St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-01-01
prosecuting the great work entities him to
public thanks.
Imp"orenlene of the Mississippi from the
Falls of s.. 1n'hoay TO ute Dss
Moines Rapids.


Falls of s. -In'hony TO rhe Dss
Moines Rapids.
The improvement of the entire Mississippi
river is Il matter of great interest to Mime
sofa and the Northwest, but most especially
is the improvement of the upper Mississippi
of vital Importance, this portion of the
stream being the connecting link between
the northwest and the great highway to the
sea- Congress has recognized the i'm portance
of this stream by making appropriations for
its improvement, but SO far as the upper
Mississippi river is concerned, the amounts
heretofore granted, while large in them
selves, have been very small in comparison
with the magnitude of the work and the very
important results to be oblained.
Tnr radical improvement of the upper
Mississippi was inaugurated in 1878. Since
that year work has been going on quietly
and steadily, and as rapidly as the available
funds would permit. The work Is being car
ried out under the supervision of the engi-
neer corps OF the army, and the general
plan being followed is the concentration of
the water into one channel by the clos ng of
side sloughs, the bringing of the river 10 Il
uniform width By the construction of dams,
and the protection OF caving shores and
heads Of islands.
There has been expended IN connection
with the permanent improvement of the
upper Mississippi up to the present time,
under the head Of ''Improving the Missis-
sippi river from st. Paul to Des Moines
rapids" distance of sis miles, about ST.
600, 000 and under the head of "Improving
the Mississippi river from Des Moines
rapids to the mouth of the Illinois," 173
miles, about $500, 600.
The results accomplished with this COM
DaratYcy small expenditure have been most
beneficial to the interests of navigation. The
most troublesome Obstructing sand bars
have been removed and in the upper por-
ton of the river the ruling depths hare
been increased about two feet. 1t
is now practicable for the largest
upper Mississippi river steamers to make
regular trips to st. Paul with paying loads.
Contracts can now be made By these carriers
for the open season with certainty that the
same can be carried out. The improvements
already made have greatly reduced the cost Of
transportation and have made possible freight
rates much lower than are practicable with
other than water routes. During the past
three seasons many Of the largest boats
on the upper Mississippi have made regular
trips 10 ST. Paul. Without the improvement
heretofore made by the United States govern
ment it is safe TO say that transfers Of river
frcights at La Crosse with attendant cost
would have been necessary.
To the vast numbering interests Of the
northwest the Improvements so far cannot
but have proved of very great benefit Tne
valuable RATS Of logs and lumber, which de-
pend on the upper Mssissippifor means OF
transportation to the various distributing
points, can now be moved much more
rapidly with far greater safety and at less
expense than was practicable few years
since.
In January, 1881, a committee represent
ing the steamboat and raft interests of the
Mississippi river caused to be prepared and
submitted to congress Il statement in regard
TO the condition of the river, and the i'm
proVements up to that time made. From
this statement the following quotations are
taken:
''The river interest, the men whose capital
is invested in river craft engaged in navigat-
ing the river, unite in tcsLifying to the value
and importance of the work already done by
the government engineers. the system of
improvements established by that depart
ment of government officials, as far as car
Tleu out, Is anu PldStlSdDAI
method Of making the river nayiga0le at or
binary stages Of water. There can be no
doubt but that the commerce OF the great
west has been greatly benefited, and will con-
tnue to be more and mere each year, by the
prosecutiOnof the work as mapped out by the
engineers.
Further evidence of benefits resulting from
the plaus now being carried out are found
in the report Of the select committee APP
pointed by the United States senate in 1888
Their report statts:-F
t'Tho engineer III. sr under whose direc-
ton this entire work was done, and who is
still in local charge. testified that he had
watched care fully the effect Of the improve
III eHts 50 far atte'r pied, and was satisfied
that the results clearly demonstrated the pro-
propriety Of the system; that II has passed
beyond the domain Of experiment, and when
fully carried out will secure Il good, navi-
gable channel at all stages Of the river bed
tween st. PAU aud the mouth OF the lii
nOis river. This testimony would seem 10
be amply sustained and corroberated by that
OF the riyermcn and river residents whose
Interests are involved in good navigation.
With scarcely dissenting voice thest citi-
Zeus un tel in bearing witness TO the value
aud importance OF the work already done by
the government engineers, 10 its cheapuess
aud practicablity, and 10 the large benefits
that have accrued and will continue TO ac-
crue 10 the commerce of the great west by
its further prosecution.
"Tuc present success II the system In nae
is urged 90 the best rrssou why there should
b. no cessation OF the work. Upon this
point there seemed TO be no difference OF
Up MON.
~ # IL
ali the opinions Of the citizens who live
upon the banks OF the upper Mississippi, or
OF the riyermen whose capital is Invested 10
the numerous craft engaged in navigating
thc stream, your committee are persuaded
that Il the work of Improvement Is worth
doing at at alt, it is worth doug we'll, and
that To secure permauency, thoroughness
and economy In its prosecution, uniform
system should be adopted and adhered TO.
Thc system now in use on the river between
the mouth Of the Illinois and 81. Paul, with
the notifications suggested by experience,
seems Ia be adequate to the improvement OF
navigation, aud should. in the judgment Of
your committee. be pushed rapidly % COM
plciion. All completed works have given
good results"
But while so much can be said regarding
work already carried out, it remains as a
fact that the improvement IS 10 its infancy.
What has been accomplished on the upper
Mississippi. simply demonstrates that the ey-
detrimental stage is passed.; that the pans
being followed are correct aud that when
carried To cun pctinu they viii accomplish
all that Is claimed for them, aud that such
comp elton will give 20 The northwest 90 IN
interrupted chauuei so Size sea, free e. all,
and ot sufficient capaciJy to satisfy the needs
OF commerce fay au time; aud With silica 4
line of communication oQen, freight rates
must and viii tie reduced 70 iheIF lowest pos
sihle limit.