Evening star., 1932-06-05
J0BLESS SOLUTION
| IS SEEN IN RIVERS
Inventor Here to Interest
Congress in Harvesting
WaterpoWer.

Americas rivers hold the solution of
nearly all the grave problems growing
out Of the depression, in the opinion
Of Lars Mikkelsen, inventor Of plan
to harness the Nations water power and
put it to work along lines never at
tempted before.
Mr. Mikkelsen, who came to Wash
1ngton few days ago to arouse Con-
gresS' interest in his scheme, believes
the countrys rivers can be made to
provide employment for every jobleSs
man capable of doing an honest days
work
My plan would not only solve the
Mississippi flood control problem" he
says, but would develop water power for
manufacturing and transportation and
would furnish agricultural storage ia
cilitieS and irrigation. The scheme
may be carried out on any scale. de-
pending on the extent Of development
desired, and could be adapted to any
river in America.
Would Raise Water Level.
"For a complete river plan. however,
I would start at the head of the Mis-
sissippi and construct a tunnel or
pipe line of concrete or steel. raising
the water above the river bank by its
own gravity-say about 20 feet above
the bank
Water. as every one knows, will run
On its own level. but will flow faster
with about two inches of grade to the
mile. Consequently. I would build dams
20 feet high along the river about 10
miles apart.
Proceeding down the river to the
points where flood control Is needed,
would construct concrete canals to re-
place the pipe lines. These canals
would be Of the same height as the
dams, or as high as the high-water
mark of the river at its flood stage,
and would serve as levee system.
They also would convey the exhaust
water discharge from the power dams,
filling an emptying automatically dur
ing the process of power development
above the dams I would erect struc-
lures 10G feet high or more. On top
of them 1 would place power reser-
voir, with pipe lines leading down to
water turbines connected with dynamoS
on the bottom floor. From here power
would be distributed for manufacturing,
river barge transportation, railroad
transportation and other industrial pur-
poses"
But how can river water be raised
above its own level in fiat country?"
Mr.. MikkelSen was asked.
Proposes Float System.
"By great united float system in
side the lower DAMS" was the answer.
These floats would be connected with
gears attached to a hugh pump system
working through the framework of the
buildings and driven by the rise and
fall of the floats. By this method river
waters can be raised from 100 to 1000
feet in the fattest portions of the
country.
by this method and with the equip
ment already described, have solved
the irrigation problems. From the.
reservoirs on top of the structures,
would run pipe line to the nearest
hills. where larger reservoirs would be
constructed Through this pipe line
the water would run by its own gravity
and would be stored at high elevation.
to be used for irrigation when needed"
Mr.. Mikkelsen plans to ask Congress
to appropriate 100000 to enable him
to demonstrate his scheme. After the
demonstration, which will be made on
a comparatively small scale" he says,
Il shall be able to finance the project
myself, if necessary"
Mr.. Mikkelsen, whose home IS in
Perth Amboy, N. j., has been working
on the plan for 26 years. He has orig
mated somewhat similar water power
schemes which, he says, are being
pushed forward in Boston and New
Haven.