The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1927-05-05
Expresses Hope Congress
Will Take Definite Action
on North Dakota Project;
Says Plan Will Help Solve
Southern Flood Problem,
Benefit Farmers of State

Cooperstown. n. d.. May 5.-lP,--
Hope that the Missouri river diver
sion project will be reality sooner
than it's advocates dare to dream was
expressed here today by Gerald r
Nye. junior United States senator.
AS result Of the terrible flow
now devastating the South demands
will be made upon congress next
winter for millions in appropriations
to prevent recurrence Of the dis
aster, Senator Nye believes. and he
hopes to see the Missouri diversion
project passed as one Of the logical
means of flood prevention The. real
protection for the south is the con
servation and control Of flood waters
in the North, Senator Nye said, and
upon that argument he hopes to OBJ
tain strong support for the North
Dakota project.
He already has written letters to
senators and members Of congress in
the flood area pointing out the need
for conservation measures in the
North and suggesting favorable con-
sideration for the Missouri river di-
version project. If the project is
sufficiently far advanced by the time
congress meets next winter Senator
Nyc hopes to see it placed on the list
OF measures for consideration by con-
greSs.
lis National Problem
Thirty or more states are con-
tributing to the loss and suffering
caused by the floods in the lower
Mississippi valley" Nyc said. "The
problem of warding against a rcpcti-
tion of the flood now prevailing be-
come ut once a national problem and
one of great Importance to the gov
crnmcnt.
"Thcrc seems to be general agree
mcnt that the only solution of the
problem lies In q program looking
to the holding back and divcrting of
the waters of streams cOntribut0ry
to the Mississippi at high water
periods. In all probability great
engineering study will be undertaken
by the government without great de-
lay with an eye to determining where
and how the flood waters can be held
back. In the end great appropria-
tions Of money can be anticipated to
carry out the plans which such
study will develop.
There is not an apparent reason,
other than ignorance Of opportunity.
why the flood waters Of the Mis-
souri, river in North Dakota should
not be considered virtually the first
to take the load away
from the Mississippi. The Missouri
is the greatest tributary to the Mis-
sissippi. Remove the flood contri-
buttons of the Missouri from the Mis-
sissippi and a very great part of the
lower Miss issippi problem is solved.
vc sCn1Anm 0msnnvf mn1tvs
"Golden opportunity 20 divert q
great part Of the Missouri flood
water in North Dakota is offered.
Virtually every foot of the flood
water of this stream can be utilized
in North Dakota and the banks of the
lower Mississippi saved this great
burden. And such utilization can be
effected at cost that would be in,
in comparison with the
sum total sure to be expended and
deserved to save q great section of
the country from another expert
ence like that now encountered in
the south.
"And double purpose can be
served by such an undertaking in
North Dakota. In addition to helping
solve the Mississippi flood danger by
decreasing the load which the Missis-
sippi must now carry, the flood
waters can be diverted to use in
North Dakota that will be Of service
to great area and in a very neces-
sary manner.
Should Be Begun Soon
"The Missouri river diversion prof.
ect which has been considered for
some years in North Dakota ought to
come into its own almost at once.
Devils Lake and numerous dried up
streams and lake beds between It
and the Missouri river ut Garrison
:an drink up virtually every foot Of
Missouri flood water. To have these
old beds replenished with fresh
water is greatly to be desired and for
more reasons than one, all known to
North Dakotans.
North Dakota ought right now to
be on It's toes to sell its diversion
which is certain to soon be soliciting
ways and means to control the Mis-
sissippi and make impossible, in so
Far Is it can, another terrible flood
such as is cursing the great south
now.
II have deemed it, worthwhile at
this time to direct personal letter
lContinued on page tAres)