Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-04-24
SOME HOPE FOR tn: RIVER.
THE RIVER COMMITTEES WORK AT
WASHINGTON.
Hon. A. II. Rose Returns From the Ma
tional Capital-Pleased With the
Result of the Visit.

Hon. a. H. Rose, of the committee sent
to Washington by the Executive Commit
tee of the California River Improvement
Convention, returned home yesterday and
spent a few hours in Sacramento He was
seen By a RECORD UNION reporter, and gave
a very clear and concise statement of the
work of the committee in Washington
and the result secured. He said:
eve reached Washington on SUNDAY
evening, and were so fortunate as to have
a joint meeting with the entire California
delegation in Congress on the following
Monday. After a thorough discussion of
the situation, ii was concluded that it was
not advisable TO introduce the bill proyid-
ing for a special Commission and a large
appropriation at this session of Congress,
as 1t would be impossible 10 secure its
passage at so late a period in the session.
1t was therefore determined to concentrate
all action upon the River and Harbor Com
mlttee and secure as favorable provisions
as possible in their bill, as that bill would
undoubtedly pass both houses of Con.
gress.
We found that the War Department
officials We're in favor of large expendi.
lures Tor the Sacramento river and tribu-
tarles, but, under the existing law and
precedenis, could not recommend such ex-
penditures TO Congress until the duly au.
thorized engineers had made complete pre-
Iiminary surveys and favorable recon-.
mendations to the department.
"Our committee desired and were in
structed TO work for a special Commission
anoas large an appropriation as possible
for INN edlate expenditure, and to secure
the COMMISSION, If we did not get dollar
at this session. We asked for a great deal
and OF course wanted all we could get; but
we did not expect to get all we asked.
am happy to state, however that we did get
all we expected, and have laid the founda-
uon Tor action on the part of the General
Government, which will result in the COM
plete restoration OF our river.
The River and Harbor Committee has,
IN response TO our urgent. efforts. recon-
mended that special Board of Engineers
from the United States army corps shall be
appointed to this summer make thorough
and complete survey of the Sacramento
river and Its tributaries-work which has
never yet been done by the General Gov
ernment-and report 20 the next session of
Congress such plan of treatment, with esti-
mates, as Will, when executed. permanently
restore the rivers to their original value as
nayigable streams.
The expense of this Board is provided
Tor, and We are assured that first class army
engineers. distinct from the local represent
atiVes OF the army corps, will be appointed
to constitute this special Beard. Prompt
and efficient action by this Board and ia
vorable report will prepare the way for
large appropriation at the next session of
Congress, which will be expended in con-
formlty with fixed plan of treatment and
Will directly lead to the complete restora-
ton OF these rivers. The present organiza-
ton OF our valley people must be main
tanned, and after the bill shall have passed
congress the River Convention should be
called together again and plans of action
formulated which will provide for such
legitimate influences to be brought to bear
upon the War Department and the special
Board OF Engineers as will secure the very
best possible results. And the matter now
set IN action must be kept actively in mo-
ton, with tireless zeal and energy, for only
thus will the ultimate results so much de-
sired be attained
Our committee were treated most cor
daily by the California Congressional Del
egation and the authorities in Washing
ton. Every aid in their power was afforded
us, and there is no doubt that the efforts
and presence of our committee contributed
oA1SSiAy W TIC IcoullS SeCuTSU, ana winch,
1t is probable, could not have been secured
without the action of our deeply.interested
people, through the River Convention.
THE clear and forcible telegram from
the Chairman of the Executive Committee,
calling our attention to the serious menace
of the Paine break to the Sacramento river,
came at an opportune time, when we
needed just such en- argument to back up
our assertion that the War Department
was working at very long range, and very
slowly, on our rivers. We at once pre-
scented the matter to the Secretary of War,
aud received his assurance that he would
act Immediately in the matter
The RECORD UNION learns from DR.. Dix
on that the direct result of the telegram re-
gardipg the urgency of action at the Paine
break, may be noted in the fact which he
learned yesterday, that Major Heuer opened
bids last Saturday for the treatment of the
Paine break and has referred the lowest
bid to the Department at Washington for
approval So, it now seems probable that
work will begin on this break in q few davs