The Forrest City times. [volume] (Forrest City, Ark.) 1871-1919, 1895-07-19
A Big PROJECT.
Cong 9 8 m a n M c c ulloch
wants to lock and dam
the ST. Francis River.

Congressman McCulloch met the cham.
Der of commerce Of Helena, one day last
week to consult with them upon the mat
ter of lock and dam for the st. Francis
river. The following from the Daily
World, will be Of interest to all con-
cerned:
"Mr. McCSlAoclI presented the project.
which Is nothing more nor less than a
scheme to secure an appropriation from
the government to pitt lock and dam. in
st. Francis river, at some favorable ps4ns
In order to improve the navigation OF that
stream and give the people along It's banks
steady communication with Memphis and
Helena at all seasons of the year Sir.
MeCulloch said that he had the opinion of
Capt. Frank Turnkey, who was an en-
gineer OF practical ability, but who has
since died. that the fall was sufficient and
the conditions favorable for the building
of lock and dam. 1t was Capt. Trun.
keys opinion, 50 Mr.. McCul loch said.
that lock put i'm the rivar near what is
known as Ford's bar, woAla give slack
water navigation for seventy miles above
that point, or as far up as WFtts6urg. He
had consulted Capt. Pharr. the engineer
Of the st. Francis Levee District. and that
gentleman was also OF the opinion that
the scheme was not only feasible but that
1t would result in great good to the pep
pie and would operate to open up yass
area OF territory along the st. Faancis and
its tributaries. Mr. McCulioch said thas
Capt. Pharr had informed him that the
work already done by the Levee> Board
l.o1 tknA In 81, ~
in the st. Francis delta from fO,iy to six
feet and had already reduced the dura-
ton Of the overflow fully Fifty peg cent.
He did not quote Capt. Pharr's opin.on to
create the impression that there was any
connection between the ST. Francis Levee
District and the scheme under discussion,
for there was positively Bsae. The st.
Francis Levee Board was doing gnOd
work, in its own way, while this lock and
dam project would work another and diff
erent effact, but like the bsilding OF the
levees would inrre to the benefit Of the
whole country.
Mr.. McCullocA referred to the fact that
the Memphis steamboat owners had given
up the st. Francis river trade for the rca-
son that the isnumerable sandbars and
other distractions rendered the navigation
He did not ask the Helena people to- pass
upon the feasibility OF the project ,-tha.
was matter to be determined by an act
ual survey by a competent engineer.
What he wanted Helena to do was to
give him saeh aid rs lay in her power to
convince the government that the game
was worth the candle. He wanted
statement giving the value of the trade to
ts nit pf l.Ax nd or ~
products were annually received from
along the 81 Francis aHd tributaries.
After this was. done. If the result justi-
frd it, he wanted Helena TO present the
matter to congress in proper way. asking
for an appropriation to do The work lie
would then bring The maaser before the
River and HarbOr Committee, OF which
he might again be member, ana
bring such Influence as he had to
bear to get a favorable report. Or
course, Helena like Mariana and
Memphis. would have to take chances
on controlling the rich trade OF the
ST. Francis river. Ii our people con-
sidered it worth the expenditure she couid
put steamboats, in the trade in compell-
ton with the world. At any rate he be-
lieved the building of locks and dams
would develop a rich section or country
and that it ought to be done. tie had
consulted the steamboat owners OF Mem
phis. and they would bring to bear theii
influence with Congressman Patterson ana
the Tennessee delegation in congress
He would do the same thing With Tue
Arkansas delegation.
Mr.. McCullooh had to meet the O'clock
train and left the matter with the Cha m
Der of Commerce, to be talked owes, ai-
gested, and acted upon as they tho"sh'
best.o