Evening star., 1909-05-16
State Commission Named.

Tho general assembly or 1lllnOlS having
authorized the appointment Of an inter
nal improvement commission. in Febru-
ary, 1905, Gov. Deneen appointed Isham
Randolph of Chicago, H W. johnson
Of Ottawa and n. NJ. Schmoldt Of Boards
town as commissioners, with Lyman E..
Cooley Of Chicago as secretary.
The commission examined the route be-
tween Chicago and St Louis with great
the history and development Of internal
waterways In the state OF Illinois. In
special message to the legislature
under date OF April 10. 1907. Gov. Deneen
gives the g1st Of the report and recon-
mends that legislation be enacted con-
the powers necessary for the development,
use and distribution Of this water power,
and that no construction OF dams by pri-
vate parties for the creation Of water
out permit, to be granted by the gov
ernor, upon approval and recommended
ton Of a canal commission, and upon
terms making due provision for compen-
sation to the state for tho use OF any
such water power.
provide tor the enlargement OF the cor
porate powers Of the sanitary district
Of Chicago" he said, Ito provide for the
navigation OF the channels created by
said district. and to confer upon the dis
trict the powers necessary to render
available the power arising from the
water passing through such channels"
Constitutional Amendment Adopted.
At the special session Of the legislature
few days after the close Of the Mem
phis convention q resolution was passed
proposing constitutional amendment
providing for the issue Of bonds OF the
state OF Illinois to the amount OF
$2O.OOO.O00 to cover tho cost Of the
proposed waterway, the main argument
offered in support OF the proposition be-
ing the assumption that all the water
power developed should be the property of
the state and that the revenues there
from would ultimately pay the interest
and principal OF the bonds to be Issued.
amendment referred to was submitted
to the people at a regular election and
was adopted by a vote Of 675.S98 to 1884,
296 This completed all the preliminary
steps in the movement and, to carry out
the provisions Of the constitutional
amendment, the two bills referred to
have been introduced and are now pend
ing in tho two houses Of the Illinois legts-
latura
One Of these bills represents the views
eminent engineer. who has been engaged
all his life upon similar enterprises. It
also represents the views Of William
Lorimer. representative in Congress from
Chicago, and g. member Of the commit
tee on rivers and harbors, who has
waterway question and internal improve
ments generally.
The other bill represents the views ahd
policy advocated by ISham Randolph, an
other eminent engineer. who has also had.
a wide experience in such matters and
has been frequently consulted by the
President and Secretary OF War con-
corning the construction OF the Panama
canal. Mr.. Randolph's plan. as develop
ed. provided by Senate bill No. 81. has
the Endorsement OF his colleagues Of the
internal improvement commission and the
approval Of Gov. Deneen.
MI Randolph estimates that the cost
OF constructing q fourteen-fuot waterway
from the Chicago drainage canal at its
present terminus at Lockport, to Utica.
the head OF navigation on the Illinois
river. distance OF about sixty-twe miles,
Will be $20.O00.OOO, and that the
revenue to be derived from the
sooooo % e seaP "fu His 'Ss1eo Ss Is BASED % upon
that assumption. and It provides for the
creation Of ''the board OF commissioners
Of the Illinois Deep aWterway." to
consist Of Ave members, to be appointed
by the governor for terms OF six years. SO
arranged that the term Of one COM
missioner shall expire every year, and
that they shall be paid salaries Of $1,000
each. with the exception Of the chair
man. who shall receive $1,000. An at
torney to give legal advice to the board
is provided for at q salary OF $1,000. and
each commissioner Is required to give a
bond In the sum Of $25.0OO
Proposed $40, 900, 900 Canal.
This board shall be intrusted with the
Duty Of constructing q deep waterway
from Lockport to Utica and Of erecting
and maintaining power plants. to be paid
for from tho proceeds Of tho sale OF the
$4,000, 600 Of bonds authorized to be is
sued by the state Of Illinois at the recent
election. The Randolph bill provides that
these bonds shall be sold to the highest
bidder after advertisement, but not more
first two Yeara after tha act takes effect