The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1909-06-11
WILL FURNISH DATA
RIVER IMPROVEMENT LEAGUE
SENDS MAN TO CAPITAL.
Propose to Load Him Down With
Facts and Figures Which Should
Convince the Powers That Are
That the Minnesota Ought to Be
Made Navigable; 1t Would Mean
Much to Public.

Much to Public.
st. Peter, June 7.--Officers of the
Minnesota River Improvement league
are soon to send representative to
Washington to appear before the gen
eral rivers and harbors board of APP
peals, and petition that body to order
a survey of the river, an appropria-
tion for which was included in the last
rivers and harbors appropriation bill.
Statistics will be presented showing
that the Minnesota may be restored
as navigable stream, and other figures
will set forth the fact that, by dredg-
ing and strengthening the channel the
government will save farmers along
the valley vast sum of money.
Information has been gathered by
the league showing the amount of
damage done to farm lands in Da-
kota, Hennepin, Scott, Carver, LIE Sueur
Nicollet, Blue Earth. Brown and Rem
vile counties in 1906, 1907 and 1908.
In 1906 the river flooded 1912 acres
of land, in 1907 the total increased to
1880, and last year it reached 3d.
479. The average value of the crops
lost each year was $l63,322, and it is
estimated that the total loss will ag-
gregate at least $l,29O,95O. In ad-
dition the inundated property has de-
preciated in value from so to 80 per
cent, or from $25 to $35 an acre.
Something About Diers.
j. II. Diers of Blakely, president of
the improvement league, has charge of
the work, and has been responsible for
much of the activity of the organiza-
ton. Mr. Diers has had an unusual
and an adventurous career. He was
born near 'Blakely and when youth
of twenty went to Tacoma, worked his
way through college and was gradu-
ated as a civil engineer from Puget
Sound university at Tacoma. After
graduation he worked with the engi-
neering corps of the Northern Pacific
road until 1897 when he joined in the
rush to the Klondike.
He landed on the site of the recent
city of Skagway, and Immediately en-
tered into the freight transportation
business between Skagway and Lake
Bennett, a distance of forty eight
miles. In the early days of the rush
there was an utter absence of law on
the American side of the line, and a
vigilance committee uqwas formed to
preserve order, Mr. Diers being elected
as its chairman That same year he
plated the town of Skagway, and in
1899 was appointed 2, United States
land and mineral surveyor. Suisse
quently he and his brothers published
the Alaska Yukon Mining Journal, a
monthly, and the Daily Guide.
Is An Experienced Engineer.
In 1899 and 1900 Mr.. Diers headed
an exploring party for Close Brothers
of London, England, owners of the
White Pass & Youkon railroad, and
traversed the headwaters of the Yukon
and Mackenzie rivers. Two years later
he was appointed constructing engineer
of new railroad in Oregon, but in
1907 resigned his position to organize
the Coos Bay Trust company at North
Bend Ore. Shortly afterward he re.
turned to Blakely to visit at his old
home, became interested in Minnesota
river drainage and accepted the presi-
dency of the league.
Associated with him are the follow
ing officers: A. L. Poehler, Henderson,
vice president: A. C. Schroeder, Shake
pee, secretary, and c. Fl. Casey, Jordan,
treasurer. They expect to present a
strong case to the rivers and harbors
board of appeals.