The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1882-11-17
The Congressional Committes,

AT MEMPHIS.
MEMPHIS, Nov. 16.-The steamer Guiding
Star, With the congressional committee on
the improvement and Investigation of the
Mississippi river, arrived tonight at Il
o'clock. They spent three hours this MORN
ing at Plum Point, Tennessee, sixty miles
above this city, where Captain Knight, en-
gincer in charge of the division, showed
them over the works already begun at that
place, which consists of dyking, piliug and
mattrassing. The committee expressed nc
opinion of the work, but it will be embod-
led in their report to congress. n. IL. Hut.
ton, who accompanies the committee as
consulting engineer, will present them with
II technical report OF the work. Ii is quite
apparent that the majority OF the
committee are opposed to the
levec system, Ellis, of Louisiana
being the only one to favor it. Captain
knight accompanied the party rs far as this
city, and was subjected toa rigid cxamina.
ton, regarding his work and expenditures.
He stated that the work was merely an ex.
pertinent in trying to deepen the channel
hut the committee appeared TO think that
suoh experiment was Il very expensive one
rs Captain Knight has twenty pile drivers
on the grounds, when he can only use two,
and has othereXpensive machinery which
has never been used. 1t is the apparent
purpose of the committee to thoroughly in.
vestlgate the work and expenditures OF the
Mississippi river commissioners. The com.
mittce will probably remain here until to.
morrow morning. All OF the committee are
on the steamer, excepting llazcltOn, oi
Wisconsin.
THE COMMISSION GETTING ALARMED.
MEMPHIS, Nov. 10 The congressional
committee OF investigation OF the Missis-
sippi river has received ~ 'ouC communities,
ton addressed to Hon, &c. burrows, chair.
man OF the committee, from General q. A.
Gilmer, president OF the Mississippi river
commission, in answer to written request for
it, After describing in detail the argument in
favor of ITS present plan, the communica.
ton goes ON TO describe the work pending
and to present a financial exhibit; Si,l2S,.
600 were appropriated last session for the
continuance OF the work of the com.
mission. The work has been continued
NJ two points on the river, AT
Plum Point, sixty miles above Memphis
and at Lake Providence, reach seventy
miles above Nicksburg, where work was be.
gun last year. The following is the
anportionment; New Madrid reach,
100000; Plum Point 100000; Mem
phis reach and harbor, $500 900;
luhc iIVNucHVt TVutll, Nop,VuV, repairing
leyees. SlS0,OOO contingent reserve Si73,.
0O0.- Mainly preliminary work has rs vet
been undertaken, such as the purchase OF
plans and the making of surveys. The
river below Cairo, Illinois, is divided into
four sections, each in charge of an engineer
officer. The financial exhibits in this re-
port will be- made special subject
of examination, % some Of the items
OF expenditure appear to demand explana.
ton. AT Plum Point last year $3.50. was
expended for equipment Of the office, and
at Lake Providence Sl0,2Si for like pur-
pose. Very large sums have been put into
what is termed 1.-THE plant" The financial
exhibits Of last year, for which 81, 900 coo
was appropriated, arc the only
ones Included In this report.
The grand total Of the year Is itemised
as follows Office construction and equip.
ment, SIC ~; administration. $7,8i5 81;
labor, $i0s, ASH; subsistence, $40.
?S6is: materials, $76.oSS.72; pur-
chase Of plant, $Ao7,7oS.lS; ton.