Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-05-14
NEAR RICHMOND.
Ilriher Improvement Of
konnebec Channel Likely.
bped-tor Additions 10 Good
Work Of Cong. BuTlelgh.
sM 5. S. Company Saves $1,000
Between Gardiner and Augusta.

Washington, d. c., May 13.--(Spe-
|HD.-A further Improvement of the
[ennebec river seems assured by the
Evorablc report that Brig. Gen. w. IL.
|}xby of the army engineers, sent to
BE House, the other day. His recon-
Eendation that s30,500 be spent for the
Improvement of the west channel of
/ g river at Swan island undoubtedly
cans that this sum of~money will be
|lted by Congress and better facilities
Finished for navigation in the viein-
II of Richmond, Maine. As the river
I'D harbor appropriation bill, which
rriss such items, has passed the
ouse and was passing the Senate the
liz that the report from Gen. Bixby
sached the Capitol, the Swan island
|lprovement will hardly be taken up
fore another session. But it is now
e policy to have a river and harbor
u annually and there will be album
mt opportunity to obtain the appro-
lation for this project before March
next. Gen. Bixby found from the
htements that about 1880 annually
pu|d be required for the maintenance
the Improvement.
This project is in line with the bet
ring of navigation on the Kennebec.
|hlch Was taken up years ago by ex-
|Pv. Burleigh. He worked unceasing-
for the maintenance of navigation
this great water way through CEN
li Maine. The engineers of the army
conducting the preliminary exam
|Ftion and survey viewed the situa-
IN with reference to navigation lup
/ Gardiner and Augusta. In the re-
1T to Congress, which is quite
ky document, there is much about
|e shipping up and down the river
d ahan. the cost of transportation
tween Gardiner and Augusta.
lieut. Col. w. +. Craighill, the dis
ct engineer officer. recommends that
|a channel west Of Swan island be
edged to 100 feet in width and to u
e In depth, except at the upper
oal. where the depth should be Is
It. Some repairs must also be made
the existing jetties. The case Was
ide out so well and the necessity of
; Improvement was 50 apparent that
seems to have met with cordial APP
wal frcm all the military authorities,
Guiding the division engineer and
e board of engineers at Washington.
10 pass upon all proposed projects
fore they get to the chief engineers.
" Recommendation as TO cost Is bas-
upon the idea that the whole amount
Auld be appropriated at once, rather
an in ilstallments.
ZEN. Bixby points out that the pur-
Sc of the improvement is to enable
ssels to call at Richmond. Maine.
d then proceed through the western
annel, either up or down the river,
being impossible at present for them
turn IN the river at Richmond. The
stern channel at Swan island has
en improved to a depth of is feet
Re government in years agone has
Po expended some money upon the
lstern channel.
fhe engineers have considerable to
n about shipping conditions on the
lnnebec above Richmond They tell
Nv the Eastern Steamship Co has
70 large boats plying between Boston
a Augusta, touching at Bath. Rich
ond, Hailowell and Gardiner, one the
~ of Bangor and the other the City
] Rockland The report also details
w the steamship company operates
lighter craft between Gardiner and Au-
sta at a maintenance cost Of $4,000 |
ar. hut has recently arranged to con
y passengers and freight between
pse points by trolley. This trolley
fvice will cost about $4,000, which
IN be a saving to the steamship COM
lny of about $1,000 year.
THE further improvement of the west
Iannel at Richmond is commended by
K engineers because 1t furthers. ..as
business proposition the maintenance
a steamship line upon the river,
liich VIII restrain the railroads and
lep freight rates reasonable. So far
this view may be extended adds
e army engineers in their report to
,ngress, which is soon to be printed
a public document, 1.-The Importance
accommodation to this end affects
business on the river from Rich
pnd TO the cities above
LIf the report had come to Congress
month earlier the appropriation prob
Nv would have been voted at this SEES
pm But such reports come along
pwly and many other projects have
Ten left out. this year, because the
ports did not reach the House until
ter the river and harbor bill had
Pen framed and passed.
Representative McGillicuddy, of the
Econd district has been absent from
fushington most of the past week, be-
fContinued On Page Seven.)