The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1916-11-15
Flood Control Congress De-
clares for Joint Action
in Stopping Floods
LITTLE HOPE OF U. S. AID
Scheme of Making Vast Res
ervoir Out of Traverse and
Big Stone Approved

|
such tremendous damage, was approx
ed by the Tri- State Flood Control con-
gress in resolutions adopted at the
CLOSING session yesterday afternoon.
| To all intentS and purposes, the
congress abandons hope of material
federal aid in obtaining a solution OF
its flood problem-the whole matter
reverting back to the land owners in
the affected districts-upon whose pos
sessions levies proportionate to the
benefits, would be taxed.
| A joint commission. created by the
three states through legislative enact
ment in each of the states, is proposed
as the body to handle the project-and
a system Of impounding reservoirs,
with the creation of Lake Traverse
and Big Stone lake. as a vast area for
controlling the headwaters of the Red
river and the Minnesota river. is de-
clared the most feasible means Of OBJ
ttaining relief.
The Organization.
The permanent flood control con-
Igress organization follows:
President A. B. Kaercher. Orton-
willie, Mimi; vice president, H. F.
Emery, Fargo; treasurer, A. l. Hunt
Ter, Grand Forks; secretary J. P.
Hardy, Fargo.
Executive committee-H. F. Emery,
Fargo; A. B. Kaercher, Crtonville,
Mimi; F. w. Murphy, Wheaton, Mimi;
A. l. Hunter. Grand Forks; J. A. Gold,
Big Stone City; Leslie Welter Moor
head; J. P. Hardy. Fargo; D. p.
lO'Neil, Thief River Falls. Mimi; F.
Z. Cliff. Ortonville; DR.. l.. A. Fritchie,
New Ulm, Mimi; S. E: Oscarson,
White Rock, S. y.
Legislative committee-A. G. Divet,
Wahpeton; F. L. Cir. Ortonville;
Charles Loring. Crookston, and the
attorneys general of Minnesota, North
Dakota and South Dakota.
The committee on organization that
brought in the report by which the as
sociation was made permanent was
made up of Lynn ]. Frazier, governor
F'ritchie. H. w. Gearey of Fargo and
d. j. Leary
Reservoir System.
In working out a reservoir system,
the suggested plan regarded as most
feasible included the creation of a
single dam out Of the Big Stone lake
and Lake Traverse. This would in
volve the construction of, a canal be-
tween the two lakes. Estimates place
the cost of the work at about 5000 900
This reservoir would care for all the
waters of the Bois du Sioux river.
In addition, plan calls for the Gre
alton of a canal from tlIe Otter Tail
lriver to Lake Traverse, emptying that
stream into the reservoir.
Another reservoir would be estab-
lished on the Lac Qui Parle lake, on
, the Minnesota river.
The legislative program, as outlined
requires joint action by the three
, states-such action to create the COM
mission, give it the power of making
contracts, and Of assessing benefits
I against the land.
From the federal government, leg
: islation that would permit the three
states to construct the reservoir sys.
tenn, would be essential
So far as government aid Is con-
= cerned, 1T was not regarded as likely
that any substantial benefits could be
obtained from that source.
A preliminary compilation of all
= surveys made up to the present time
however, was approved-such compil-
alton to be made by the drainage divi-
sion of the federal government-the
! valley making only $4,000 contribu-
ton to the fund. All told, the cost OF
the work is fixed at $4,000. The dele
gates attending created the $4,000
fund. "
, The resolutions adopted follow:
! Whereas, thousands upon thousands
of acres Of the most fertile lands of the
, three states of Minnesota. and the Da.
:
partially and in some instances wholly
= valueless for agricultural purposes, du,
. to flood conditions;
Whereas, the future prosperity O.
4 lour states in large measure make /
: imperative that some immediate far
reaching and effective steps be takeI
to reclaim this vast area of productiy,
soil, and insure its future safety from
inundation and damage by food
Therefore, be 1t resolved, that tn,
Tri-State Flood Control congress nov
in session in the city of Farg
. recommend and endorse the followin,
program of legislation by the state
and by congress:
Resolved, that we favor joint actor
of the states of Minnesota, North Da
. kota and South Dakota for the i'm
provement Of the boundary waters o
said states, and the waters connecte
Herewith or tributary thereto, an
which are within the boundaries of sal
states, and for the control and preven
2 ton and control of floods thereof, an
\ in that behalf we respectfully recon-
mend as follows:
. First an act of congress authorizin
d an agreement between said states 70
]. such join action, and creating a fed
eral waterways and flood control com
= mission, with jurisdiction in sal
:, states, whose duty it shall be to stud
the problems involved and to max
q surveys for such workers or project
4 as be recommended by them. and
:, authorize the cooperation of the wa
u department and corps of engineers tn
D. reclamation service, and other tech
T nical bureaus and the federal govern
! rnent in such work, and also to emplo
- engineers and necessary assistantl
> from civil life, and to make report
/ and recommendations for ways an
ar means to carry out the purpose a
, above Indicated; ,
y Second, that we heartily memorable
ID the governors and legislatures of sal
Z. states to enact necessary legislation o
!. the part of said states;
Third, that Representatives Steener
son and Volstad. Minnesota, be and al
iS hereby requested to prepare imme
m diately a bill for introduction in con
ia gress to carry out the general recon
! mendations herein contained;
= Fourth, that the senator's and repre-
vi sentatives in congress from said state
Is be and they are hereby requested, I
8. CO. operate In securing from congres
= the measures herein suggested:
y Fifth, that the commissitHl on legis
r Iation Of this oganizatiop be and til
?, same is hereby directed from time [
" time to pepare such bills and sugges
tions for legislation, and submit IL
ia same to proper authorities for cor
4. sideration and action;
Be it further resolved, that we deer
as the effective of means OF correctin