The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1904-10-16

! other distractions which are permanent II
| the Mississippi close TO the Missouri bank
would be avoided. These have been con
slant menaces TO navigation n the new
IL proposed canal. 1t is said. would avoid
the engineering difficulties which would
the construction OF a deep
! water channel in any other manner. 1t is
also said that the plans include the con-
struction Of a lock and dam between this
city and Alton. and that the report TO the
War Department will recommend that the
lock and dam be constructed.
The proposed canal. which seems TO be
definitely assured. will be the first section
in the construction OF a f~ourteen-foot
channel. which will extend the entire
length OF the Illinois River from the point
where the Drainage Canal of Chicago
pours into 1t until the Illinois Itself flows
into the Mississippi. 1t has been the hope
of rivernen and n~arigatcrs that some
definite action would be eventually forth
coming. which would restore the palmy
days OF river usine and bring 10 the
Ct. Louis river 'front.'. and the whsrves OF
the river cities along the Mississippi and
Its tributaries. the scenes OF years ago
when teamers crow6ed each other for an
opportunity 10 unload ! cargo or pile up
the decks with merchandise and produce.
From a practical standpoint it is said
that the Chicago Drainage Canal. in con-
nect;on with the deep waterway OF the
Illinois. such as the commission eventually
hopes 10 have accomplished. will make a
route between st. Louis ana Lake Mich
igan which would enable vessels OF good
draft to make the trip from ST. Lcui
to the lake with ease. and have the effect
Of making st. Louis and the river cities
between here and Chicago practically lake
ports. This has been urged repeatedly BY
deep waterway congresses and memorials
and petitions Unnumbered have been pre-
sented to Congress with this end IN view.
The announcement as made through the
Mississippi River Commission proves
highly satisfactory and pleasing to those
who have been most interested in the
movement for Improvement OF the rivers.
1t is said that the st. Louis-AIton canal
as provided in the plans. will be much
more than q dredged-out channel Of the
river. The construction will be permanent
ard be a positive beginning of a system OF
improvement of river navigation. which
nay eventually include all OF the great
waterways Of the Mississippi Valley.
The Mississippi River Commission
which has formulated the plans FOR the
canal. and for the general Improvements.
Is constituted as follows: Colonel o. II.
Ernst. Corps OF Engineers. L. s. a, presi-
Robert S. Taylor, Fort Wayne. Ind;
Colonel John A 0ckerson. civil en-
sineer. St. Louis: Lieutenant Colo
mel Henry VI. Adams. Corp of Engineers,
[. S. A; New Orleans: Major Thomas L.
Casey. Corps of Engineers, L. $ A. St
Louis: Henry r. Richardson. civil en-
gineer. New Orleans: Captain William =.
Ladue, Corps of Engineers. L. S. A. St
Louis: secretary and disbUrsing officer
The commission will meet at the Fuller
ton building. November 10. to formally
forward the report OF tn" survey and \
plans. together with an approximation of
the cost OF the canal to the War Depart
meDt. |