The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-03-07
A SENATE RESOLUTION.
The Governments to Be Asked
to Expend the Appro-
priationS.
BENEFITS TO BE DERIVED.
Producer and the Mer-
chant.

SACRAMENTO, March 6.-The Senate to-
day recommended that action be taken by
the Governor with view to securing the
expenditure of Government appropriations
for the improvement of CALIFORNIA; rivers.
The resolution IN full is as follows:
WHEREAS, The river systems of California
have been examined by the engineers OF the
War Department and recommendations have
been made from time to time for their i'm
provement, particularly so by executive docu-
ment GAG Fifty-first Congress, second session,
wherein a recommendation is made for a
specific appropriation of $275, 900 for removal
OF distractions in the lower Sacramento, and
for a specific appropriation OF 100000 for the
treatment of the Yuba near and above Marys-
vile. And an appropriation of $345 600 for
the improvement of the Sacramento and
Feather rivers was also recommended by Major
Heuer OF the Corps of Engineers in his annual
report of 1898.
Recommendations have also been made by
sundry executive documents of the War De-
partment for the improvement OF the San
Joaquin and Mokelu mne rivers, Petaluma
Greek and other navigable streams of the State.
Based on these recommendations Congress has
made sundry appropriations for the improve
ment OF the river systems OF California. The
appropriations have been only a fraction of the
ment, but if expended promptly the relief
afforded would be incalculable.
As said by the report dated February 3, 1891,
OF the board Of engineers, consisting of G. H.
Mendell, colonel, A. Mackenzie, major, and
Daniel c. kingman, captain of engineers:
The movement of the wheat harvest takes place
during the low stage of the water, so that the
greatest demand for the ranSportation comes when
the natural conditions least favorable. Relief
TO be adequate, needs TO be prompt. Prices are
affected by existing conditions A good river
makes freighting cheap whether it be done on the
river or on competing railroads. The cost Of
transportation on the water determines the price
on land.
The report from which the above quotation
is taken is that of board of civil engineers ap-
pointed TO examine into the necessity for i'm
provement OF the river systems of California.
1t appears by appendix T. T. of the annual
report of the Chief of Engineers that the total
amount OF freight transported during the year
by the river systems of California was $50 ,653
tons. This amount OF freight is carried at re-
duced rates, and river transportation also re-
duces the rates charged by railways, as said on
page 2553 OF that report, at least TO the extent
OF 81 per ton and the amount of freight trans
ported by rail and affected by water competiti-
ton is three times as great as that carried by
water
The river systems of California have been
partially improved by the expenditures al
ready made, but large sums are in the hands of
Government engineers unexpended. If Cali
fornia is to have the benefit of the appro-
priations made by Congress, it is absolutely es-
sential that these sums should be expended
Immediately. The price of all products is now
so low that the improvement of rivers in Cali
fornia and the cheapened cost OF transporta-
ton that will result thereby is an imperative
necessity. Whether the refusal TO do the work
for which these appropriations have been made
is the result of Indifference, negligence or a
determination to deprive the people of cheap
water transportation, is difficult TO determine
However that may be, the result is disastrous
TO the welfare of California; therefore, be it
Resolued, By the State of California, the AS
sembly concurring, that the Secretary of War
OF the United States in behalf of and in the
name of the State of California be, and he is
hereby requested to direct the expenditure in
accordance with the recommendations of the
Government engineers, of the sums of money
appropriated for river improvement and still
unexpended.
ResolUed That the Governor be and is hereby
requested TO transmit a copy of this resolution
to the Secretary OF War of the United States
and that our Senator'S be directed and our Rep
resentatives be requested to use all honorable
means to secure the improvement of the river
system of California by the expenditure of the
money appropriated for that purpose as
specified in this resolution.