The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-08-26
A STRAIGHT TIP
ON RIVER TRAFFIC
To Insure Further River Improve
ments, Use What You Now
Tx Have.
RIVERS AND HARBORS
COMMITTEE HERE TODAY
Congressman Are Entertained at
the Commercial Club and
IT, View River Work.

Make use Of the advantages already
created thru expenditure of govern
ment appropriations in river improve
ment and more may be expected.
This Is practically the tip from the
visiting congressional rivers and har-
bors committee to the citizens of Min
neapolis today.
Theodore Burton, chairman OF the
committee, made this. pertinent. re-
mark: "An existing traffic which
gives promise Of increase is the very
best argument for further appropria-
tons, and in case such traffic has
sufficient magnitude to justify appro-
priations, 1t is likely to receive rec
ignition"
That Minneapolis may become the
foot Of upper-river navigation Is also
a possibility which the congressman
unearthed yesterday in their visit to
the headwaters and dams of the river.
From Grand Rapids down 1t Is ex-
pected that minor upper Mississippi
navigation may be resumed, as IN
early days of the state.
When the members Of the commit
tee were approached this morning
relative to the proposed use of the
river to transport flour from Mime
apolls to the gulf, as a relief from
the domination Of railroads, 1t was
stated that the installation Of the
locks and dams at Meeker island was
to bring the head of navigation to
Minneapolis. 1t was intimated fur
Their that the successful installation
Of such river traffic would induce
continued aid from congress. The
committee members believe, from in
formation at hand, that bulk would
have to be broken once on the trip,
however,
Mr.. Burton says that the committee
,t,, he riSy troP fr
problem for long time, and that 1t
is here for information. One object
is for members to learn all they can
today on the subject. Everything in
the way of facts presented to the COM
mittee will be absorbed for digestion.
Long Route Considered.
Theodore Burton, chairman of the
committee, said: "One object Of the
committee in making this trip Is tc
consider whether an appropriation
with view to obtaining a thu chan.
mel from Minneapolis and ST. Paul tc
New Orleans will be <justiiable
There is already a channel from ST
Paul to st. Louis and a fairly deer
channel from Cairo down.
TN looking over the field we shall
of course, notice whether the use O.
facilities already afforded is such al
to Justify continuance Of the work OF
q larger scale.
There was a very interesting hear
ing before the committee last white
in which Governor Van SAINT, Mr.
Boswell Of Quincy, Ill, and Mr.. Bry
son and others addressed the commit
tee on the subject Of inland naviga
ton. This is what has engaged tn
attention of the committee recently
spent several months in Europe las
summer considering the subject o
river navigation there.
1--WE desire also to examine tn
locks and dams between Minneapoli
and ST. Paul. OF course, the objec
of their construction was to brin
navigation up to Minneapolis.
ut would seem to me from our ex
animation yesterday that there is
detached reach of the upper rive
from Grand Rapids down, where, i
time, navigation on small scale Wi
develop. AS far as any Statement
which I can make, nothing can b
more beneficial to those interested i
river navigation to say that congress
will expect the localities where none
Is expended by the government
show their usefulness by taking ad
vantage Of them and developin
water traffic. An existing traffi
which gives promise of increase
the very best argument for furthe
appropriations, and in case sue
traffic has sufficient magnitude
justify appropriations, it is likely
receive recognition"
A Distinguished Party.
The members of the congressions
rivers and harbors committee arrive
this morning over the Great Norther
from an Investigation of the dams
the headwaters Of the Mississippi The
were met at the station by member
of the public entertainment commi
tee Of the Commercial club. At
o'clock they sat down to breakfast tt
breakfast party included: Theodol
e. Burton of Ohio. chairman of con
mittee; Boswell P. Bishop, Michigan
E. F. Acheson, Pennsylvania; De AIN
S. Alexander, New York; J. H. Davit
son, Wisconsin,; Wesley L. Jones, sta
Continued on Second Page.