Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1878-08-07
EADS'S JETTY SYSTEM
Attention at the Next Meeting OF
Congress, and to be More
Thoroughly
Discussed than DETERMINATIONS OF
Renewed Hostility by the Engi-
neer Corps and Opposition
by Eastern Capitalists.
PHILADELPHIA Press. /


WASHINGTON, August 1.-The petition of
Captain Eads during the late session of con-
gress asking a modification of his contract
with the government for the opening of a
ship channel of a maximum depth of thirty
feet from the mouth of the Mississippi river
into the Gulf of Mexico mas attracted public
attention to such an extent to his system that
it is not improbable, at the next session of
congress, the question will come up for more
elaborate discussion and extended legislation.
The committee charged with the consideration
of the petition OF Captain Eads, while dis
posed to facilitate his work in every manner
possible within the limits of the original con-
tract, showed disposition to obtain more in
formation than then possessed by the govern
ment, and proposed for that purpose the or
ganIzation of committee of scientists to re-
port generally upon the practicability of the
lefty system as a permanent system of chan
mel improvement, and upon the various con-
tingent forces at work to prevent durable re-
suits. The success of the operations of Cap
tain Eads's system thus far has awakened
wider interest In the work, and there is every
prospect of its expansion into question of
conflict between the great rail transportation
routes to the seaboard. There were some in
cipient indications of this hostility last WIN
ter, and it is not improbable, should any fur
Their legislation be undertaken, that these
rival interests will come in open collision.
Independent of this probable opposition, a
strong influence is growing up In the engi-
neer corps of the army against Captain Eads' 8
enterprise, but whether from well-grounded
scientific or practical objections, or from a
narrow sense of opposition to the execution
OF great works OF river harbor improve
ment by private enterprise, remains to be
demonstrated. A gentleman of extensive
mercantile interests IN New Orleans, speak
ing of the present operations in the South
Pass of the Mississippi, says that Captain
Eads is entitled to great consideration for
the scientific skill and practical enter
has progressed; that the people of
New Orleans fully appreciate and applaud
the success thus far; that the government,
under the direction of the secretary of war,
could not have conducted the experiment to
the same point, without the expenditure Of a
much larger sum than has already been
disbursed. He says that the universal SEN
timent in commercial aud mercantile circles
in New Orleans is, without exception, ia
vorable to the project as successful expert
n1ent, but lacks sufficient practical test as a
permanently established work; that no great
storm mas yet tested its durability in me-
chanical point of view, or the complete cor
rectness of the theory, doubt being ex-
pressed as to the possibility of preventing the
formation of a new bar off the mouth of the
jetty, and the opinion among persons repre-
senting the shipping and tow-boat interest is,
that the work, to be properly completed, will
cost at least fifteen million dollars, and should
be transferred to the engineer corps,
after full reimbursement of Captain .Eads
for all the money expended, and a hand
some bonus for the skillful manner IN which
he has conducted the enterprise. The ex-
pense of maintaining the work, even at Its
present depth, which renders the rlver avail
able for all present purposes of commerce, it
is claimed, will be more than the amount al
lowed by the terms of the contract. 1t is
also stated, as an evidence of the prospective
financial embarrassment of the enterprise,
that ali the contractors have either failed out
right or been hopelessly embarrassed. The
large margin of profit allowed by the banks
of st. Louis and New Orleans for the adj
vances of money to Captain Eads are also
said to be the worst obstacle in the way of
even continuance of the project. 1t is
stated that at least two more payments will
be required by Mr.. Eads to satisfy the de-
mands of the parties called stockholders.
There is no question that important legisla-
ton will be asked when congress re-assembles,
so as to place this grand system of improve
ment on a sound financial basis. Its impor-
lance to the whole Mississippi valley will in
sure its respectful consideration and doubt
less effective action and promote the DISPOSE
ton of the government and private parties to
make some suitable recognition.