British Empire’s New Waterway

Series

Series Name

The March of Time 2nd Year

Issue

Issue No.

6

Date Released

May 1936

Length of issue (in feet)

1600

Stories in this Issue:

1. 1British Empire’s New Waterway
2. 2Belgium’s King Decides
3. 3Universities’ paid athletes

Story

Story No. within this Issue

1 / 3

Summary

The March of Time synopsis: Once again the 30-year-old spectre of the St. Lawrence Seaway threatens New Orleans’ 50-mile waterfront. Word comes that the new Congress will reconsider the treaty with Canada, which will give the Great Lakes a long-planned outlet to the North Atlantic. Then the millions of tons of Cargo that now come by river boat, barge and railroad from the Middle West to her port for reshipment overseas, may be loaded direct to ocean-going ships at Great Lakes’ ports. To-day over the Great Lakes - fresh, inland waters cut off from the ocean - great cargo ships already carry 20 per cent. of all water-borne commerce under the U.S. flag. Along this world’s busiest trade route are 30 great cities that would become big seaports serving 26 states with a population of 74 millions, if the Great Lakes - St. Lawrence Seaway were completed. Sole remaining obstacle to-day, is the 48-mile International Rapids section of the St. Lawrence, and to build locks to get ocean-going vessels past this 85-foot fall would require a treaty between the U.S. and Canada, for these are international waters.

Advocated for 30 years by six U.S. presidents and both major political parties, the Seaway is one of President Roosevelt’s prime objectives, its cost to be partially borne by the world’s largest hydro-electric power plant that would be a part of the International Rapids development. Rejected in 1934 by the Senate, in 1937 the President’s proposed Canadian treaty must again face staunch opposition from powerful minority interests - big ship-owners, Gulf and Atlantic ports and, above all, from eastern railroads, who fear cheap waterway competition would throw thousands of their employees out of work, even with the Seaway closed during six winter months. But with Franklin Roosevelt’s re-election and a Senate more friendly than ever to the White House, from Baton Rouge to Washington goes Louisiana’s Governor, Richard Webster Leche, to carry on in the footsteps of Huey Long, the militant Seaway opposition. With 90 per cent, of the Seaway complete and with only 48 more miles to go, 1937 will see the question again argued and perhaps definitely settled, whether or not the American people are to bring the rich heart of their continent into direct commerce with foreign markets, to link the prairies of the Middle West with the rolling blue waters of the Atlantic.

Researcher Comments

This story was included in Vol.3 No.4 of the US edition.

Keywords

Buildings and structures; Ships and boats; Town and country planning

Written sources

Monthly Film Bulletin   Vol.4 No.38, 28 February 1937, p24.
The March of Time Promotional Material   Lobby Card, Used for synopsis

Credits:

Production Co.

Time Inc.