Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1909-10-28
CONTROL OF WATER FORCE IN
ozARks RECOMMENDED AS RE-
SUIT OF GOVERNORS TOUR.
TRIP ENDED AT DONIPHAN
Executive says State Should Attempt
to Regulate Timber Cutting In
Order That Supply May
Be Conserved.

Governor Hadlsy is deeply i'm
pressed with the possibilities in the
undeyeloped section of southeast Mis-
souri,, which he visited with members
of the immigration committee, and be-
leves the time is not far distant when
much of it will be settled.
Gov. Hadley says the state should
attempt to regulate the cutting of tim
Der in that section in order that the
supply may be conserved. At present,
much timber is being cut by lumber
companies and individuals, and little
attention is paid to conserving the
supply for the future. The state, he
says, probably has the right to pre-
scribe proper methods of cutting so
the supply, still abundant, may not be
depleted. A state forestry commits
sion with sufficient authority con-
ferred by legislative enactment might
prevent, he says, a wholesale waste of
timber.
Interest was manifested in the trip,
and every spot touched, whether it
was a progressive county seat, a clear
ing in the woods or along the banks
of the Current river.
Gov. Hadley, Chief immigration
Commissioner John H. Curan, M. L..
Holman, consulting engineer of the
Missouri waterways commission, and
Doctor William P. Cutler, state pure
food commissioner, were the lecturers
Of the party.
Interest Is Great.
immigration Commissioner Curran
is enthusiastic over the interest shown
in the exploitation and educational
journey, as he calls it. He foresees
o great influx to the Ozarks in the
next few years.
Current river, one Of the swiftest in
the Ozarks, offers abundant opportu-
mites ito small manufacturers to get
natural motive power at minimum
cost, according to M. L. Holman, of
st. Louis, consulting engineer of the
Missouri waterways commission.
Mr.. Holman cruised down the treach-
rot mountain stream with Gov. Had
ley and other state and railroad Off
cials.
Current river Is not now and prob
ably never will be, navigable for pow
er vessels of even light draught, but
Its crystalline water of undoubted
purity would, Mr.. Holman says, be.
worth millionsito New England wooden
and paper mills or to agriculturists of
Colorado.
The picturesque stream Is now at its
lowest ebb. The velocity of the cur
rent varies, averaging in smooth
water from two to three miles an
hour, and over shoals and rapids from
eight to ten miles an hour.
Even at its present stage there is no
inconsiderable volume of water in
Current river. Springs are numerous
and one of several inspected produces.
according to Mr.. Holman's estimate,
a probable maximum of ten million
gallons a day.
The exploring party took to the
woods after being formally welcomed
and banqueted at Salem, Dent county.
Camp Pitched at Akers.
The first camp Of the party was
pitched at Akers. Tents were thrown
up to house the occupants of the fleet
Of ten flatboats. Gov. Hadley was civ
en- a separate tent, and had as his
guests Vice-President Gray, Of the
Frisco; Pardon Attorney Frank Blake,
Rush G. Lake, Commissioner Wight
man, Engineer Holman, Walter s..
Dickey, of the state waterways com
mission, and w. G. Pierce, of Mary
Vile.
Judge Cox the Host.
Judge James Cox, a resident Of the
Ozark hills for twenty-nine years, was
Gov. Hadley's host at Round Springs,
while the executive awaited the ar
rival of the rest Of the party. The
governors account of the two meals
consumed by him at the Cox home
caused the mouths Of the other explor-
ers to water.
]. B. White. president Of the Salem,
Winona & Southern railway, was at
the head Of the party that came out
to Round Springs, to which a logging
branch Of the line extends. Mr.. White
also is president Of the Missouri Lum-
Der and Mining company, the office Of
which, at Grandin, Shannon county,
has paid out in wages during the last
fourteen years $6,100,00O.
Before the departure Of the Hadley
party for Winona over Mr.. Whites
railroad a goat was sacrificed in honor
OF the first visit of a governor Of Mis-
souri, to Shannon county. John Ste
phens killed the goat, furnished by
Mr.. Hahn. Gov. Hadley went into the