New-York tribune., 1881-12-16
MISSISSIPPI RIVER IMPROVEMENT.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 10 L nc CchiIo VO-u"y
received from the Secretary of War the annual report OF
On, N,,syissinn, River Commission dated st. Louis,
Sovernber 25 1881. II the progress
made in surveys and examinations from the
date of the last report-January 8, los1-up to Oco
her 10 1881 The report shows that the
river is now trlangulated from Keokuk, Iowa. to the
Culf Of Mexico Lines OF precise levels are complete
between Keoluk and New-Orleans With the remainder
If the nresent appropriation i; is hoped during the com
mo wear TO complete the final topography and hydro
ranby from St Louis vcksburg and 10 complete the
work of ascertauing the lines OF levels across the a
vial bottoms of the Mississippi.
The Commission reports that it expended $4,000 for
e,,s from December H. 1880, to November 10, 1881,
and hes balance of appropriations on band amounting
70 OOO which it thought will be expen del during
the reDainder of the year ending June 80 1882
Tho estimates for the next hscal year Tor
surveys. etc, call for 100000. The works
% i,,nrovcment contemplated under existing
-,,,,iotions include channel improvements upon
pi irearhee the first lying between Cairo and Mem
80 distance Of li5 miles, and the second between
Ave miles. II is the unanimous opinion OF the
T%ogmnisson that the improvement Of the navigation
olrSaI Oh nlan recommended in its report OF February
II 1850 is entirely practicable ana tGat tDe compe-
i,tcd viii establish cont nnous low ryer channel
MOI tran ten i9 10 Gep ef t nnsses With bc pos
Iitv 81 attaining practicable depths considerably be-
yGrd ' tTrssion estimates the total cost of tho
io,,ont, needed the Mississippi at S33oOO0O0
81 600 600 appropriated by the act OF March 3,
VsI 155o 900 had been expended up to November %,
FCr tle next fiscal year the sum OF 13l $4,000 II
lel Gov Co contract the channel and protect caving
% U ix reaches" Of the river ls4 miles IN length,
od - 0i 900 for closing existing gaps In leyees
~ 70 ubiact OF the levee system the, Commission
VI ~ co1clusiOns submitted in its report Of Feb
It IaS0 m which il stated, among other things,
tS4,t' 'a IN a restricted sense, as auxiliary to
% %tn ~ channel improvements only, the construction and
piiotenauco OF leyee system Is not demanded; but
~ larger scnse embracing not only beneficial effects
80 ,ro, the channel but as protection against destruc
I've floods ~ stein is essential ana would also
nrrote and facilitate commerce, trade ana the postal
scryicc.' - ~ recommendation co,
tanned I'm former report, that provisions be made by
law for the appropriation OF lana or matGTla "heh
Wooded m the Improvement of the river, ana not Oiher
yse nbtainabie. IL il recommended thai authority DC
gtvtn the Commission, the person IN charge OF
fbe work to apply 20 the United states District
G,ts for the condemnation Of land or material ana he
assessment OF damage TO the owner. In addition
"a snch legislation IL IL recommended that
| CON cress declare to what extent the river
sbsn he nuder the control of the Commission
Irn the progress of the work and under what clTcu-
stances and 10 what extent material found on me pafb
and isands within the banks may be used without com
urnsafi1n 10 riparian owners. Protection by suitable
legislation to the boats, lnHchnes, toOls' wv cdi0N
for the work, is also suggested