The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-05-14
THE DEEP WATER CONGRESS

MEMPHIS. Tenn, May 13.-A new era in
the improvements of the Mississippi river
has come, in the birth today of the Missis-
sippi River Improvement association, a
permanent organization, which is COM
Oosed of the most prominent engineers
and capitalists of the Mississippi valley,
and whose object is Ito cooperate with the
national Mississippi river commission and
to urge upon congress the necessity OF
carrying out promptly the recommends
tion, of that scientific body. No longer is
the improvement and perpetuation of this
great American waterway to be left to the
work of local agitation or to irresponsible
sectional demands. A great organization,
designed to include in its membership
every civil engineer and prominent cap
italist of the hundreds of river towns in
the mighty Mississippi valley is TO proceed
with method in the great task ahead and
NO improvement will be pressed before
congress until it has run the gauntlet of
scientific examination and approval by
this organization. Where once all was
incongruIty and confusion, there will now
be naught but method. The greed of
sectionalism-the struggle for local ag-
grandizement-will be thing of the past,
and only those appropriations will be
recommended which are designed for the
common veal and the improvement of the
Mississippi river and its tributaries as one
great ma jestic whole.
Congressman Tarsney of Missouri pre-
sided when the Mississippi valley deep
water congress reconvened this morning
The committee resolutions reported in
favor of the United States governments
providing adequate and continuous appro-
priations for the improvement of the
Mississippi river and its tributaries; COM
mends the work done by the Missouri
river commission and the Mississippi river
commission, applaudS the act of both
hra nf N 10
system of continuous appropriations for
the improvement of the Mississippi river,
and expresses the hope that President
Harrison, who, having been member of
the Mississippi river commission, knows
the wants of the people aud the demands
of commerce for the improvement Of the
river, will affix his signature to the most
liberal bill presented to him for his ap-
proval.
The Memphis delegation offered an
RmendmenU, declaring that the govern
meut should so deepen the channel Of the
mississippi river as to allow of its naviga-
zion by ocean vessels.
The St. Louis and other northern dele
gates opposed the amendment.
Major Fleece of Memphis called atten-
tion TO the fact that this was deep water
convention. called to consider the very
subject embodied in the amendment. 1t
was the logical purpose of such conyen-
tlons, based upon natural laws. Should
the government undertake to create deep
water navigation of the Mississippi river,
there were 1900 miles of navigable rivers
interested in it, extending through Kan
sas, Missouri and other states, having rep
yesentatives on the floor. 1t was not the
primary purpose to demand deep water,
except as it comes through the cOnstruc-
tion of improvements whenever needed
along the river.
After further discussion Judge Lothian
submitted an amendment, in lieu Of that
Offered by the Memphis delegates.
Resolved, That we petition the United
States to provide adequate and continuous
appropriations for the improvement of the
Mississippi river and its principal tribu-
taries, so as TO secure the safe and free
navigation of these rivers, and deep water
navigation in the Mississippi to the most
efficient extent practicable"
This was accepted by both sides to the
controversy and was unanimously
adopted
An amendment was then adopted, that
q committee of nine-five from Tennessee
and the remainder from other states-be
appointed 10 formulate plans aud to bring
the association into existence
After vote of thanks for the hospital
ity shown the delegates by the citizens of
Memphis, the convention adjourned sine
die