Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1891-07-02
CAPT. MARSHALL'S LETTER.
izing the Cons rue zion OF she Canal
The Esq, n erirE Problem.

The EBg'nf eriEg Problem.
UNITED STATES ENGINEER OFFICE.
Room 90 1874 Van Buren, St, P. o.
Drawer, 1872 CHICAGO. Ill July Ito
Editor of THE ARGUS In your editorial
of the 29th you say: The Davenport
people like the people. as a whole, of
Rock Island, don't care a copper
so that the canal reaches the Mississippi
Rock Island" II may possibly
as the bill provides, sat or near
help clear this unfortunate discussion if
you will be so kind as to say that the act
of September 10. 1890, requires the ter
minus to be at the Mississ ppi river "at
the mouth of Rock river which is a very
different thing than at or near Rock
Island"
If the law had been as you state it,
doubt whether the southern route would
ever have been surveyed. As the law
resds, however, the deepest water in the
Mississippi river aud in Rock river near
It's mouth, absolutely fixes the terminus
at the mouth of Rock river" somewhere
within a radius of probably 200 feet near
the south bank OF Rock river 'at its
mouth"
If anybody can show, as q private en-,
cheering question, in view of the law,
now the northern route" can be used
with certainty to carry seven feet of water
TO the mouth of Rock river" at reasona-
bile expense, or at anywhere near the
same cost eliminating entirely cost of
way, as by the approved route, then I am
perfectly willing that they shall secure a
change of route. but my opinion, has been
exprC 3sed that the only route that can at
reasonable expense with certainty comply
with the law is the southern line, and.
that being the case, as anybody with
| ordinary common sense can see after ex>
aiming the maps of surveys made. can
not understand the opposition and abuse
myself and assistants are receiving from
Rock Island parties. We propose to
neither develop, injCrs, nor destroy water
powers, nor touch property not necessary
for the construction of the canal, but we
do certainly expect to fail to de-
velop private water powers at tse
expense of the United States, and
fail to purchase property of no earth
ly use. or benefit to the puslis. AS
for the water powers. the Cow of Rock
ri7sr over car dams will still coat cue,
and if the owners desire they may develop
it al their own expense, even to the ex.
teRt OF backing out the L. s. dams above
them. proposes at least fosr feet above
any existing dam. The water is still
there. howisg in front of their property
let them use it and develop its power if
it be so very valuable. A half dozen of
your people want something for nothing
and don't see o be in order TO get it. They
are consequently mad. and having money
they make 81 the mischief they can with
it. As for ourselves, we say. when we
have to. our official and disinterested
say. Howsoever the fight does not per-
sonslly N any way concern US. Get your
canal located anywhere. We will build
it as rapidly and in as good form as pos
sible on that location, whether it be a
foolish one or not. We only give our
opinions when wanted, and do our pro-
fessional work as directed. Very re-
respectfully W. L MARSHALL.
Capt of Engineers.