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° Presideiit Harrison on the Ganal Toll Question. President Harrison's message to Congress on the question of reciprocity contains the following of special reference to the canal toll question: "Tt will be noticed that Mr. Blaine reports as one of the re- sults of the conference, 'an informal engagement to repeal and abandon the drawback of 18 cents a ton given to wheat (grain) that is carried through to Montreal and shipped therefrom to Europe. By the American railways running from Ogdensburg and Oswego and other American ports the shippers paid the full 50 cents a ton, while in effect those by the way of Montreal pay only 2 cents. It was understood that the Canadian commission- ers, who were' all three members of the cabinet, would see to the withdrawal ot this discrimination.' From the report of the re- cent conference by Mr. Foster it will be seen that the Canadian commissioners declare that this statement does not conform to their understanding, and that the only assurance they had intended to give was that the complaint of the government of the United States should be taken into consideration by the Ca- nadian ministry on their return to Ottawa. Mr. Foster, who was present at the first conference, confirms the statement of Mr. Blaine. "While this misunderstanding is unfortunate, the more se- rious phase of the situation is that instead of rescinding the dis- criminating canal tolls, of which this government complains, the Canadian ministry, after the return of the commissioners from their visit to Washington April 4, reissued without any communication with this government, the order continuing the discrimination by which a rebate of 18 centsa ton is allowed upon grain going to Montreal, but not to American ports, and refusing this rebate even to grain going to Montreal, if tran- shipped at an American port. The report of Mr. Partridge, the solicitor of the department of state, which accompanies the letter of the secretary of state, states these discriminations very clear- ly. 'That these orders as to canal tolls and rebates are in direct violation of Article 27 of the treaty of 1871, seems to be clear. It is wholly evasive to say that there is no discrimination be- tween Canadian and American vessels, that the rebate is allowed to both without favor upon grain carried through to Montreal or transhipped at a Canadian port to Montreal. The treaty runs: 'Io secure to the citizens of the United States the use of Welland, St. Lawrence and other canals in the dominion on terms of equality with the inhabitants of the dominion. : "Tt was intended to give to consumers in the United States, to our people engaged in railroad transportation, and to those exporting from our ports, equal terms in passing their merchan- dise through these canals. This absolute equality of treatment was the consideration for concessions on the part of this govern- ment made in the same article of the treaty and which have been faithfully kept. It is a matter of regret that the Canadian government has not responded promptly to our request for the removal of these discriminating tolls. The papers submitted show how serious the loss inflicted is upon our lake vessels and upon some of our lake ports. "In view of the fact that the Canadian commissioners still contest with us the claim that these tolls are discriminating and insist that they constitute no violation of the letter or spirit of article 27, of the treaty, it would seem appropriate that congress if the view held by the executive is approved, should with de- liberation and yet with promptness take such steps as may be necessary to secure the just rights of our citizens. In view of the delays which have already taken place in transmitting this correspondence to congress, I have not felt justified in await- ing the further communication from the government of Canada which was suggested in the recent conference. Should any proposition relating to this matter be received it will be im- mediately submitted for the consideration of the senate; and if forwarded within the time suggested will undoubtedly anticipate any final action by congress." The President enclosed a report from Secretary Blaine and also one from Mr. John W. Foster on the subject. Among the numerous congresses which will be held at Chi- cago during the world's fair is one on water commerce. It is believed that no difficulty will be experienced in making this congress international in character, as water transportation is a subject of supreme interest to nearly every nation. John C. Dore, of Chicago, is chairman of the committee which is pro- moting the proposed congress, MARINE REVIEW. Contract for a Big Steel Steamer. Mr. F. W. Wheeler of West Bay City was in Cleveland Tuesday and closed a contract with the Mitchell Transportation Company for a steel steamer that will rank among the class of modern freight carriers that includes such boats as the big Min- nesota steamers and the steamer Gilbert, recently launched by F. W. Wheeler & Co. The new boat, to be 345 feet over all, will in dimensions be a duplicate of the Gilbert. Her engines will be of the triple expansion type but not so large as those of the Gilbert. They will be duplicates of the engines of the wooden steamer Uganda, but the boiler power will be 25° per cent. greater than that of the Uganda. The policy of increased - boiler power without increase in the present size of triple expan- sion engines is meeting with favor among builders and owners who have given the subject careful attention. ; Average Adjusters' Rules. Following are the rules of practice adopted by the Board of Lake Average Adjusters, organized recently in Detroit: Valuation of vessels for contributory purposes--That in all cases the valuation of the ship for contributory purposes be ar- rived at either by a survey under oath made by the representa- tives of the hull and cargo interests, or by mutual agreement of those interests; or by a certificate of valuation made by disin- terested experts selected by the adjuster under oath. Value of spars, sails and rigging to be contributed for in general average, where same have been carried away by a peril of the sea, and afterwards cut away by master in general inter- est--Running rigging and sails not split 33% per cent. of cost; standing rigging 50 per cent. of cost; blocks 70 per cent. of cost; iron work 80 per cent. of cost; spars not sprung 100 per cent. of cost. 'The amounts resulting all to be carried in the usual column of new for old. Partial transhipment of freight--That in case of partial transhipment which transhipment shall have been made to avoid greater expense, which would properly be a general average charge, the freight on such transhipment shall be allowed in general average as a substituted charge. Grouping of accounts with but one amount extended -- That no single item in an adjustment shall include more than one account Collecting commission--That no collecting commission shall be allowed or other similar allowance be made, except in cases of steamers with general cargoes and a large number of consignees. Contributing value of freight where part jettisoned--The contributing value of freight where jettison has taken place shall be full freight on that portion contributed for, and one- half freight on that portion earned. Another Rapid Fueling Dock. Another coal dock with chutes for rapid fueling of vessels will be established on the Canadian side of the Detroit river near the town of Sandwich, above Manhattan Beach. 'The owners will be the Cuddy-Mullen Coal Company of Cleveland and John Mullen of Amherstburg, who has been engaged in the coal busi- ness on the Detroit river for a number of years past. 'The property, already purchased at a cost of about $8,000, has a frontage of 600 feet on the river and plans have been made for a dock, trestles and other parts of the plant to cost in all about $30,000. The projectors propose to handle Youghiogheny coal and will have a slip dredged in the rear of the dock, so that the coal can be supplied to the chutes from cargo vessels without interfering with the work of putting the fuel aboard steamers on the river side of the dock. A revolving derrick with a lone arm will remove the coal from cargo vessels to the dock. . Send 20 cents in stamps for Tabulated S tate= ment showing Lake Superior ore producti 1891, and the past 36 years. a i ail ae i i tel i oa ei Pee