The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-03-03
OPINIONS CONFLICT
ASLEADERS DEBATE
DIVERSION PROJECT
Letter from PWA Official Stirs
Proponents Of Garrison
Dam Proposal
OLD REPORT IS ATTACKED
Congressman Lemke, Thomp.
son and Noodle Say Issue Is
Very Much Alive

Washington, March 3.-LF-The
Missouri diversion project came to
life Friday with expression Of con-
flicting opinions as to its future.
Coincident with the release by Rep.
Lemke Rep.. N. d. Of letter from
Major G. H. Brown, secretary of the
Mississippi Valley committee of the
public works administration. saying
there seems to be no immediate
prospect Of construction Of the prof.
ect." came announcement by two
supporters that the project IS very
much alive"
8. w. Thompson Of Devils Lake, N.
D., president Of the Missouri Valley
Diversion association, and T. F.
Noodle, Williston, N. D., publisher
expressed the opinion after two days
of conferences with public works Of
ficials that the Brown letter was
based on an old report Of army engi-
neers which has always been an OBJ
stacle to the project"
Their reference was to q report
made during the Coolidge admins
tration which held not feasible the
proposal to construct q dam on the
Missouri river at Garrison, N. D., to
divert flood waters into arid regions
Asked for $65, 200, 900
The public works administration
has been asked to allocate $65 900 O0C
for the project.
The text Of Browns letter:
There seems to be no immediate
prospect of construction Of the Mis-
souri, river diversion project in North
Dakota. Public works funds are ex-
hausted for the time being at least
and furthermore, study of the prof.
ect as heretofore proposed shows GER
tain technical weaknesses which make
the desirability of undertaking this
project most doubtful.
Further study Of the whole situa-
ton seems necessary II relief for any
more than a small section Of the Da-
kotas adjacent to the proposed diver
sion channel Is to be accomplished"
Thompson replied after confer.
ence with five senator's from north
and middlewest states:
I'VE are satisfied the project Is re-
ceiving every possible consideration
and that the problems involved re.
quire study covering several months
I'VE learned from our discussions
with public works officials that the
problem Of footings for the dam
not the paramount question. The
most important consideration Of the
Mississippi Valley committee is what
benefit will accrue to the territory
from the amount Of flood water which
can be diverted. Determination viii
require several months Of study"
Says Secretary Misled
Iemke said the secretary OF the in
terror apparently had enormously
accepted the army report as the only
report made" He said other reports
had been submitted to the depart.
ment Of the interior showing the
project was feasible.
while the army report does not
find the project Is not feasible, i,
shows 1t would be too expensive
Lemke said. Conditions have changed
since this report was made and moth
ing Is too expensive that will promote
the health, welfare. standard Of nv.
ing and public good Of millions 81
men, women and children living ir
this great northwest territory. II th<
water Is not conserved this area viii
become q desert and the entire well.
being Of this nation will be effected
Thompson. Noodle and Prof. H. E
Simpson, North Dakota state geolog.
LIST, discussed the project Friday with
Senator's Norris and Thompson Of
Nebraska, Nye and Frazier Of NORTH
Dakota and Bulow Of South Dakota.