The Glasgow courier. [volume] (Glasgow, Mont.) 1913-current, 1945-10-25
MISSOURIANS
INSPECT FORT
PECK PROJECT
Commission Will Make Report
on Proposal for
Authority

A Missouri state commission
charged with issuing a report on
a proposed Missouri valley author
ity, together with state officials, ad-
ministratorS and newSpapermen,
spent Sunday in Fort Peck and
Glasgow as part of its study Of the
upper river basin.
The commission, created by a leg
islative resolution, was appointed by
Gov. Phil M. Donnelly to make a
trip over the Missouri basin and
then submit a report to the legisla-
ture that will either favor or oppose
the idea.
Sen. Claude B. Ricketts,, promin-
ent st. Louis business man, is COM
mission chairman. He made nc pub
lie statement as to his views nor
did other commission members.
However, it was apparent in off-the-
record conversations that there was
a divergence of opinion among COM
mission members ranging from out
right opposition TO to just as strong
sentiment for an authority. Several
members appeared to be reServing
final decision.
Other commission members are
L. T. Berthe Of Charleston, pioneer
engineer associated with some of
the first earth fill dams and flood
control operations in this country;
Sen. Earl S. Cook CT Trenton, who
is in business there; F.. V. HeinkeI
of Columbia, president of the Mis-
souri, Farmers association; Sen. Ed
win V. Long, Bowling Green attor-
ney, and Rep. Marvin Wright of
Salisbury.
Senator Ricketts, expressed him.
self as favoring the best means of
getting river development under way
and stressed the interdependence OF
the river states. We've got to be
married TO Montana" he said.
The commission and others in the
party arrived Sunday morning by
special car. After breakfasting in
Glasgow, they were taken to Fort
Peck by members of the Fort Peck
engineer district headed by Lieut..
Col. H. H. Roberts, district engineer.
An all-day tour of the project fol-
lowed, i~nterspersed by a noon dis
cussion period, at which Colonel
Roberts outlined construction of the
Qdll anu 10 pun ROoCoS POAAbAAD OoS
that considerable work "a inter-
/ rupted by the war.
Questions by the Misscurians
evidenced a lively interest in navl-
CATION, flood control, power and ir-
rigation problems. In response to
one, Colonel Roberts pointed out
that the dam originally was con-
structed primarily for navigation
aid downstream. Under the integ-
rated plan of the army engineers
and bureau of reclamation, when
additional storage is provided
downstream, it will function to pro-
vide storage and power for irriga-
ton of more than 1000, 900 acres OF
land in Montana and North Dakota.
The dam has been effective in re-
ducing flood crests downstream, COL
onel Roberts added.
Following dinner, the visitors were
taken on a short cruise on the lake
on the engineer inspection cruiser
Sacajawea.
Returning tc Glasgow they were
by & delegation headed by Lief
Erickson, former supreme court
Justice and candidate for governor,
who is president of the Missouri
Valley Authority association. State
Sen. Robert S. Cotton, who made
local arrangements, said about 10
Valley county people representing
the Farmers Union, labor and busl-
met formally with the commits
sion.
The visitors were guests at dinner
at the Allen cafe of the Glasgow
Chamber of Commerce, with josef
Shower. Chamber secretary, pre-
He turned the meeting over
to Senator Ricketts,, who introduced
his party and called on many for
impromptu talks. Colonel Roberts
smoke briefly on plans for recrea-
ticn development around Fort Peck
lake. while Thomas c. Horn, super
visor OF the Fort Peck game range,
told of the fish and wildlife services
plans for restoring n increasing
big game on the range.
other guests from Missouri at the
dinner were Edwin L. Clark, state
geclogist, Rolla; Ralph Duffy, pub
lie service commission, Jefferson
City; Rep. Randall r. Kilt, house
floor leader, Chillicothe; Rep. Joe
H. Miller. Carrollton. house floor
leader, Lieut.. o waiter N. DaNlS,
Kirkwood: Hume B. Duval and
Louis LaCoss, st. Louis Globe Demo-
crat; R. c.. Baumhcff, St. Louis
Post Dispatch; H. E. Klinefelter Of
Columbia, editor of the Missouri
Farmer. and r. T. Mollencott OF
st. Louis. district passenger agent
for the Wabash railway, railroad
representative en- the trip.
Commission members appeared to
appreciate the informal nature of
the program here. IT'S been pressure
and long meetings most places we've
one commented.
From here, the group doubled
back west to Great Falls and
Billings before continuing to Wyo-
ming. It will be in Kansas City
Friday for a trip down the Missouri
ov boat. concluding the survey.