A.-Wisconsin River from Portage 6 miles down.-Depths on bars. [For extreme low water four-tenths foot must be deducted from the reduced soundings.] A.-Wisconsin River from Portage 6 miles down.-Depths on bars-Continued. LETTER OF THE BOARD OF ENGINEERS TO THE BOARD OF TRADE OF CHICAGO AND THE CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE OF MILWAUKEE AND SAINT PAUL. OFFICE OF BOARD OF ENGINEERS FOR FORTIFICATIONS As you are doubtless informed, the Government has been engaged since 1871 in the improvement of the Fox and Wisconsin rivers, with the object of obtaining a line of water communication between Prairie du Chien and Green Bay having a depth at low water of 4 feet. Doubts existing at the present time of the value of this line as a part of a through system of cheap transportation between the West and the East, it has been made the duty of this Board to report upon the probable benefits in that view of this route to trade and commerce, supposing it to be completed to the stated depth. This inquiry has a practical bearing, for although the sum of $2,161,000 has been already expended, a further sum of $3,000,000 is estimated for the completion of the projected works of improvement, and it is important, therefore, to ascertain whether the probable advantages to be obtained would compensate for the additional expenditure to be incurred. This Board has already been engaged in the consideration of the influences which would have an effect upon controlling the routes of transportation, but it is manifest that its conclusions should not be reached without the benefits of information desired from those thoroughly acquainted with existing modes of transportation. It has, therefore, seemed expedient to apply to your honorable body for such information bearing upon the issue as it may be convenient to you to furnish, and for your opinion of the necessity of completing this improvement. In this connection, without, however, attempting to limit your discussion of the question, the Board of Engineers would be much indebted for your views as to the effect, upon this proposed route, which would be exerted by existing centers of commerce and capital on the western shores of the lakes, and by existing lines of transportation from the lakes to the Mississippi and westward from that river. It seems also within the scope of this inquiry to ask whether from Saint Paul or other city on the Mississippi River in communication by rail with the country west it would be advantageous in cost to transport by boats to Prairie du Chien and thence to Green Bay. On behalf of the Board of Engineers, I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JOHN NEWTON, Colonel of Engineers, Bvt. Maj. Gen. U. S. A., To the BOARD OF TRADE, Chicago, Ill. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, Milwaukee, Wis. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, Saint Paul, Minn. LETTERS OF THE BOARD OF TRADE, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, TO THE BOARD OF ENGINEERS. 1. BOARD OF TRADE, SECRETARY'S OFFICE, Chicago, November 1, 1883. SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of the 19th ultimo. As this communication seemed to require an official response from this board I felt it should properly be presented to our board of directors for such action as they deem proper; this was done at their first meeting after its receipt, and by them it was referred to a committee. This committee will, I doubt not, at an early day make suitable response to the suggestions you make. This I hoped would be done ere now, but regret that the committee have not as yet reported. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Bvt. Maj. Gen. JOHN NEWTON, President Board of Engineers, &c. CHAS. RANDOLPH, Secretary. 2. BOARD OF TRADE, SECRETARY'S OFFICE, SIR: Referring to mine of the 1st instant, acknowledging the receipt of your favor of October 19, and informing you of its reference to a committee by our board of directors, I now beg leave to hand you the report of that committee, which has been approved and concurred by the board of directors, and ordered communicated to you, as follows, to wit: "The communication of the 19th ultimo from the head of the river and harbor improvements of the United States has had the careful consideration of this committee, and we beg hereby to report in reply thereto our opinion as being adverse to the further expenditure of funds of the General Government for the purposes mentioned, viz, the deepening of the Fox and Wisconsin rivers, believing the project to be impracticable and useless as a through route from the west. "CHARLES A. MAIR, "Chairman." I may properly add that I called the attention of the chairman of the committee to the fact that your communication seemed to call for a somewhat more extended review of the reasons which influenced the findings and report of the committee; and hoped these would be given somewhat more fully; but it appears, from verbal reports of the committee, that they hardly felt it to be wise on their part to discuss the question at length; and I must be content on behalf of the Board to respond to your letter by simply communicating to you the expression embraced in the report. I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Bvt. Maj. Gen. JOHN NEWTON, CHARLES RANDOLPH, Secretary. President Board of Engineers, &c. LETTER OF THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, TO THE BOARD OF ENGINEERS. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, SIR: Your favor of the 19th ultimo, addressed to the president of the Chamber o Commerce, asking for an expression of the opinion of this body on the subject of the "Fox and Wisconsin improvement," with a view to ascertaining whether the probable advantages to be obtained would compensate for the additional expenditure to be incurred in the completion of said works, was duly considered at a meeting of the board of directors of this chamber on the 5th instant. After very full discussion the conclusion was arrived at, that in view of the position of Milwaukee (geographically) with reference to the work referred to, and its commercial relations with other parts of the State, both more and less directly interested in the "improvement," any expression on the subject by this body would be injudicious, and might be construed as prejudicial to the best interests of the State at large. Under the circumstances, therefore, this chamber most respectfully declines to commit itself upon the questions raised