The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1929-03-30
MISSOURI PEACEFUL
AGAIN; resumes ITS
REGULAR CHANNELS
Three Bombing Planes ST.. en-
Roui, Here, While Others
Leave Fort Lincoln
81 TONS OF BOMBS ARRIVE
War Department Urged to Keep
Explosive IL Bismarck for
Future Flood Use
81 TONS OF BOMBS ARRIVE

AIS quiet along the missouri.
After threatening to flood Mandan
for the past 10 days. the Big Muddy
has fast resumed its regular channel
leaving little evidence of the damage
1t wrought. OH its spring rampage.
Strong winds Of the past few days
have attacked pools. lakes and
sloughs left by the overflow waters
and today residents Of the bottom
lands turned to the task Of deter
mining the csSSount Of damage caused
by the flood.
It will probably be a week before
any accurate check can be made Of
the monetary damage done. O. W..
Roberts, federal meteorologist. was
making q preliminary survey today
and has asked banks and chambers Of
commerce to assist him.
While three army bombing planes
were reported today to be still on
their flight to Bismarck from Langley
Field, Va. all other planes stationed
here the last few days have taken
off for their home ports.
Planes Coming
The three planes still en- route
landed at Watertown. s. D.. last night
due to hcadwinds which cut down
their time. They are commanded by
Captain w. II. Hale. They were de-
layed In leaving today by cold mo-
tors.
Thirty seven tons of high explosive
bombs arrived In Bismarck last night.
They are the only reminders left to-
day OF the governments attempt to
blast out the Huff ice gorge.
Officers ct Fort Lincoln have asked
the war department for instructions
regarding the disposal Of the bombs.
No reply to their questions had been
received today.
one suggestion being made by local
personx was that the bombs BE- LEFT
here for, use II future emergencies
such as that which existed eoklier this
week.
Wants Bombs Kept
Robeyts strongly supported the
plan. When action Is taken to aid
the river In freeing itself Of ice. 1t
must be done quickly to be effective.
he said. He feels that q supply OF
bombs permanently on hand would
greatly simplify matters In the event
Of any gorge In the future. Bomb
ing planes could get up here from
Fort Omaha In five hours" he said.
with facilities Of that character It
would be simple matter to break m
Ice tam before 1t got well started and
thus keep the river open."
Other suggestions were heard that
bombing, the Missouri river. should
ice gorges form in It. would give army
airmen some practice In their work
under practically war time conditions.
Advocates Of this idea pointed out
that observation planes could fly over
the river and locate the gorges ana
the bombers could take up the work
Of destroying them.
River Stage Falls
Meanwhile the river rolled peace
fully along, having pushed down.
stream the ice cakes which choked 1t
earlier In the week. Tie gauge this
morning was at eight feet below flood
level and the drop continued all day.
Roberts and other long time resi-
dents Of this section today refused TO
make IN estimate Of the damage done
Nv the flood ana Ice gorge In terms
~ money. It is impossible to make
anything other than Wild guess. he
said. He expects 70 begin Saturday 4
survey OF the situation In the river
valley and has asked banks and
chambers Of commerce to aid in the
work. It may BE 10 days before any