The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1901-07-27
PLANS.
Congress VIII BE Asked to Assist In
thA Matter. F

ADXS AD0 <A0ASSA ~ ~01AD& -
the Natter.
The attendance at the first days ses.
sion Of the Tri-State Drainage and Ca
nal association. at Fargo. was not as
large as had been expected. and after q
meeting in the afternoon and the deter
mination on Senator Hansbrough for
permanent presiding officer. an ad-
journment was taken until Monday.
when several prominent men have sig
uiied their intention to be present.
Among those present were Senator
Hansbrough Of North Dakota, Con-
gresham Burke Of South Dakota end
Congressman Lacy of Iowa. Mr.. Lacy
il chairman Of the public lands COM
mittee of congress, end his presence
was peculiarly fortunate, as 1t may be
necessary to secure concessions from
his committee II the reservoir plan Is a
success.
On Tuesday there was a larger at
tendance.
After the proposed plans of the asso'
citation were outlined by Secretary KEEL
sey, a number Of interesting addresses
we're made by such men as Ezra G.. VAL
entine, chairman Of the Minnesota
drainage commission; Prof. Hoag. of
the University of Minnesota; United
States Senator McCumber of North Da-
kota; Congressman Marshall of North
Dakota, and others.
Senator Hansbrough, who presided.
was much interested in the possibilities
Of the drainage plans, and thought con-
gress could be induced to assist in the
work on a proper showing. A number
Of Minnesotians were present, and are
even more interested than residents Of
the Red river valley on the North Da-
kota side.
On Wednesday the convention adj
journed, after a number of interesting
speeches had been made. Speaker Dow
ling of Minnesota; H. A. Mayo OF Wal
halla; ex-Congressman Spalding of
North Dakota, and other prominent
men were among the speakers.
Resolutions were adopted reciting
the necessity of some governmental &C
ton and petitioning congress for an ap-
preparation for the purpose of draining
the Red river valley and controlling the
water supply at its sources, to avoid
disastrous floods in future.
The proceedings were ordered pub
lished and, on motion of A. E. Fenton
Of Armenia, a resolution was adopted
calling upon township organizations on
both sides Of the river to contribute
funds to assist in the proper presenta-
ton of the necessities Of the ase to
congress.
The meeting resulted in a fuller and
more definite understanding of the real
conditions and the plans necessary to
prevent the floods. This proposed move.
ment has assumed a more tangible form
and has good hope of success.
The next meeting will be held at
wahpeton, not later than Oct. Is Of this
year..
The prevention of floods and the
drainage of the Red river valley have
had much light thrown upon them by
the survey made by United States En-
gineer w. G. Weeks, under the direc-
ton of Col. William A.. Jones. consists
ing Of q survey Of Big Stone Lake and
Lake Traverse, Minnesota, with a view
to the construction of reservoirs, in ac-
cordarce with the report Of MAJ. Jones
of the engineer corps Of the United
States army Of Jan. 16, 1895. and, (. n this
connection, the map MI, Weeks submit
ted was Of special importance.
Mr.. Weeks proposes to build a dixie
at the north end Of Lake Traverse and
raise the fowage line Of the lake to q
level Of $50 feet above the sea, and at
the south end of the lake he proposes
TO divert the Minnesota river by a short
canal, from Its present course INTO Big
Stone lake into Lake Traverse. Also, to
make a comfortable opening, go that
the Little Minnesota might be dis
-. xl.z.- to- oI1 ahonnn1 into
Big Stone lake when necessary. MI.
Weeks also proposes to make a canal
from Lake Traverse to the Minnesota
river, and thence. through the Old peo
Of the river, into Big Stone lake; by
dredging the Minnesota river a draft OF
four feet Of water could be maintained
between the two lakes. The total ex-
.pense Of the construction OF the system
directly. connected with these two
Col. Jones estimates at $S50,00O. This
would include the expense of q dixie n
lock and dam system at the foot OF Big
stone lake between Ortonville, Mimi,
md Big Stone City, 8. D.
In January, 1876, A. A. Humphreys,
briRadier general and chief of engin-
eers, made q report to w. w. Belkna
then secretary OF. war; OF a survey
by, c.. s., Davis. civil engineer, under
Mai. "a. X. WARREN, then in charge Of
the station. which states. on page ~.
that Lake Traverse and Big Stone lax
could be made into q system OF reser-
yoirs. and practically outlines the same
! which is subsequently, recon-
menided by Mr.. Weeks, :.
Il would eseem from the above that all
$of the United; States engineers tnclud-
ing Col. William A. Jones, Engineer w.
q. weeks, Civil Engineer G. p. Davis.
Col. r. Davenport, Brig. Gen. and Chief
of Engineers "A. A. Humphreys, Will
lam 81. Belknap. formerly secretary OF
Var and a number Of others. that In
every instance the above described sys-
tam has been recommended and ap-
proved. 49,
Mat. q. K. Warren, in 1875. made 9
gerry extensive examination OF the Min
nesota river, and in an essay whicn ne
presented on the subject, he calls atten-
fion 10 a survey which he had made n
siess andsiS67. and to Macomb's survey
made in81S72. and to Longs expectation
- the source OF the river, which wal
made In 1928. 81.
II SEEING that the reporter 2 ex-
pedition. to the source OF q Mllhneso.
Another ssmasher. 4
Ieayenworth, KAN, July 25-Mrs
MARY u. Dickens surprised naiI suo1-
men IN John Beachler's q PoMcy
and smashedSa policy Wnes'
3fnta. a. hundred pieces withla hatcnet
Her boys had gambleds here.
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