Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1882-12-15
Mississippi River Commission.

WASHINGTON, December 13.-The special
committee on the improvement of the Mis-
sissippi met this morning for the first time
since their separation at the close of the
trip of the examination. General Wright,
chief of engineers, was examined as to his
observation of the work IN progress on the
river. He stated that he believed that the
works intended for the contraction of the
river are accomplishing their objects as far
as they have progressed, as also the works
for the purpose of protecting the banks of
the river. When asked by Mr.. Ellis, of
the committee, as to his opinion of the
efficiency aud stability of the works, he said
he had the fullest faith in them, and that he
had no reason to doubt the correctness of
the theory upon which the work was begun.
He cited the point known as the Horsetal
Shoal below st. Louis, as one which had
been swept away by the system of piles and
wattles for contracting the river. He stated
that he had found no waste of money IN
purchases for plants for the work OF the
commission. The effects of outlets, he
thought would be to shoal the river, and
the more outlets, the worse it would be for
navigation.
In reply to questions from chairman
Burrows, he described the process
said mattresses would have to be extended
to all places where the banks cave.
The new banks, too would have to be so pro-
tected as to complete the system and control
the river. On being asked as to the practi-
cability of confining the river within a bed
of 3, 600 feet in width, from Cairo down,
Gen. Wright stated that it was practicable
from standpoint of engineering. 1t was
matter of expense-he could not give an
estimate of the expense, the work had not
extended for enough to make this possible.
He thought that by the time the appropria-
ton shall be expended, the experiment
would be carried for enough to make it pos
sible to estimate the cost and growth of
such work. In reply to questions by Mr.
Robinson, of Massachusetts, he
gave as his opinion that the changes
of river beds might be prevented, that SO
far as navigation is concerned the work of
confning the river is only needed in the
low water stage. He had never considered
any project for confning a river within its
banks 3, 500 feet apart at high water. He
would consider it an enormous work; in
volving very large and unnecessary outlay
of money. He declined to attempt an esti-
mate. AS to levees he believed the bottom
of the river would be favorably affected by
levee system, and SO would be improved
for low water navigation. Below the
mouth of he'd River there was never any
trouble to navigation in high or low water.
He thought it an unfair question to ask
HIM what possible use levees could be to
navigation below that point. He
thought, however, that it would
decrease the deposit by increasing the cur
rent, though there had never been any
trouble below that point from such deposit.
The river there is from so to 100 feet deep.
He thought the completion of the contem-
plated works would not clearly demonstrate
the fact that other points on the river would
not have to be protected. If at Plum Point
and the other points experimental with the
plans worked successfully, it would show
the feasibility of expending money for
works at other points. The last appropria-
ton made was larger than necessary to
make tests at the points where they had
been contemplated.
The committee will continue the exami-
nation of Gen. Wright tomorrow.