The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-09-10
UPPER RIVER TO
COME TO ITS OWN
Congressman Who Inspect the
Mississippi Are Impressed
by Needs.
APPROPRIATIONS FOR
RESERVOIRS AND DAMS
Waterpower Possibilities of Meek
or Island Dam to Be
a.. Developed.
From The journal Bureau, Colorado Building,

From The journal Bureau, Colorado Building,
Washington.
Washington, Sept. 10.-Reports
which come from the west are to. the
effect that the Mississippi river. from
st. Louis to Minneapolis, will receive
better treatment in the next river and
harbor bill, as consequence OF the
recent visit of the rivers and harbors
committee last month. The late trip
was the first made by the. members OF
that committee as an official body, and
every member of it paid close atten-
Those who have talked with the con-
gressmen since say that they. were
much impressed with the need for an
intelligent and comprehensive plan for
Improving the upper river, and 1T IS
@st improbable that some authority
Abe subject with view to deepening
yhe channel so that it will accommo-
date boats of deeper draft and greater
tonnage.
Upper River Neglected.
That the upper river has been neg
lected, more thru Ignorance than from
any other cause was admitted. Money
heretofore appropriated has been, for
single projects, but nothing has been
done for the upper river as a Whole.
Representative Burton OF Ohio, the
self Chairman in fact. He travelled
most of the way from st. Paul to st.
Louis in the government engineer s
boat, and did not hesitate to stay up
late at night or get up early IN the
morning to inspect particular stretches
of the river where the most difficult
problems have been encountered. tie
was continually asking questions about
q. the condition of navi cation at ali times
of the year, and obtained lot OF IN
formation on the present and prospec
tive conditions of the commerce OF the
river at all seasons. The data he gath
cred will be used next winter when thu
committee drafts it's bill for presenta
ton to the house.
No Promises Made.
Of course no promises were mad
about appropriations at any OF tn
places visited by the committee, bu
The general Impression gained by thos
who talked with the members was tina
the upper river would be given NOR
consideration than it has had in tn
past. -s5 H.. ..L,s.., &s.-....
voirs at the headwaters Of the Missis
sippi and the locks and dams at Meek
er island, will result in appropriation
to complete both these projects: 20
the first $2O5,O0O will be required t
convert all the dams from, wood yood It t
has been asked for by the local ,e1
gineer While it is doubtful whethe
either of these projects would pc al
thorized if the committee had to tax
them up as new matters, now that the
have been begun enough money WILL {
supplied to complete them.
The waterpower possibilities or tt
Meeker island dam were brought
the special attention of Chairman Blu
ton and other members of the COMM
tee. This put them in a frame of. min
to accept the suggestion made by Repr
sentative Stevens of st. Paul for tt
utilization of this power in the gen
ration Of electric light and power Il
Government use in the federal building
In the twin cities and at Fort Snellin
Stevens Has Plan.
Representative Stevens has a plan f
the appropriation of a sufficient su
to construct an electric plant for tt
purpose, which will result in a decid
saving of money. He has figured tn
the interest on the capital necessary
construct this electric plant would n
nearly equal the amount the governme
is now paying for current IN the thr
places named.
War department officials would I
doubtedly approve an appropriation
This purpose, as it would be part
repayment of the large sums expend
for the locks and dams.
Mr.. Stevens outlined this plan to
secretary of war last winter, and
SUGGESTION met with instant approx
He will press it on the committee NJ
H. @. Stevens