National Republican., 1880-12-17
Potomac Flats Improvemept.

The resolution adopted by the House
District Committee yesterday in regard
to the Potomac flats improvement appro-
priation disposes of the project in that
committee in accordance with the wishes
of its best friends.
There is no good reason why those in
tercsted in the river and harbor bill
should oppose such Il proposition. The
sum asked for will, of course, add to the
total sum appropriated under the bill,
but it will add to instead of detracting
from the popularity of the general
measure. The fact that this much
needed improvement is provided for
literally will need no defense before
the people of the country. The river and
harbor bill is popular with members and
with the people of the localities bene-
fitted; but it always incurs the criticism
of the press and the general public. It's
friends should be glad to add to it one item
which is really of National Importance
National because there is not a congress
sional district in the United States un-
represented in our official population,
and because fully one-half of our people
look to the States when they think of
home and kinsfoks. Certainly the
health of Congress itself, and of the
thousands of public servants gath
cred here, is of National concern.
All engaged in the White House, the
Treasury, State, Agricultural, War, and
Navy Departments, the Bureau of Engrav-
ing and Printing, Smithsonian, Arsenal,
Navy-fard, and the Naval Observatory,
are directly exposed to the unwholesome
influences of these swamps, and the in
jury to their health is direct loss to the
Government in decrease of amount and
quality of service.
In addition to this question of health.
there may be considered the suggestion
made in THE REPUBLICAN yesterday with
reference to the formation, in the course
of the improvement of the flats, of
lakes for the further prosecution and ex-
tension of the work of the United
States Fish Commissioner. Profess
sor Baird is quite confident that
series of beautiful, clear lakes could be
formed, surrounded by drives and walks
which would be at once useful to the COM
mission and ornamental to the grand
park of q thousand acres in OK
tent, which will be reclaimed under
proper management. The whole coun-
try is interested in fish culture,
now only in its infancy. When it
reaches its full capabilities its beneficial
results will be felt in every State and
every district of the country. 1t will be
cqEal to the addition of another staplc
food crop to those which now make us the
best fed people of the world. The
lakes now in use here have been very
successful, and their results in breeding
carp and other food fishes have enlisted
the attention and favor of the farmers
everywhere. The present lakes are oc-
cupied to their full capacity, and others
must soon be had if the work is to 60 on.
Professor Baird is entirely confident
that none could be more conveniently
secured than by arranging for them in
the proposed filling of the flats As the
earth taken out to form them can be used
to make the embankmcnt, there will be a
great saving of material.
These and other considerations warrant
the hope that the Potomac flats improve
ment appropriation of 81 ,250,OO0 will not
be antagonized when it comes up for con-
sideration in connection with the river
and harbor bill