Iron County register., 1881-12-29
The Mississippi River Commission.
WASHINGTON, December Is.

WASHINGTON, DeccmDcr ID.
The Senate to-day received from the Secre-
tary of War the annual report Of the Missis-
sippi River Commission. 1t covers the prog
ress made in surveys and examinations from
the date Of the last report, January 8, 1881, up
to October 10, 1881. During this period the
triangulation of the river has been completed
from Arkansas City, Ark, to Greenyille, Miss,
where it joins the Coast Survey River, now
triangulated from Keokuk, Iowa, to the
Gulf of Mexico. The lines Of precise levels
are complete between Keokuk and New Or
leans. With the remainder of the present ap-
preparation it is hoped during the coming
year to complete the final topography and
photography from st. Louis to Vicksburg, and
complete the work of ascertaining the lines
of Levels across the alluvial bottoms Of the
Mississippi.
The Commission report they have expended
$144, 900 for surveys from December IL, 1850,
to November 10, 1881, and have balance of
Sill 900, which it is thought will be expended
during the remainder of the current year end
ing June 80, 1882 The estimates Of the next
fiscal year for surveys, etc, call for 100000.
The works of improvement contemplated un-
der the existing appropriations include channel
Improvements upon two reaches, the first lying
miles, and the second between Skipwith's
Landing, La, and Island No. 95, distance Of
twenty-five miles.
1t is the unanimous opinion of the Commits
sion that the improvement and navigation of
the Mississippi below Cairo, upon the general
plan recommended in their report Of February
II, 1880, is entirely practicable, and that the
completion of the work for which partial esti-
,.-:ll
continuous low-river channel not less than ten
feet deep over all shoals and bars between
Cairo and the head of the passes, with posi-
bility Of attaining practicable depths ccnsid-
erably beyond that limit.
The Commission estimates the total cost Of
the Improvements needed in the Mississippi
at $50, 100000. OF the 81 ,OOO, 900 appropriated
by the act of March 8, 1881, $3.50, 600 had been
expended up to Nov 25, 1881, and the remain
der, $3.50, 900, will, 1t is thought, be expended
during the present fiscal year. For the next
fiscal year 50, 113, 900 is asked to contract the
channel and protect caving banks on six
reaches of the river, 1S4 miles in length, and
$1,010, 900 for closing existing gaps in the
levees.
On the subject Of the levee system the Com
mission repeat the conclusions submitted in
their report OF February, 1SSO, in which they
say, among other things, that I'm a restricted
sense, as auxiliary to the plan of channel I'M
provements only, the construction and main
tenance Of the levee system is not demanded,
but, in the larger sense as embracing not only
the beneficial effects upon the channel, but as
a protection against destructive floods, the
levee system is essential, and would also pro-
mote and facilitate the commerce, trade and
postal service.
The Commission renew the recommendation
contained in the former report that provisions
be made by law for appropriations Of land or
material when needed in the improvement Of
the river and not otherwise obtainable. 1t is
recommended that authority be given the
Commission in charge Of the work to apply to
the United States Courts for condemnation of
land or material and assessment Of damage to
owner. In addition to such legislation It is
recommended that Congress declare to what
extent the river shall be under the control Of
the Commission during the progress of the
work, and under what circumstances and to
what extent the material found on bars or
islands within the banks may be used without
CONDENSATION to owners.