The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-01-17
ON LOCKS And DAMS
Completion Of Works Between the
Twin Cities.
NEW APPROPRIATIONS CALLED FOR
8 the Case Just Laid Before
Congress.

From The Journal Bureau, Room, IS. Post
Building, W0shangton.
Washington, Jan. T.-Early in the
present month Secretary Root transmitted
to the house correspondence relating to
the increased amount necessary for the
completion of the locks and dams between
Minneapolis and st. Paul. That CORE
spondence is now in print and has been
distributed among members Of the rivers
and harbcrs committee, who will consider
the proposition of making an increased
appropriation for the work. There is lit
tie doubt that the appropriation will be
made, but the correspondence will be in
teresting to those who have followed the
work and want to see the Improvement
completed.
Secretary Roots letter is simply one of
transmittal, in which he names the
amounts appropriated and what will be
necessary to complete the project. An
understanding has been reached with the
secretary by members Of the delegation
and, he will not oppose further appropria-'
ton. General Gillespie in his letter. of
transmittal to the secretary of war, says:
Gillespie's Recommendation.
sir-In the river and harbore act of Aug. IS,
1894, congress adopted a project for the i'm
the Chicago, st. Paul. Minneapolis G. Omaha
railroad bridge at st. Paul and the Washing
ton avenue bridge at Minneapolis and in the
river and harbor act of March 3. 1899. the
work was authorized to be prosecuted under
the continuous contract system. The adopted
project was formulated in 1894 and contem-
plated, the construction of two locks and
dams, at total estimated cost of ST. 1866 457
Since the work of construction was COM
menced it has been found necessary and de-
srable to modify to some extent the original
project, for the reason that unexpected and
unusual difficulties, due to natural causes,
have developed at the locality These diff
culties, together with the fact that it has
been deemed expedient to adopt more thor
ough and improved type OF construction and
the further fact that the cost of labor and
materials has greatly increased since the
original estimate OF 1894 was made have rem
dered it impossible. to complete the work
within the said estimate.
During the present year a board of engi-
neers has been constituted, by authority of
the secretary of war. to consider and revise
the plans for the two locks and dams, and, in
a report dated April %. 1901 the board. rec
commended certain notifications, and gave
certain estimates of cost based upon the pres
| ent conditions at the locality and the present
| price of labor and materials. The board es-
! timated that it would cost $685. 900 to COM
| as given in the original project. 1t is be-
| ieved that lock and dam No. / may be built
for similar amount.
| In the accompanying letter, dated Nov. %,
| 1901 from the officer in charge of the i'm
prOvement, it is estimated that the two locks
| and dams will cost 81 ,466, 600 to complete, in
stead Of 81 1G6, 451, the original estimate. This
| is an increase of S299, 543 over the amount
| heretofore pledged by congress, and if the re-
| vised project is to be carried out and the
| work completed it will be necessary for
! congress to extend the limit Of cost fixed by
! the aforesaid acts.
| Major HOxie.s Report.
| Major Hoxie, in his report to General
| Gillespie on the proposed legislation,
! says: .-.Ft%.@' ---
Z Referring to the annual report of the chief
of engineers for fiscal yehr ending June 30,
| 1901, I have the honor to invite attention to
| the necessity for an Increase in the limit of
| cost now permitted by law for the compile
| ton of Improving the Mississippi river be-
| tween the Chicago, st. Paul, Minneapolis &
| Omaha railroad bridge at st. Paul and the
Washington avenue bridge at Minneapolis -
| 1t is recommended that congress be asked to
| increase the limit Of cost from 81, ICE, 457 to
| 81, 466, 900, being increase of 5000 543.
! The following revised estimate is submitted:
For lock NO. . ....................... $5lS ,OO0