Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-01-03
TIE GREAT RIVER.
The Annual Report Of the Mississippi
River Commission Submitted to
Congress.
What Will be Needed TO Continue the
Work the Coming Tear-Out.
lets, Leeves and Cut.offs.

WASHINGTON, January 2.-The Missis-
sippi River Commissions report, submitted
to Congress today, shows that the amount
expended from July l, 1882, TO December 16,
1882, including estimated liabilities, is $780,
224. The balance estimated required dur
ing / remainder of the fiscal year ending
June 80, 1888. is S9l, $50. The estimate for
the salaries and expenses Of the commission
for the next fiscal year Is put at $500 600.
The delays in the work at Plum Point and
Lake Providence are due TO the great
scsrcity Of labor. The commission say: "We
see no reason for doubling the ultimate en-
tire success of the improvements on the up
per Mississippi. Below DesMoines the work
is carried on in detached portions, and 30 far
only at those places whsre navigation
If most impeded; but on the Missouri only
the continuous work, beginning at some point
success By doubling or trebling the plants,
which cannot be done under the present al
lotment of appropriations, the work could
be done 10 a much shorter time without anv
increase in the ultima ate cost" The report
recapitulstes ia detail the plans upon which
the comm ission is at work below Cairo, the
main principle being The contraction OF
the width OF the river and the pro-
lection of the banks 10 secure the
securing out of the bottom and the pre-
vention of the formation of bars. These
WORKS have already passed beyond the ex-
perimental stage. They have received prAc-
tical tests al various points on the Mississip-
pi and Missouri rivers, and even the recent
work OF the commission already shows their
correctness. For carrying on the work at
the hsrbors Of Vieksburg, Natchez, and New
Orleans, the lock at bsyos Plsquemine, the
rectifcation of the Red and Atchafa ava
rivers, and for closing crevssses and outlets
as auxiliary 10 the works oil channel i'm
provements, S4 ,573, 900 is wanted.
Concerning outlets and leveer, the report
sSssS "The plan of Improvement should 10.
chds thss control Of foods, in order to suc-
cef IN 1Ich general improvement ss is de-
sGs toed IN the organic act creating the COM
mission"
The report recommends that provision be
made by law for the appropriation, by suit.
able proceedings, cf land and material nsces.
ssry in any work of improvement OF the
Mississippi river undertaken by the govern
ment. II recommends that provision be
| made for retaining control by the govern.
| meni over areas reclaimed and built up
from the river bed by channel improve.
| ment. 1t is recommended that pro-
vision be made by law for the
punishment OF persons making or assisting
to make any cutoff at any neck or bend il
the Mississippi river, or in any manntr in.
rerfering with its channel or banks. From
so much OF that part of the report which
relates 10 levees one member OF the commits
sion, Gen. Comstock, dissents. He ia o.
opinion that levees are of but little aid in
the improvement OF low water navigation
and doubts at present The sdvisability Of
raising the levees on the banks Of river
above the present grades.