New-York tribune., 1874-07-20
THE SAFETY OF INLAND NAVIGATION.

HE SAFELY Of INLAND NAV IuhlicN'
THE LIGHTHOUSE BOARD EXTENDING ITS JURISDIc-
TON OVER WESTERN RlvERs-Two NEW LIGHT
HOUSE DISTRICTS CREATED.
WASHINGTON, July 19.-During the late ses-
sion OF Congress of $4,000 appropriated for
survey OF the Mississippi Ohio aud Missouri Rivers,
and to place thereon temporary lights and buoys. The
jurisdiction OF the Lighthouse Board was extended over
those rivers for the establishment OF such beacon ghs
day beacOn and buoys be necessary for the use
Of vessels navigating them, and for TINS purpose the
Board required to divide the designated rivers into
one or two additional lighthouse districts to be In all
respects similar the already existing lighthouse dis
trcts and authority was given lease the
grounds for all such lights or beaeons as are used to
point changeable channels, and which, IN conse
queuce, cannot be made permanent. The Board, at a
recent meeting IN virtue OF the authority conferred
upon thom, have created two new districts namely the
lih and 18th The ith consists OF and includes the Ohio
and the Mississippi Rivers from the confluence OF the
ONO to the mouth OF the Mississippi River. The 18th
district consists Of and includes the Mississippi River
above confluence with the Ohio River, and also the
Missouri River. The Board has called on the President
through the Secretary OF the Treasury to assign to each
district an officer OF the Corps OF Engineers and navy
officer as Inspector The headquarters OF one district
will be at Cincinnati and those Of the other at St.
Iouis The movement for the establishment OF these
districts originated with the Legislature Of Minnesota
in March, ls7l but the act not contaminated until
June last.
Major W. f. Merrill, Major OF Engineers, In commu-
ncatiOn TO the Committee OF the Coal Exchange, Pitts
burgh Jan g. 1871. speaking in favor Of means Tor the
greater safety OF navigation those rivers, says
IL appears at first sight somewhat singular that the
jurisdiction OF the Lighthouse Board has never been ex
tended over inland waters aud is probably due TO
the fact persons who appreciated tue neces
eity for such were Ignorant or the proper
steps to be their object While those VINO
knew the proper kept their knowledge 10 them
selves. Ii evident that great lighthouses VIII be
needed anywhere In the districts, aud that, cOn-
pared great expenditures on the sea coast the
cost OF the beacOns Will be but trng, while the amount
OF commerce to benefited is hardly inferior TO that
which requires the massive and costly structures
on which millions been wisely spent The CON.
merce OF the OHIO River Is estimated al Sil6OoOO or
which Cincinnati claims SlT000J0OO Pittsburgh $780,
Oo OO and Louisville sl5O00O. The entire commerce
OF Mississippi and is tributaries sroughy estimated
at 500 OOOOO The interests shown by these ngures
are great that their appeal Tor Increased SAFETY 10
navigation can scarcely be disregarded
Lieut.. Col Reynolds In communication 10 tne Light
house Board, said the only fostering care which the
General Government extended TO this immense interest
the commerce on the Western ryers-was an insuhi-
cent appropriation for two years VI N50V0 por annum
Tor the removal OF snags.