Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-11-21
TERMS OF THE DISPATCH.
PITTsBURG. FRIDAY, nov. q, 1890
THE COMING RIVER DPRovEMEN

At meeting of the Memphis Board of
Trade last week il was decided to ask Con-
gress for nine million dollars for the exten-
sion of the Mississippi levee system. There is
a tremendous double interest in the future Of
the Mississippi. First, because of the annual
floods which devastate millions OF acres Of
otherwise fertile land. destroying both life
and property, and next on account of the
immense importance of the river from
transportation standpoint. But it is high
time that forethought should govern i'm
provement operations. We think those
who demand nine million for levee pur-
poses are on the wrong track-a track, In
short, which experience has proved leads
only to wasteful expense and bitter disap-
pointment.
The DISPATCH has COW in preparation
4 series OF articles by capable engineering
authority, which, when published shortly,
will conclusivelv show a much better solu-
lion of the Mississippi problem than can
ever be accomplished under the levee sys-
TEN. All experience with levees demon
strates them but a temporary makeshift.
When weakened by the enormous spring
foods it is only question OF time until the
dreaded crevasse appears. bringing death
and devastation where was fancied security.
Where strong enough to resist the current
The levees most frequently cause shoals and
bars and direct the river into new and un-
protected channels. Many millions of dol
lars have been spent, and much life and
property destroyed by failing to start the
Mississippi Improvement on a better sys-
fem. The one which is now proposed, and
whose feasibility will be shown by the forth
coming articles in THE DISPATCH, is on
totally different basis. The new principle is.
during times OF excessive rainfall to inpound
the water in reservoirs situated along the
tributaries of the Mississippi-these reser-
voirs to be emptied at will by movable
dams. Thus disastrous floods can be pre-
vented aud the excess of water be kept
under control, IN place of being projected in
raging volumes simultaneously from all
quarters into the great river. In connection
is a further scheme for making the Missis-
sippi, and afterwards the Ohio, thoroughly
available for navigation the year round by
the jetty system of deepening the channels.
Sooner or later the problem of the Missis-
sippi and Ohio improvement must be taken
up with a view to permanent results. 1t is
not merely the safety o! life and property
which viii compel this, but equally will the
business needs OF the country demand it. Our
railroads are now literally choked with bust
ness. Freight delays far exceed anything
known even or the old canals. II the re-
cent growth of population and business has
produced this congestion of traffic, it re.
quires no stretch of Imagination to foresee
thati 10 20 or so years when our population
will amount to nearly double, there will not
be room 10 construct or operate sufficiency
oi railroad track to meet these new condi-
tious. The water ways of the country must
he used for traffic. 1t is none too soon now
TO take up the problem. Our Memphis
friends will find that in place OF asking
nine million now for temporary relief
through plan that has proven failure,
they had better hold back their demand un-
I'll plans are gotten which promise some
thing permanent and doubly beneficial.