Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-07-20
RIVER IMPROVEMENTs

Discussed at Length in . Rep oft Of the Mis-
sissippi CommIssion-The Late Floods
and tho Extra Work They Hsve Given
the Government.
WASHINGTON, July 1S.-The Missis-
sippi River Commission has submitted its
report to the Secretary of War, giving .
detailed statement of the work accom-
plished in the improvement of the river
during the past year and the plan Of work
laid out for the present year. Since the last
annual report there have been no additional
appropriations or legislation affecting the
commission. The distribution of appro-
priations of last year, as given in the last
report, has been modified by the transfer of
various sums from one object to another
from time to time during the year, as the
demand for funds in the various branches Of
the work become more or less pressing.
The present high water has caused two
new breaks in the river, near Memphis,
which will be repaired during the coming
season. Gazing continues slowly along the
bluff further down stream. It seems prob
able that further extension of the revstment
at Greenville may be necessary in the
future, and the work at Lake Providence
reach is to be extended during the coming
season. Near Vicksburg the bank con-
tinues to cave slowly, and the rcvetment
will have to be extended in the future.
Some River Improvements Hampered.
The execution of the project for improve
ment of the Red and Atchafalaya rivers is
much hampered by the danger of tempor-
arily obstructing navigation. The offer of
the shipping interests to relinquish the use
of the old channel at Turnbull Island will
probably be accepted by the commission
meanwhile dredging will be resumed. The
spur dikes at New Orleans are all in good
condition, and appear to be accomplishing
the object for which they were designed.
The construction Of additional spurs is con-
templated.
1t seems that the maximum strain has
been placed upon the levees that they will
have to bear this year, and that little, if
any, further damage will suffer bv the re-
cent floods The levees require an expendi-
ture of several million dollars to put them
in q state of reasonable security against
great floods, and that they should have
yielded IN places during the highest flood
heretofore recorded is to be taken as . mat
ter of course.
Some Devices in Bad Odor.
In referring to the Improvement of the
river channel the Commission condemns all
uCNiCCo OACiuoipCiy upou
current Of the river for carrying away the
excavated material, and also condemns all
appliances of small capacity, such as the
dredgers usually employ.
The Commission Is considering the pro-
priety of building dredge of q capacity
sufficient to remove the material bodily,
and which can be easily moved from place
to place, but are hampered by the great
deal of such an appliance.
The distractions during the low
water season were greatest
above Cairo. The balance ON hand, money,
May 81, 1892, was 1886, 1916, distributed as
follows: Levees, $78, 11S: channel works.
$314, ,S67; harbors and bank protection, 1921,
116; Red and Atachafalava rivers, $50, 81;
surveys, etc.. $57, ,0S4, and plant and mis-
csllaneous $165, ,317.