Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-04-19
THE RIVER QUESTION AsAIN.

confidence should be reposed, since he is
well informed concerning the methods
necessary to employ to secure any action
by Federal engineering departments, in
forms us that a greal deal has been gained
in securing SC much as a report advising
orders to issue for survey and examination
of the Sacramento river While it is
agreed that the Federal engineers have
the present knowledge that would form
the basis for sn intelligent report upon the
needs of the river, it is insisted, say the
dispatches, that it is necessary for an or
der to issue te them to make such report
1t certainly is true that such procedure is
essential, under the present system of the
Engineering Department of the Army.
But at the risk of inviting criticism by
the sticklers for the roundabout methods
that hedge SO much of army engineer
ing procedure, we venture to pronounce
the system wrong. The patent existence
of a threat te river, the ordinary natural
history of navigable stream, ought to
warrant an official having supervision of
it in advising the Government of the needs
of the river, and whethero or not special ex-
animation of it should be made to ascer-
tain in detail what remedies ought to be
applied.
But here We have the direct statement
of a Congressional committee that no
such advice has been given for the Sacra-
mento By the army engineers. The case
resolves itself into this statement, there
fore, and which we submit is inconsistent
with the usual manner Of, conducting sue
cessful business
l. The Sacramento river urgently needs
treatment, and it is the duty of the
Federal Government to apply it.
2. But Congress cannot act in that direc-
ton until Federal engineers report upon
the needs, the methods and the amount Of
money necessary.
8. The engineers in charge will not
make such report until so instructed.
4. They will net receive such instruc-
items until the Department orders their
issuance. The Department must be COM
manded by Congress to Issue the order.
Such is in effect the plain statement of
the Congressional committee, SO that after
all, the only direct way to put this army
machinery in motion is by action on the
part of civilians.
Now that we have at last discovered how
to set the wheels going, let the agitation
continue If we are to secure speedy
action, action now and the coming sum-
mer, and report to Congress in Deem
ber-and there is time enough for that
we must besiege the proper authorities at
once to move in the premises, and so per-
sist in our appeals that for very impor-
tunity the Department will yield to the
petitions Of the people. II is necessary,
also, that there should be neT and indie
pendent Board Of Federal Engineers TO
make the necessary report, for it is but re-
6ecting the public Judgment that the
people have not confidence in the energy,
.premptness or business wisdom of the
engineer Immediately in charge of the
Sacramento river. His action regarding
the Paine crevasse, in public estimation,
initiates against the wisdom of employ
ing his judgment further in treating the
river.
The facts are simple and undeniable |
Ninety days ago he took soundings in the |
break and proceeded to ask for Bids for the |
work needed, upon the assumption OF the |
remaining the same. He found |
twelve feet of water on the bank where there
is now a depth Of twenty-three feet; he
proceeded TO solicit bids for work on the
break ON the basis of his discovery that
the bottom of the breach was far above
low-water mark, and his belief that it
would not be cut deeper by the current:
when the fact is that it has been since cut
down to point two feet below the low
water level. In the meantime he has
made no soundings, and now expresses sur
prise that the creyasse has deepened as it
has. No wonder that contractors bidding
write explanatory letters to Sacramento
asking If indeed the depth of the water is
.wenty-three feet, when Major Huer's
call for but about half that
lepth.
We submit, that however it may be in
he practice of army engineering, private !
construction by railway, navigation, man.