The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-01-17
TO HEAD OFF
SAINT LOUIS.
Chicago Sanitary Trustees and
Canal Commission
Hold a Hurried Conference and
Start For LockpOrt
TO OPEN THE GATES.
An Effort to Defeat an tmpend-
ing Injunction.
Joliet Works Not Complete but
Risk Must Be Taken.
The Bear Trap Dam is Lowered
at 11:I6 A. nj.
TO OPEN THE GATES.
Joliet Works Not Complete but
Risk Must Be Taken.

Joliet, Ill, Jan. 17.-Fears of action
on the part of st. Louis to prevent bE
Injunction the raising of the gates cons
trolling the waters Of the Chicago
drainage canal at Lockport caused a
hurried conference between the sani-
tary trustees and the special commis-
sion created to pass on the canal here
early today. The object of the confer
ence was to secure the necessary permit
from the commission. This was secured
and the trustees and commissioners left
a few hours later for Lockport to open
the gates.
The hurried action of the drainage
trustees was the result of movement
on the part of attorneys in Chicago to
secure an injunction from Federal
Judge Kohlsaat restraining the board
from opening the gates of the controls
ing works at Lockport.
The trustees left Chicago on a special
train at an early hour and after a brief
stop here returned to Lockport about
O'Clock. 1t was expected that the
work of opening the gates would not
consume more than one hour.
At Joliet the work is not yet in shape
to receive the full volume of water, but
the trustees decided to take the risk and
avoid the possibility of the opening be-
ing tied up in the courts
1t is probable the gates will be only
partially opened.
THE OPENING.
Lockport, Ill, Jan. 1.-THE bear-trap
dam was lowered at 11:16 a. m. today
allowing the water from the Chicago
drainage canal to flow into the Des
PLANES river. The canal trustees ar
rived at Joliet at 2 a. m. and at 1850
o'clock secured permission from Gov
Tanner to lower the dam. They inn
mediately took a special train and went
to the dam.
President Boldenweck of the trustees
board made a short speech. introducing
Col. Isaac Taylor, of the canal commits
sion.
Col. Taylor made five minute speech
in which he said the opening of the
canal was but the beginning of a great
er work which would connect the great
lakes of the north with the Mississippi
river. He added that he authorized the
trustees on the authority of Gov. Tan
ner to lower the dam.
At 11:16 a. m the dam was lowered
The gates were Immediately opened
and the water rushed through on it's
way to the Mississippi and the Gulf of
Mexico.
TOO LATE.
Chicago Jan. 17.-Attorneys repre-
senting St Louis today made applica-
tion before Judge Kohlsaat of the L. S.
district court for an injunction to re-
strain the board of trustees of the sani-
tary district from turning the sewage
of the Chicago river into the Des
PLANES river. Judge Kohlsaat set Sat
urday, January 20, as the date for hear
ing arguments on the question, when
it. is probable a lively legal battle will
take place.
The bill for the injunction which was
filed last night is signed by Mayor
Zeigenhein of st. Louis. The bill claims
that the waters of the Mississippi will
be poisoned by the sewage of the Chi
cago river; that the waterworkS syS-
tenn of ST Louis, constructed at a cost
of 500, 600 900, will be rendered valueless-
The bill is accompanied by an affidavit
from DR.. w. E. Teychmann, city
chemist of st. Louis, combating the
theory of dilution of sewage in water,
as intended to be applied to the Chicago
drainage canal and claiming the sewage
will pollute the Mississippi river to a
point where it's waters will be unfit to
drink. Gen. Black representing the
drainage trustees gave notice that the
trustees will resist the application for q
restraining order.