Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-03-09
ANALLWATER WAY
Maj. Marshall has q New Canal
Project.
0oHBECrMe THE LAHAHD RIVER.

Secretary OF War Lamont gave his
endorsement to, and sent to the last
congress . plan submitted BY Maj. W.
L. Marshall, providing for . new way
Of completing the navigable connec-
ton between Lake Michigan and the
Mississippi river. In brief this
scheme 10 that water way from Chi
cago to La Sale will form . junction
with the Hennepin canal directly
west to Rock Island and with the
Illinois river, southwesterly to st.
Louis. Maj. Marshall SAYS the To-
cality embraces an important COM
mercial route between the great
lakes and the Mississippi river sys.
tenn, and that the utility and WORTH
ness has long been recognized by
congress. He says that in his opin-
ion, the surveys already made are
In sufficient detail for preliminary
estimates of the cost of any suitable
extension Of the navigation. and of
the Illinois river to Lake Michigan
that does not cover enlargement of
the Illinois and Michigan canal from
Joliet to La Sale. "Pfior to en-
barkment in any such improvement"
he adds. ''it is advisable to secure
the state works along the Illinois
river. and such parts Of the Illinois
and Michigan canal as may be util-
lied; also to thoroughly complete the
lower Illinois river Improvement,
which slowly progressed for 80 years,
resulting in diversion of water traf-
fic to rail-" The expense of q board
Of engineers to look into the matter
IL estimated at $4,000; if detailed
plans are to be made, at SIS, 900. He
likewise suggests that such q board
be appointed.
Maj. Marshall's report is long
and exhaustive. In part he says:
1.-The proposed waterway should be
constructed or extended from Lake
Michigan at the mouth of either the
nate at La Sale or Utica on the ILL
nois river. The routes are of about
equal lengths from navigable water
in the Calumet or Chicago river to
the present head Of navigation in the
Illinois river, 81 miles. The ILL
nois and Michigan canal is now the
only navigable connection and ex-
tends from the Chicago river about
five miles above its mouth to LaSalle.
Four ways Possible.
The major says there are four ways
Of constructing q navigable water
way via the valley of the Illinois
and Des Plaines rivers below Joliet,
practicable at all stages of water.
Firstly canalling past the %
miles where the high water velocities
are decisive.
Secondly constructing the dams
80 high or short that the area of spill
ways shall be small in comparison
with the cress section of the pools,
either Of which mean wide overlooked
area.
Thirdly much charging the ma
turai waterways throughout the
pools by excavation.
Fourth-By enlarging the existing
canal or constructing another
throughout the entire line.
| After an exhaustive discussion of
the Illinois river works, locks, dams.
dredges and canal craft, the major
closes with the remark that the cost
OF operating swing bridges would far
exceed the cost Of operating the locks
without any corresponding advan-
tages for q commercial canal, other
than sentimental. over the part OF
the route where towing on the Mis-.
sissippi river style cannot be ap.
piled. Under the system suggested
BY the major, the Mississippi river
tow boats could then carry theil
tows to Lake Joliet, and there trans.
fer them to more handy things fol
passage through the more obstruc.
tive canal portion OF the route.