The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-08-31
The FUNDS LOCKED UP
WHICH WERE APPROPRIATED
FOR RIVER IMPROVEMENTS.
No Work Yet Begun In the Mem
phis Reach or at Amy
Other Point.

There is general inquiry. among
valley planters TO know why the River
Commission does not take some steps
toward the work in which they are 80
much interested, and the people OF
this city feel an especial interest in
the subject because Of the river trade
aud on account OF the necessity for
protection to the Memphis harbor.
The bill provides for improving the
Mississippi river from head OF the
passes to the mouth OF the Ohio river,
continuing Improvements, S2,250,C)0;
which sum shall be expended under
the direction of the Secretary OF War,
in accordance with the plans, speci-
ficstions and Recommendations o. the
Mississippi River Commission, pro.
vided that no portion of this appro-
priation shall be expedited 10 repair
or build levee3 for tho purpose OF re-
claiming lands or preventing injury
to islands or pIlvaie property by
overflow; provided, however, that
the commits ion is authorized to
repair and build levees if in
their Judgment it should be dons
as part of their plan to afford ease and
safety 10 the navigation and commerce
OF the river and to deepen the chan
mel. OF the amount herein appropri.
ated for the lower Mississippi, SiOo, 900
are to be expended in continuing the
work in progress at New Dreams,
$l50,000 for the rectifying If the Red
and Atchafalya rivers by preventing
further enlargement OF the latter
stream and restricting the outlet ca
pacity and for keeping apen navi-
gsble channel through the mouth of
Red or Old river iLto the Mississippi;
$50, 900 in improving navigation in the
Greeuville reach by preventing the
bank at Greeuville from further cav
ing, and 100000 in deepenilg the
channel at Vcksburg by drrging
through the bar existing there; but
this last named sum ehail not be ex-
pended unless, after another examina-
ton or survey, the commission shall
deem it advisable, and if the shall not
then $4,000 shall be expended
in the improvement OF navi-
CATION at ckaburg by con-
structing suitable bikes and other ap
propriste works, and $4,000 in cotn-
pleting the work in the river at Mem
phis. Also, $4,000 for work in the
RIVER at Hickman and S25, 600 for work
in the river at Columbus, KY"
The Mississippi River Commission
was constituted by act of Congress
some six years ago, and ia composed
OF, the following persons: Col. and
Brsvet Maj. Gen. Quincy A. Gilmore,
Corps of Engineers, United States
Army, President; Lieut.. Col. ard
Brevet Brig. Gen. Cyrus B. Comstock,
of the Uoited States Engineers; Mai.
Charles R. Suter, Of the United States
Engineers; Prot. Henry Mitchell, OF
the United States Coast Survey !;
Messrs. B. M. Haired, of Louisiana;
s. W. FERGUSON, OF Mississippi, and
Judge r. S. Taylor, of 'Iudlana.
Tnus 1t will be seen that major
ity OF the commission is composed of
civil aus, while the other three are
officers Of the army, The customary
mode of procedure for the commission
when on active duty is for the Presi-
dent to call meeting of the members
TO assemble al New York, st. Louis or
soma other place, and, with the maps
Gnd notes Of survey before the board,
to set le on some plan for the treat
ment OF particular case in the work
of improving the navigation of the
river. 1t is also the custom for the
Commission in body to visit the lo-
Calities to be operated upon aud make
personal examinations of the work to
be done Oh in progress. The Commits.
sion has already done a vast amount
of work in the way of narrowing the
channel of the river where it is exces-
sively broad; in protecting caving
banks; in improving and protecting
harbors; in building levees; in gauging
the distance OF the river and its chief
outlets, including crevasses; ia run
ming lines of levels and making other
surveys in connection with the various
and uniform operations which O
work of tho magnitude, novelty and
| boldnees of that intrusted to the com.
mission. When the bill came up in
the Senate on the 81 of August last
for consideration it was finally passed.
Senator Gibson, however, called at
tention to the fact that 50 100000 had
Just been voted TO bs expended upon
the work intrusted to the River Com
mission, but denying the necessary
| funds for the payment of the salaries
and expenses of the commission, and
yet.the commission has q plant of me-
chinery and appliances worth over
81 ,250,0CJ. He expressed the hope
that Senator Allison, Chairman of the
Committee on Appropriations, would
offer ajoint resolution prepared by Sem
ator Gibson, to meet the case. at the
evening session of the Senate on the
same day Senator Allison of Iowa Of
fered ajoint resolution providing that
the cum of $50, 0G0 out Of any money not
otherwise disposed of, to be appropris-
ted for the psymentof salaries, travelling
and Office expenses and contingencies
of the Mississippi River Commission.
The resolution was passed by the SEN
ate, but was not passed by the House.
and consequently no provision was
made for the expenses OF the Missis.
sippi River Commission. Plainly, no
provision has been made TO pay the
expenses of the commission. The act
of Congress requires that the work
shall be done under the recommends
tions aud according to the plaus of the
commission. Several of the members
OF the commission are officers of the
army aud under the orders of che
Secretary of War, who has a general
supervision Of the work, but they
only constitute q minority of the com
mission. A majority is composed of
civilians, and they cannot be
ordered to duty unless provis on
be made for their salaries aud ex-
psnses. As. matters now are the en-
tire aft ,ir is at a siandstill, and unless
the high officials Of the Treasury aud
War Departments shall see the way 10
pay the expenses Of the River Com
mission out of the. appropriation for
the river improvement, it does not ap.
pear that anything eau be done under
the law for the i'm orovement of the
lower Mississippi river. No call has
yet been issued for nesting Of the
board. The president, Gen. Gilmore,
is reported to be quite sick pt present.