in your letter, deeming it better that the determination of those questions be left to the able and disinterested Board of which you have the honor to be the presiding officer. Thanking you in behalf of the Chamber of Commerce of the City of Milwaukee for your courtesy in this matter, I am, with great respect, your obedient servant, Col. JOHN NEWTON, ROBERT ELIOT, President of the Board of Engineers for Fortifications LETTER OF THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA, TO THE board OF ENGINEERS. (Office of Saint Paul Chamber of Commerce. John B. Sanborn, president. E. A. McNeal, secretary.] SAINT PAUL, MINN., November 13, 1883. DEAR SIR: In answer to your inquiry of 19th ultimo, I am directed by this chamber to reply as follows: That, taken in connection with the improvement of the Mississippi River from Prairie du Chien to the head of navigation, which is of the first importance-a through line of water communication-of the proposed depth, 4 or 5 feet, from the Mississippi River to the Lakes, via the Fox and Wisconsin rivers, would be of incalculable benefit to the Northwest, so great and general, that the expenditure of $5,000,000 to secure it in practical and permanent shape would be a wise investment. It is clearly the duty of the Government to render these great natural water-ways as useful to the public as possible, not only directly in the transportation of treight, but also indirectly as regulators of rates, thus protecting against private or corporate combinations and monopoly. In answer to your direct inquiries I am instructed to reply. 1. As to the effect likely to be exerted on this proposed route by existing centers of trade and capital on the western shores of the lakes. 5908 EN-121 That the new route will be independent of these and thus of far greater value to the Northwest than it otherwise could be. 2. As to the advantage in cost, if any, on grain coming from the west to Saint Paul, or other river points, to transmit it in boats to Prairie du Chien and Green Bay. It would lessen the cost, no doubt, but whether it did or not there would be a great advantage in being able to so transport it. I inclose copy of the report on this subject of our mercantile committee, approved by the chamber. Respectfully, General JOHN NEWTON, C. A. MCNEALE, Secretary. Office of Board of Engineers. REPORT OF MERCANTILE COMMITTEE. [Office of Saint Paul Chamber of Commerce. John B. Sanborn, president; C. A. McNeale, secretary.] SAINT PAUL, MINN., November 12, 1883. GENTLEMEN: Your committee, to whom was referred the communication of General John Newton, of the Board of Engineers, United States Army, relative to further improvement of the Fox and Wisconsin rivers, to secure water communication between the Mississippi River and the lakes, would respectfully report, that the Northwest is pre-eminently interested in cheap transportation, and thus in the establishment of lines of water communication with Eastern ports and markets, water competition, especially if under Government control, securing at all times even and favorable rates of transportation and protecting against combination and monopoly. The history of the Fox and Wisconsin improvement is well known to this chamber. As far back as 1773 the route westward for freight and travel was by these rivers so nearly connected at the Portage as to be naturally preferable to any other. From the first survey, in 1817, by Major Long, to the last, just completed, all competent engineers have agreed that the route is an excellent one and the plans o m provement entirely practicable. In 1846 the State of Wisconsin received Government grant of land in aid of this improvement, and soon after entered upon the work, surrendering it, however, to the General Government in 1871, on payment by the Government of $145,000 expended in addition to the value of the land-grant. Since then the work has been conducted by the Government on the plan of improving the natural channel of the Wisconsin River by wing-dams and dikes, the Fox River by dams and locks to secure slackwater navigation. General G. K. Warren, about 1867, recommended that a canal be built along the Wisconsin River, from the Mississippi to the Fox River, in preference to any attempt to improve that wide and shallow stream. The final decision in this matter of canal or river must rest with very able and competent engineers who have the work in charge. From Saint Paul this route has about 250 miles of Mississippi River navigation, 112 miles on the Wisconsin, 7 miles of canal at the Fortage, and 146 miles on the Fox River. Its plans contemplate 27 locks, 165 feet long, 6 feet deep, and 35 feet wide, covering a fall of some 200 feet. If the Mississippi River improvements, which is of primary importance, is carried out and 5 feet depth of water secured, a tug, properly constructed, can take at Saint Paul three barges, carrying 1,000 tons, in tow and deliver them safely on the lake at Green Bay. The canal and 54 miles of improvement on the Wisconsin were completed in 1879 (see report of Col. D. C. Houston, engineer in charge) and $2,161.000 have been expended in the work. It is now estimated that $3,000,000 more are required to complete it. Will it pay to expend this large amount upon it? Your committee firmly believe that it will and that the benefits to the Northwest, direct and indirect, of such water-way, under Government control, will be incalculable. It should be a free highway for commerce, and thus forever a guarantee of cheap transportation, and of protection against monopoly and extortion. The great hindrance to this work for many years has been the opposition of parties interested in railroad lines, and very naturally inclined to delay and disparage so formidable a competitor. "They will not willingly permit in the Northwest the creation of a second Erie Canal.' Grain is now being carried by lake, canal, and river 1,422 miles-from Chicago, Ill., to New York-for $2.62 per ton, or less than 8 cents per bushel. By the Wisconsin and Fox River route, when completed, the rate from Upper Mississippi River points to the lakes should be less than by any existing route. It is not expected that this route would take out all the produce of the Northwest, or bring in all its merchandise from the East, but it would surely modify and control rates of transportation between the Mississippi River and the lakes. Mr. Murphy, of New York, in his argument for the abolition of tolls upon the Erie Canal, said of it: "It is the great regu |