The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-07-27
READY. ]. FOR R Fight G;
FOR RESERVOIRS
Representative Stevens Hopes to
.show Congress the River Sys-
= tenn Is Necessary, i
BY W. W. Jermane,

Washington, July 27.-Since coming
to- Washington, Representative Stevens
of St. Paul has been made aware, Of the
fact that the opposition in the, north
west to the reservoir system of the
upper Mississippi river is preparing to
make itself felt ina congress next ses-
sion.
The attack on the system will prob-
ably take the form: of a joint resolu-
lating the flow of water from the reser-
voirs. This resolution will, of course,
be Of character to destroy the use
fulness Of the reservoirs.
Mr.. Stevens is enlisted for the war,
and when congress meets he will take
off his coat and go to work. He seems
very hopeful. Recognizing that there
will be desperate, effort made to de-
stroy the reservoirs, he still believes
that when the situation is explained to
the leading members of congress, the
quite out Of the question. He thinks
that the arguments are altogether with
those who believe that the reservoirs
should stand, and while there will be a
divided delegation from Minnesota, that
the reservoirs will be permitted to
stand. @
Board Is Unbiased.
Mr.. Stevens speaks in high terms Of
the board of army officers appointed
to investigate and report to the war de-
partment. The board is disinterested,
and it's report, will be unpreiudiced.
The e. report will be made in the late
Of the case on the ground this summer
and fall Should the report be favor.
able to the reservoirs, congress will be
very unlikely to 5interpose any obiec-
tions.
Yesterday and today Mr. Stevens has
talked over the reservoir question with
army officers of the engineering corps,
and before he goes away he will have
the entire case laid before the depart.
ment, as seen from his point of view.
The Lighting Question.
He will not, for the present, push
the question of having the surplus
power generated by the Meeker Island
dam used for lighting the twin cities
This question must now wait until the
reservoir question is out of the way
At the proper time, however, it will be
taken up. When that time comes, con
gressional action will be necessary
There will be a board of inquiry sim
liar to that just, appointed to inquire
about the reservoirs, and if it's report is
favorable, the question Will then be
| passed up to congress, which will be
asked to consent ito municipal use Of the
surplus power at the dam.
Fort Smelling will probably never USE
| more than about l,50 0-horsepower anG
the dam will generate a total of about
| II, 000-horsepower; or quite enough, it il
believed, to light every street Of botf
cities.
Plans for Smelling.
| Mr.. Stevens has some plans in mine
| for additional buildings at Fort Smell
ing, but these will go over until ths
reservoir and Fort Smelling bridge mat
| tiers have been disposed Of. The out
| look for the bridge is very hopeful, ane
| Mr.. Stevens believes an appropriation
can be had from congress, notwithstand
ling the depleted condition of the treas
ury. This will be made possible by tn,
fact that the $4,000 to be set asid,
as the government share of the cost o.
] the bridge, will not be called for fol
several years, by which time fedora