The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-09-13
ests presented their statement in be-
half Of the reservoir system and the
nrasant no1icxy
Stevens DEGREES Opposition.

| "
Congressman L. G. Stevens presented
a statement in behalf Of the st. Paul
Commercial club. He said that he was
glad no one had taken the stand that
the reservoirs should be abandoned. st.
Paul asked only for the retention of
the reservoirs. They did not desire to
interfere with their management, but
were willing to trust the engineers Of
the war department to reconcile the
various interests. st. Paul had no man
ufacturing interest in the river, but
only the interest of this section of the
country. The hearing had displayed the
Importance of the retention of the res
ervoirs, and it was time that agitation
for their abandonment be stopped. In
terests depending on the river are grow
ing, and they should be assured Of a
uses Of the river for navigation are
enormous. The agricultural products CT
the section benefited are valued at
$370s00O,000 for an average year: The
manufacturing establishments directly
affected produce an annual output worth
$500, 100000, and have .payrolls of $780,
100000 year; The river as it stands
rates. Rates to St.. Louis, compared
| with rates on all-rail lines, are much
| less. The all-rail rates are one-half to
| two thirds more. The railroads along
| the river, where there is water compe-
| tition, are much lower than those on the
overland lines for the same distance,
the difference also amounting to one,
year about 100000 carloads of freight
were delivered in the twin cities and
Minnesota Transfer, rates amounting to
| $6O,OOO,OOO. The reduction Of rates on
such volume of business is a vast con
sideration. The river is rad!atlng
factor in all western rates. Oriental
| products are brought east by rail thru
the twin cities, and distributed thru St.
Louis and Louisville to the south, be-
cause of the advantage Of low rates to
| river points. Freight runs down hill
like water, and products of the, Mis-
sissippi valley are more and more being
exported by the gulf ports. This means
decreased rates and higher prices TOT
all products. = 80
end navigation above Lake Pepin. Ii
would end the present advantage re
ceived in low transportation rates. Inc
DEVELOPMENT of a six -foot channel II
the upper river would vastly INCREASE
the manufacturing Importance OF this
|region. With the reservoirs retained
this plan may be followed out: Ever
direction are fixed by the barge rate
from St. Louis to New Orleans.
In reply to G. c. MCCARTHY Of Grant
Rapids, Mr.. Stevens said the st. Pau
people had no objection to, their re
quest for larger supply Of water 81
as to give them navigation.
Used to Keep Rates Down.
G. S. Kathan of Aitkin asked MI
Stevens whether he meant that tn
river should be maintained as men
ace to the railroads.; not necessaril.
for traffic, but to keep down railroa'
rates.
"Yes,' replied the congressman
"that is just it. That has been tn
policy Of the government for NOR
than half a century, and more than
thousand million dollars have bee
spent on our waterways to keep dow
rates. Every year, under the diree
,, ton Of congress, $50 100000 are spen
i, for that purpose
;, Further appearance for st. Paul wa
made this afternoon by Major Esp
! and former Lieutenant Governor G. s
Ives, who introduced statistics on tn
Importance of river navigation to con
merce and industries Of the northwes