Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1885-12-04
H MISSOURI.
Abstract of the First Annual Report
OF the CoInmittee-SnggestiOns for
its Improvement.

its improvement. !,
Washington, ID. c., Dec. 3-The fol-
is an abstract of the first an
nual report of the Missouri river COM
on the improvement of the river
above Sioux City.
The commission recommends that for
the present work be mainly confined to
the construction of dams and the dredg
ing OF shoals on the ''rocky river" above
Carroll. Below that point the snag
boat should be kept at work removing
distinctions, and funds should be pro-
vided therefor. For these purposes, and
for certain experimental dams to be
constructed near Bismarck, the commits
mission recommends an appropriation
of 100000.
For continuing the survey of the river
and for obtaining the data necessary for
a proper study of the important int.
ests committed to their charge, the
commission recommends a separate APP
preparation of $150.00O, which shall also
include the salaries of the commission.
The last river and harbor bill, that OF
July 5, 1884, appropriated $4,000 for a
survey of the Missouri river above Fort
Benton. The COMMISSION having
found no present necessity for such a
survey has held the money and recon
mended it to be re-appropriated and
made available for the survey of the
river below Fort Benton.
The report of Capt. J.. B. Quinn, officer
in charge of the work of improvement
between Sioux City and Fort Benton is
in brief as follows:
The project for the improvement of
the Missouri river from Sioux City to
Fort Benton having been submitted for
the consideration of the commission, 80
much of it as referred to the improve
ment of the rocky portion was approx
ed and the necessary statements of the
funds available for the work we're made
Dec. %, 1884. Steps were Immediately
taken to carry out the designs of the
commission. Dredgers, snag- boats and
and all materials necessary for prose
cutting the work were secured.
The wo k of dam building was carried
on to some extent, but, owing to the
failure OF the last river and harbor
bill, no funds were available for snag.
g1ng. There are a great many snags at
present obstructing the channel, and
their removal is of pressing necessity,
1t liz hopeful that this important work
may be begun next season since the
boat with which to do it is already on
hand. Tt is recommended that as soon
as the ice goes out, the work of smuggling
be begun at Sioux City and continued
up the river till the high water prevents
the boat then to proceed to the upper
portion of the river.
No work upon the sandy portion o
the river has been attempted during thu
last year. Capt. Quinn has a projec
before the commission for improving
it which would require an appropriation
of 100000 for the coming year.
All the work done thus far upon tn
Missouri river, between Sioux City an,
Fort Benton under the direction of tn
commodore is Of a preparatory character
though some improvement" in the chan
mel is already noticeable. Capt. Quinn
thinks that the permanent improvement
of this portion of the river at a yer,
moderate outlay is entirely feasible
As this is the portion that at presen
presents the greatest obstacles to nava
cation it should receive the earliest at
tention.
But while the improvement of the riv
er may admit of slight delay, says Capt
Quinn, it must be borne in mind that a
the country develops the river com
MERGE will increase and o better channe
will become q necessity. The LAM
along the river is not yet occupied
But the brush and timber nov
available for improving the chan
mel will soon be IN the posses
sion of private parties who will exac
from the government its full value ant
in consequence, feasible works of i'm
provement to-day, may for financial rea
sons be impossible in the future. Al
ready the character of the conmerc,
upon the upper Missouri is assuming
feature that points to its permanent in
crease, this feature is the fact that tn,
down river freight is almost equal t,
that carried up stream and bids fair t,
exceed in o short time. The cereal
raised in the upper missouri vale.
are the finest in the world
and the apparently inexhaustible bed
OF coal and iron ore, close to good waite
power, only await development. Thu
cattle and sheep industry is GROWN,
rapidly. 1t Feeds but a casual glance Il
convince n that the possibilities O
this great region have not yet been evel
guessed at. The wild and waywart
Missouri must in time yield to persis
tent but gentle treatment, and develop
into a deep and commodious ayenu
wherein the commerce of this countr,
shall pass securely and economically"
Hendricks Funeral Day in Washing
ton.
Washington. Dec. 1.-The presiden
was not seen by any one outside of tn,
white house family to-day except Secre
| tarias Mapoipp on1 Eod,,ott ~, fo,n,