The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-11-06
MAY USE DAM POWER
Congressman Stevens Will Ask Ex-
pert Investigation with View
to Using Surplus.
Government Dam May Supply Power
for Lighting the Twin
Cities.

CLUES.
Congressman Fred c. Stevens of st.
Paul left last night for washington to
attend the opening of congress next
week. He will begin active work at
once in the interests of greater Fort
Smelling and adequate communication
between the reservation and both
cities. Mr.. Stevens said to r NE
rna i before leaving:
"One Of the earliest matters which
will be brought before congress will
be the Introduction of the following
resolutions:
Resolved. by the house Of representa-
tives of the United States of America.
that the secretary of war be and is hereby
instructed to investigate and report to
the house Of representatives as soon as
practicable concerning facilities for COM
munication and transportation Of troops
and supplies at Fort Smelling, Mimi, and
in such report consider the following:
F'irst-Whether the present means OF
communication and transportation are
sufficient for the military purposes Of the
reservation.
across the Mississippi river be sufficient,
or II not, whether it can be strengthened,
widened and improved; as to afford ade-
quate means of communication and trans
portation and II So transmit an estimate
as to the expense thereof; If that be not
expedient transmit such a plan for i'm
| provement as shall best and most eco
nomically serve the purposes of the reser-
walton. ~ Sfs4s l4a
This will bring before congress the
question as to whether it is necessary
to have new bridge between st. Paul
and Fort Smelling
This resolution will probably be
| a in, f.
ter referred by the war department to
| General Kobbe for careful investiga-
ton and report.
"The government will hesitate to ap-
propriate the amount for building a
new bridge when other interests will
be so largely benefited by it. The rapid
transit company will use the bridge
for one of it's interurban lines and has
signified it's Willingness to contribute
| to the cost. The railroads are con-
sidering the proposition also, and by
the time the resolution passes con-
gress will have reached some conclu-
sion.
Problem of Surplus Water.
"Of equal interest and Importance
is the consideration of the use of sur
plus water of the locks and dams be-
tween st. Paul and Minneapolis for
power purposes Three hundred thou
sand dollars is needed to complete the
two dams and $205,000 more is needed
to complete the reservoir system in
the upper Nississipp.
when completed this system will
add a foot at low water to the navi-
gable stage of the river. Whether Oh
not the surplus water will supply
power from these dams is not known
There will probably be considerable
surplus available. The United States
expends in ST. Paul for lighting and
heating it's buildings $4,000 annually
there Will be required at Fort Smelling
an expenditure of at least $4,000 6
year for power and light. and of $4,000
a year at the new Minneapolis fedora
building.
with this large expense it is prob.
1 able that congress will require tina
! this be thoroly examined and to thai
end if the river and harbor bill passes
this session shall introduce a resolu.
! ton requiring an investigation as tt
whether surplus water will be avail
able for power purposes. This resolu
ton will provide for the appointment
of a commission composed of one Of
ficer of the corps Of engineers Of the
United States army and one officer o.
the quartermaster's department of the
United States army, both of whom
shall be designated by the secretary
of war. and one official of the treasury
department who shall be an expert II
electrical engineering, and who shall
be designated by the secretary of the
treasury:
This commission shall examine ant
report upon the following PROPOSE
tions:
Problems for the Commission. h
2First-whether or not there will be an.
surplus water flowing over said dams no
| needed for the purpose Of navigation an,
available for mechanical power.
second-Whether this power or any par
thereof could be economically utilized TO
furnishing the light and power needed II
the buildings and property of the Unite
Smelling, Mimi, and II so to what extent
and what proportion or amount Of tn
, available power could be so utilized.
Third-Whether any Of said power coul
be made available for public use of tn
municipalities Of st. Paul and Minneap
oils for. the purpose Of lighting their pub
lie buildings or streets. and II So to Wl1a
, extent. and how much power could b
made available and could be SO utilized.
Fourth-Report a plan for such improve
, lment and arrangement, for use of sue
, power with said interests as would bes
, subserve the interests first of the Unite
States and second Of the municipalities Q
st. Paul and Minneapolis.
ut will require a year or more 70
the committee to report fully on suc1
an important matter. Many. data hav
: already been collected by Major Hoxie
cit is probable that the dams will
: not be completed before 1906, blu
; some action should be taken this win
5 ter because it will require severa
years to develop the. plans necessar
+ for utilizing the power and maxim
agreements with the various munich
: palities Interested.