The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1909-11-12
APPROVES RIVER NAVIGATION
AND HAR9OR IMPROVEMENT
Especial to Examiner)

st. Paul. MINI, Nov. 11-Senator
| Theodore f Burton, head OF tho
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 new channel,
creation OF new leveeS and building
of extensive harbor works which will
make st Paul the finest port on tho
river, Just before leaving st Paul
for the long trip down the river to
New Orleans, Senator Burton said:
TT seems to me that the improve.
ments which have been so carefully
laid out are advantageous from every
standpoint. They will give St Paul
admirable facilities for the handling
of future river traffic. will relieve rail
way congestion. and will provide i'm
menSo space for warehouses which
must be constructed along the river
wheG the river again begins to carry
its share of traffic. | am surprised
at the apparent moderate cost of tho
work, and II seems TO me that St Paul
shows wisdom in planning these works
now, when they can be constructed
cheaply'
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 chan.
neil This island was created by the
governments existing improvements
at ST. Paul belongs TO the government
and chnn11 I'm ha ,,e IA
harbor commission. be removed by the
government The cost of the entire
work is now estimated at something
more than $4,000 The original
plans have been changed in favor of
more gradual bend through the pro.
posed new channel, which will be cut
through low lands on the south side
of the river opposite 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 lii.
tie OF which is used for business en-,
terprises OF consequence.
The present turn Of the river with.
In the district covered by the proposed
harbOr Improvements. is very sharp
Members of the commission agreed
after inspecting the district that the
new channel, with a more gradual
curve to the channel. will provide a
better current. tending TO maintain
better channel The sides of the made
channel VIII be protected by rip-raF
and concrete, giving the river a bet
ter bed than 1t has at the present
time
Senator Burton was much interest
ed in the character of future traffic
which it may be possible to divert to
the river. and made searching IN.
qulries into the present wheat and
flour shipments of the Northwest,
their routing and the volume export.
ed. He also inquired into the North.
vests coal supply TO ascertain what
amount Of the annual consumption Is
drawn from districts such that an i'm.
proved river would make II possible to
divert shipments TO the river With
other members of the commission he
inquired into the growing movement of
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, once its channel can be made
dependable at all times during the sea
son 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
through boats and prevent the rigid
maintenance of their schedules.
The commission was given 4 large
amount OF information as to the packet
lines now engaged in trade on the up
per river. the amount of freight moved
and the number and kind of boats en-.
gagged In other business. This data
will be used by the commission as it
moves down the river in making in
yestigations at other ports which,
when complete. will afford complete
index to what the river IS doing In
traffic way. the difficulties at pres
ent encountered by reason of the
channel depth and varying stages OF
water. and the traffic lost through in
ability TO handle it under present con-
ditlons.