Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1909-11-26
APPROVES
SCHEME To LIFT
MISSISSIPPI
Senator Endorses Audacious
Project to Improve Naviga-
ton at St, Paul and North
west.


tSpccLhi totfesD0noence 20 morning SournAiI
st. Paul, Mimi, Nov. 2~4.-Senator
Theodore f. Burton, head Of the
waterways commission, approves st.
Paul's project to lift the Mississippi
river to a new bed and improve the
head of navigation at this point by
the construction of a now channel,
creation of new levees and building
of extensive harbor works which will
make st. Paul the finest port on the
river. Just before leaving st. Paul
for the long trip down river to New
Orleans, Senator Burton said:
1T seems to me that the improve
ments which have been so carefully
laid out are advantageous from EVERY
standpoint. They will give ST. Paul
admira BILE facilities for the handling
of future river traffic, will relieve
railway congestion, and will provide
immense space for warehouses which
must be constructed along the river
when the river again begins to carry
its share of traffic. | am surprised
at the apparent moderate cost of the
work and it seems to me that st. Paul
shows wisdom in planning these
works now, when they can be on
structed cheaply."
This statement though unofficial
indicates that the city will have slight
difficulty in obtaining the consent of
the federal authorities to the changes
of harbor line which are required,
and the removal of a small island
which stands in the way of the new
"a . ult. f~l,xl ,.o, auD...1 -,
the governments existing improve
ments at st. Paul, belongs to the gov
eminent and should in the opinion
of the city harbor commission be re-
moved by the government. The cost
of the entire work is now estimated
at something more than $4,000. 900.
The original plans have been changed
in favor of a more gradual bend
through the proposed new channel,
which will be cut through low lands
on the south side of the river oppo
site the main business district OF the
city. The low cost is made possible
by the character of the land to be
taken, all of which is at the present
time inaccessible, and little of which
is used for business enterprises OF
consequence.
The present turn of the river with
in the district covered by the pro-
posed harbor improvements, is very
sharp. Members of the commission
agreed after inspecting the district
that the new channel, with n more
gradual curve to the channel, will
provide a better current, tending to
maintain a better channel. The sides
of the made channel will be pro-
tected by rip-rap and concrete, Civ
ing the river a better bed than 1t has
at the present time.
Senator Burton was much interest
which it may be possible to divert TO
the river. and made searching inquir-
les into the present wheat and flour
of the northwest, their
routing and the volume exported. He
also inquired into the northwest's
coal supply to ascertain what amount
of the annual consumption is drawn
districts such as an improved
would maxi it possible to divert
shipments to the river. With other
members of the commission he in
puiItu INTO lnC iiS movement VI
local package freight and the present
passenger business on the river. The
evidence obtained indicated that there
Is much business for the old Missis-
sippi, ono its channel can be made
At all times during the
season of navigation. Much business
Is now lost to existing river lines be-
cause the upper river stage of water
is very frequently so low as to delay
boats, and prevent the rigid
of their schedules.
The commission was given a large
amount of information as to the pack
lines now engaged in trade on the
upper river. the amount of freight
moved and the number and kind of
boats engaged in other business. This
lata will be used by the commission
it moves down river In making in
5estigations at other ports, which.
complete, will afford a complete
ndex to what the river is doing in
/ traffic way, the difficulties at pres
mt encountered by reason of the
'hannel depth and varying stages of
water, and the traffic lost through in
to handle it under present con-