The record-union., 1896-08-02
RIVER IMPROVEMENT.
Congressman johnson Is Actively at
Work.
Correspondence Between Him and the
Secretary Of War and the
Engineers.

Readers Of the Record Union" will
succeeded in having the following pro-
vision incorporated into the river and
harbor bill of the last Congress:
Improving Sacramento and Feather
Rivers and their tributaries, California:
The Secretary of War rs hereby author
lied and directed to appoint a board,
consisting of three Engineers of the
United States Army, for the purpose of
making surveys and examinations of
said rivers, and submit the most feasible
plan for the improvement of said rivers
and the maintenance of navigation
thereon, and to have charge of the work
by them recommended as appropriations
are made therefor said board may, un-
der the direction of said Secretary of
War, expend any balance now remain
ing to the credit of said rivers in the i'm
provement of the same, after deducting
the expense Of said surveys and examin-
ations."
Recently our Congressman wrote the
Secretary of War, calling his attention
to the matter and asking that the board
be appointed at an early date. In an
swer to that request he received on the
Doth Of July a letter, of which the fol-
lowing is a copy:
War Department, Washington, D. c.,
July "a, 1S96-Sfr: I have the honor to
acknowledge the receipt of your letter
of the 18th instant, calling attention to
the provision in the river and harbor
bill Of the last session Of Congress, au
thorizing and directing the Secretary Of
War to appoint a commission to exam
Inc into the condition and needs Of the
Sacramento and Feather Rivers in Cali
fornia, and to make report of their find
ings; and urging the appointment of the
said board at an early day.
In reply I beg to inform you that pur
suant to the provisions of the Act re-
ferred to, Colonel Charles r. Suter,
Major Charles G.. L. B. Davis, and Cap
tain C. E. Gillette, Corps of Engineers,
all stationed at San Francisco, have been
named as such board. Very respect
fully, DANIEL S. LAMONT,
Secretary of War.
Immediately on receiving this letter
from the Secretary of War Mr.. Johnson
wrote Captain Gillette and others named
as board In reference to the matter,
asking to be informed when the board
sire and that Of the people to cooperate
with them. He received in reply the fol-
lowing:
United States Engineer Office. San
Francisco. Cal, July 81, 1896.
Hon Grove L. Johnson, Sacramento,
Cal.-Sir: have the honor to acknowQ-
edge the receipt of your letter Of July
Doth. have as yet received no notifica-
ton Of the appointment When the
board is organized it will doubtless take
the necessary action with reference to
your request. Very respectfully,
CASSIUS E. GILLETTE,
Capt. Corps of Engineers, U. S. A.
1t will thus be seen that our Congress-
man is moving in this matter for the
benefit of this portion of the State. He
can be relied On to suggest matters to the
board that will be of assistance to them
and will rebound to the best interests of
the great work of clearing the Sacra-
mento and Feather Rivers from obstruc-
tions.
Our citizens generally and the Cham
Der Of Commerce particularly should be
ready at any time to aid Mr.. Johnson
and to render the board any assistance
and show them every attention needed.
The work inaugurated by Congress
man Johnson means much for Sacra-
mento, and in fact the entire Sacra-
mento Valley.