Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-02-23
STATE READY TO
BUILD WATERWAY
SUPREME COURTS FAVORABLE
RULING MAY HELP CHANGE
WAR DEPARTMENTS ATTITUDE
TOWARD DuNNE PLAN.

TOWARD OUNNE PLAN.
/ Actual work of construction on
waterway and power development in
the Joliet territory may be started
this year.
! Just as soon as Governor Lowden
gives the word. under the decision of
the state supreme court yesterday.
which held that the Dunno waterway
measure is constitutional. active OPP
erations will be possible. The steps,
in brief, are:
Sale Of s5,00o,0O0 in bonds au-
thorized for this project.
Definite agreement in the plans
for this territory, taking into
consideration the move on the
( pars of the sanitary district of
Chicago to build the Joliet por.
tion Of the waterway.
Preparation Of revised speci-
fication, maps and other con-
struction data.
Advertising for bids for con-
struction work and award OF
contracts.
Just how much progress can be
made in this program is yet to be
determined. Governor Lowden has
announced he will give the new wat
erway project consideration just as
soon as his consolidation program for
the state departments has become a
law.
"Wc Are Ready Now"--Drcw.
Samuel J. Drew, Joliet memeber of
tho waterway commission, declares
the organization is ready to act to-
morrow, il it is given authority The
waterway commission is abolished In
the new merger plan at Springfield,
and the administration of the duties
of that commission will be in charge
of superintendent of waterways in
the department of public works
TO what extent this will affect the
activities of the Dunno waterway
commission in carrying out the plans
on which that body has been at
work fer over year, is not certain.
The members OF the commission
have requested an audience with
Governor I.owdcn next Monday. II
this is granted, detailed plans for the
work In Joliet. as we'll as on other
portions of the 65 mile strctch be.
tween Lockport and Utica, will be
laid before the chief executive, and
he will be asked to authorize a pro-
gram Of work.
The work which we have done,
largely of our own initiative, and
largely at our personal expense" "
said Mr.. Drew today" gives the state
working plans available for start
on the channel tomorrow. Most of
the engineering details have been de-
termined We have made surveys,
ani maps and blue prints have been
prepared.
Federal Opposition Not Feared.
we have not been worrying over
the war department permit, as we
arc certain the new waterway and
It's power requirements can be fully
maintained with the existing flow
without granting any 80. The state
plans for local powe development
in my opinion, are much to be pre-
ferred to those which have been ad
avocated by the sanitary district, and
while am not at liberty to go into
details, it may be stated the cost OF
tho work here will be from $1,000 00O
to $1,500,000 cheaper. with better
protection for Jciet's interests
Street levels will be disturbed yer,
little, and in our plans all necessary
facilities in the way of retaining
walls, sewers and things of that kind
as provided for
Mr. Drew said he could not discus,
the future of the commission, al
Governor Lowden would likely shape
the program. He asserted, however
that the state plans were based or
the recognition of the rights Of Joliet
The Legislature under Governor
Dunno made an appropriation o
) 100000 for getting the work unde
Way This rpprespntpd S25ll 0OO fn
the interest on the $5.000000 In bond
that were authorized for this work
and $4,000 for current expenses.
The interest money is still intac
in tho state treasury. Some Of tn
s500O0 was expended before tn
court injunction at Springfield tie
up the use of the funds. Under tn
decision this money is released TO
: use. It will not be necessary for tn
: state legislature to take any furthe
/ action on the $4,000 900 bonds. Thes
/. can be placed on the market wher
!. ever the state OFFICIALS are read,
: They must be advertised for u pc
h iod of 10 weeks but with their sal
1 assured, the state project could b
!. launched for construction purpose
within the next two or three month
/. 1t Is claimed
/. The War Department will be MOI
(. anxious now than at any previO,
II time, in the opinion of Mr.. Drew,