper & Co. "Navigation and Power in the St. Lawrence River." Estimated cost at $1,450,000,000. Called for five dams, power developing 6,625,000 horsepower. Offered to provide navigation facilities free to the Governments of United States and Canada in return for power rights. March 1 to February 1921.-Series of 44 hearings by the International Joint Commission to determine views of representatives of commercial and other organizations as to the investigation and problem. June 19.-St. Lawrence Transmission Co. applies for preliminary permit for a power project 750,000 horsepower capacity near Barnhart Island [Project No. 81. Denied April 3, 1933, not approved by International Joint Commission. July 8.-Louisville Power Corp. (Niagara Hudson Power Corp.) applies for preliminary permit for a power project 600,000 horsepower near Cat Island [Project No. 23]. Denied April 3, 1933, not recommended by the International Joint Commission. 1921: January 7.-New York & Ontario Power Co. applies for license for a power project 30,000 horsepower installed capacity near Ogden Island [Project No. 147]. Denied April 3, 1933, not approved by International Joint Commission. January 12.-New York & Ontario Power Co. applies for preliminary permit for power project 400,000 horsepower near Lotus Island [Project No. 151 (upstream near Project No. 147)]. Withdrawn April 15, 1935, at request of Federal Power Commission. June 24.-Report of joint engineering investigation (Wooten-Bowden Report), Favorable. Plan involved nine locks, 33 miles of 25-foot canal, development of 1,464,000 horsepower of hydroelectric energy, at a total cost of $252,728,800 [S. Doc. No. 179, 67th Cong., 2d sess.]. 1921-Continued December 19.-Report of International Joint Commission. Favorable. Recommended United States and Canada enter into an arrangement by treaty for improveemnt of the St. Lawrence between Montreal and Lake Ontario, to include the Welland Canal, apportion costs between countries on basis of benefits, and leave final judgment on improvements to a larger board of engineers. [S. Doc. No. 114, 67th Cong., 2d sess.]. Ontario. Hydro-Electric Power Commission. Statement and engineering report by the Hydro-electric Power Commission of Ontario submitted to the International Joint Commission respecting the proposal to develop the St. Lawrence River. Economic aspects of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence ship channel, by Roy S. MacElwee and Alfred H. Ritter. New York (State) Commission on the St. Lawrence Ship Canal Project. (Established by Ch. 806, Laws of New York, 1920.) Preliminary Report. International Joint Commission held 44 hearings in 16 States and in five Canadian Provinces. Hugh L. Cooper & Co. Report to the International Joint Commission on navigation and power in the St. Lawrence River. Col. Hugh L. Cooper submits proposal for building of project by private interests. New York Water Power Commission created by act of State Legislature. Empowered to issue 50-year licenses for private development of Stateowned power sites [1920-26, 22 applications were made]. Roy S. McElwee and Alfred H. Ritter brief: "Economic Aspects of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Ship Canal," submitted to International Joint Commission. New York, 1921. 1922: January 6.-Transmission of Report of International Joint Commission to the respective governments [S. Doc. No. 114, 67th Cong., 2d sess.]. January 16.-President's message to Congress submitting report of International Joint Commission. Report stated that of the various routes proposed for a deep waterway from the interior to the sea none offered the advantages for both navigation and power that the St. Lawrence offered [S. Doc. No. 114, 67th Cong., 2d sess.]. International Joint Commission. St. Lawrence Waterways Report of the United States and Canadian government engineers on the improvement of the St. Lawrence River from Montreal to Lake Ontario made to the International Joint Commission. Supplementary to Senate Document No. 114, 67th Cong. [S. Doc. 179, 67th Cong., 2d sess.]. May 17.-United States note to Canada expressing readiness to negotiate a treaty on the basis of the Report of the International Joint Commission. Canada replied June 5, 1922, declaring it needed more time to study the report. 1923: Ontario Legislature unanimously passed resolution favoring project, calling however, for no specific action. February 5.-American Super Power Corp. applies for preliminary permit for power project 2,520,000 horsepower, one dam near Ogden Island, another near Barnhart Island [Project No. 384]. Hearing by Federal Power Commission June 18, 1935. Denied June 24, 1935, conflict with public project for improvement of the St. Lawrence River in the interest of navigation and power. December 6.-President Coolidge, in annual message to Congress, recommended the construction of the project. [H. Doc. No. 1, 68th Cong., 1st sess.]. 1924: January 30.-Reply of Canada to United States note of May 17, 1922, expressing desire for further engineering study by an enlarged Joint Board of Engineers. February 27.-United States reply to Canadian note of January 30, 1924. Agreed to terms of that note. United States to appoint an enlarged Engineering Board to consider engineering details. March 14.-President Coolidge appointed the St. Lawrence Commission of the United States consisting of six members with Herbert Hoover, Secretary of Commerce, as Chairman (Canada appointed a similar body, the National Advisory Committee, later). 1924-Continued April 2.-United States designated members of enlarged Joint Board of May 7.-Canada designated members of enlarged Joint Board of Engineers. 1925: Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Tidewater Association sponsored a survey and report by Alfred H. Ritter. February 4.-United States advised by Canada that the terms of reference agreed upon by the engineers had been approved and adopted by them. March 17, 1925, United States notified Canada instructions had been given the Joint Board of Engineers to that effect. 1926: 1927: November 16.-Report of Joint Board of Engineers [S. Doc. No. 183, 69th Cong., 2d sess.]. Favorable. Estimated cost at $625 to $650 millions for 25-foot channel and full power development. United States Engineers favored single-stage development with dam at Barnhart Island, Canadians favored a two-stage development with dams near Morrisburg and Cornwall. December 6.-Report of the Chief of Engineers, United States Army. "Waterway from the Great Lakes to the Hudson River" [Rivers and Harbors Committee Doc. No. 7, 69th Cong., 2d sess.]. St. Lawrence River the preferred Lakes-to-Sea route. Recommended as cheaper and with added advantage of hydro power. December 27.-Report of the St. Lawrence Commission of the United States. Favorable. Recommended St. Lawrence route, deemed immediate construction imperative, power to be developed by proper agencies, negotiate with Canada to recognize proper relations of New York to power development in the International Section [S. Doc. No. 183, 69th Cong., 2d sess.]. January 3.-President of the United States presented the United States-St. Lawrence Commission Report to Congress [S. Doc. No. 183, 69th Cong., 2d sess.]. January 29.-United States Department of Commerce Report [Great Lakesto-Ocean Waterways, Domestic Commerce Series No. 4]. Recommended 27-foot depth, estimated commerce available at 19 to 24 million long tons per year. Prepared by the Transportation Division, Washington, GPO. April 13.-United States note to Canada, intimating acceptance of the recommendations of the St. Lawrence Commission; and indicating readiness to enter into negotiations for carrying them out. July 12.-Canadian answer to United States note of April 13. Expressed wish to postpone negotiations until its National Advisory Committee reported. July 13. -Joint Board of Engineers Report. As an appendix to its report, proposed a third possibility, a two-stage development but placed upper dam at Crysler Island instead of Ogden Island. 1928: July 30.-Joint Engineering Board again recommended construction of project. Submitted a compromise plan for a two-stage project in the International Rapids Section. January 5.-Canadian Engineers report to National Advisory Committee. Re April 5.-Canadian Legation note to United States Dept. of State. emphasized power development should not outrun demand. Called for reconciliation of cost estimates. Noted consultation with Provincial governments of Quebec and Ontario, after which Canada would be ready to negotiate. |