Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1911-02-01
cemmi,,sen Plane 20 Hsvs STATE Con.
Neoj All Peusr Sitso-Rspore En-
hedlee Assthods Of censervln9 Sells
and othse Valuable infermatien-A
Comprehensive Work.


provement projected within . han CEN
tury. The report Is in book OF 21o
pages, with numerous maps. tables and
illustrations. In It Is embodied the law
under which the commission acted and
the preliminary report OF voluntary
commission which suggested the work
Tho primary purpose Of those plan
ming the entire work was that OF piAh-
ming for the improvement OF the Oes
Aoiues river. In the main this was 20
provide navigation and water power
below pes Moines. but the inquiry was
extended far above Des Moines. Ihe
commission declares its belief that III
II possible to improve the Dec Moines
river for navigation and that the COST
vill be reasonable in comparison with
the results to accrue" The Iowa report
IN made too early to include the gov
eminent report made last summer.
Hone For Government Aid.
s.rhe state and federal government.
both rich beyond measure, could wen
AFFORD to assist in deepening. widening
and improving the channel OF the Oes
Moines river. This work would Dc
advantageous to the business interests
Of Iowa. and when with 1tS use as q
means Of transportation Is connected
the power that could be developed ZOE
commercial purposes. the results ana
benefits to be achieved are BEYOND es-
innate"
Mention Is made Of the Immense
quantities of corn and other grams
grown in the counties adjoining tne
river. also Of the cement plants at Des
Moines and Harvey, all OF which wouio
be benefited by cheap water tfanspo.-
tation down the river. Afternoon -
called to the fact that the Des MONIES
river, within the memory OF nu.noe.
Of people now living. was consioefeo
n,y;rahle and carried steamers in past
years A letter is included from the
secretary Of the Iowa Manufacturers
Association, showing the value OF
y,ater Transportation In determining
rates.
state to Control Posef1
The commission lays Il down as q
proper policy that the state should
Own and control all water power that
might be developed at the government
dams to be built along the river pc
tween Des Moines and keokuk, and the
state should contribute toward the
cost of the land. easements and now
age rights. that are required 1or tne
fun Improvement Of the stream on the
condition that the government make
all necessary Improvements. build all
locks and dams, operate them. ana
keep the river in repair.
The commission recommends that the
Iowa members Of congress urge an ap-
preparation for the purpose or remove
ing obstructions and for instituting
nroceedings to determine the navdgabii-
1ty Of the river.
The report includes an extensive
chapter on the present water powers OK
the state, with tables showing what Is
actually being done on the various
river. OF the .tate. The number OF
these water power plants Will surprise
most persons. There Is also much as
cussion Of the possibilities and value OF
reservoirs and dams in the rivers Tor
Increasing the flow Of water In the
rivers when needed. A survey was
made OF the Boone river, especially, 70
determine what might be done Tor Sc
curing water power on a typical stream.
Conserving The Soils.
Another part of the report Is devoted
20 methods OF conserving the soils OF
Iowa. In this is a discussion OF me
great value of rotation OF crops ana INC
importance Of raising crops to be turn
ed under and the methods OF restoring
elements to the soil. Some parts or this
will probably raise discussion az 70
methods OF soil management. Atten-
ton Is called to the great Importance
of saving the soil in view OF enc IN.
creasing need Of food stuffs.
A chapter ds devoted to drainage ana
in this is given the results OF drainage
survey OF northern Iowa counties made
under government supervision, also
much practical information as to how
to proceed with the proper DRAINAGE OF
Iowa farms. Illustrations show large
dredges at work and methods OF con-
structing tile bitches.
There arc also chapters on the con-
seryatiou Of the woodlands and OF
lakes.
Tho report VIII be distributed among
the legislative members and others IN
terested ana IS intended to form the
basis for much legislative action In the
future. Il Is not contemplated that tho
legislature win be asked to make an
appropriate to continue the commits
sion, which 81 now out Of office by the
terms Of the oct creating 1t.
CHANGES IN AMES FACULTY.
Or. H;bbard Gees 20 Washington, o. c.
On Extended Leave Of Absence.
Ames Fob AT q meeting Of the