The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1896-03-23

sD.clal Dispatch 10 the fntellIgeneer.
PARKERsBURG. W. Va. March q.
The congressional voyage OF dlseov-
.ry ended here this evening in all the
enthusiasm that a placid Sunday after
noon would permit When the Virginia
rsarcd the wharf Parkersburg was
nj, in force, but under the dresses of
a becoming Sabbath deeorum. Car
rlares were In waiting to take the
marty to the jackson. Parkersburg's
beautiful new hotel The invitation
had been extended on the boat by
councilman SImms Powell, who did tt
remarkably well. Parkersburg was
reached at $50 and the visitors left at
ssa having had time to enjoy dinner
that did Parkersburg credit.
The trip from Wheeling down was q
repe,,tion OF the enthusiasm OF the
earlier stages, except that there was no
blowing OF factory whistles. The boats,
baweyer. made up for the factories. for
they shrieked as though they would
h,,rst their iron lungs. A short stop
was made at SIstersville to let OF some
Of the good people OF that place. Here
As before the wharf was crowded; the
brass band played; men and boys
roasted in the oil derricks TO keep out
OF the crush. -
driven oyer the town. II WAS q general
regret that the Marietta orchestra had
10 20 ashore here. 1t had contributed
greatly to the pleasure OF the trip from
Wheeling.
on Field Open, Thstr~Eyes.
The visitors found in the great Sis
,ersyllle oil field one of the most In
,eres,,ng sights along the river, new to
mos, OF them and attractive to all.
one Of them was surprised TO hear that
an oil well Isn't big enough for man
to fall dowH, The dinner on the VIZ
rinia was In effect another banquet,
although Il did not go by that name.
The most important feature OF the
whole trip was the Informal coming
together Of the rivers and harbors
committee. the United States ensineers
snd the representatives Of the river i'm
pruvement. The whole subject was
gone over with two results. First, that
X will not be necessary 10 appear be-
fore the committee in Washington.
second that the Ohio Valley may rely
With confidence on the most liberal ac-
zion consistent with the engineering
requirements and the funds available,
ana this is all that could be asked.
ThIs much Chairman Hooker, speaking
for the committee, promised. at the
same time expressing regret that u ls
not possible 10 do more.
He declared without reserve that the
committee was convinced Of the i'm
portance Of the Ohio and the Justice OF
the demand for thorough and sys-
tematIc improvement.
Committee Convinced.
The committee Is convinced that this
neglected natural highway has not had
fair play. The desire now IS to begin
in earnest. 30 that the Ohio may take
in the consideration OF future con-
gresses the position Il deserves. Colonel
Sttclyney. until recently In charge or
the Ohio, went carefully over the work
which the engineers have In conten-
plation. They wouid slaclSwater the
stream to the mouth Of the Muskin-
gum, q distance Of III miles from Pitts
burHh. This would require twenty-five
q cost Of 31s.000, 900. One OF these dams
would be at q point below wheeling,
probably at Jim's Pun. From the
mouth Of the MuslEing1m TO Cairo,
about 800 miles, there would be open
river Improvement at a cost OF about
5000 COO approximately S2s.000,OOO In
ali, Tho committee did NOT seem 70
think this a great sum for a river hav-
ing the present tonnage and future
possibilities as the Ohio.
The Right Man.
Major Huer, the engineer now In
charge, impressed all who heard him
as the right man in the right place.
He has 1ust had eight years expert
ence In very important work on the
Pacific coast and comes TO the ONO
valley with enthusiasm for his work.
He said that II Congress would provide
the money he would push the work
80 that the present generation might
realize on tho Investment. He would
push ahead on ten dams as ensily aH
one II he had the necessary force. He
Impressed the committee with the mer-
its OF the continuing contract system
which lays out the work on buslnesS
basis and continues the appropriation
from Congress to Congress as money
that must come until the work Is COM
plete.
Survey ofths River.
The probability Is that the commit
tee will recommend as starting point
complete survey Of the river in ordei
tn have exact data upon which 10 pro
ject In detail the whole scheme. II thu
he ordered the advocates OF tho I'm
provcment will Eccl that the first round
in the great contest has been won. TIL,
last words OF the visitors were in hlgt
appreciation Of the cordially OF TN
reception, and Of the cOrnCFtnesB Ot th'
people Of the Ohio valley IN behalf o.
the Improvement OF their great hlSh
way
The comments on the beauty nnt
scope Of Wheclings hospitality wer'
generous In the extreme. The PITTS
burRh fricndH declared u TO be by ioni
odds the finest social feature OF tht
whole affair. The men OF the pnrtl
Fald that they had not seen nnywher'
~ large proportion of benniifn
women. u B' IL