Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-06-26
CHARGES 1T TO CIVILIZATION.
That and Forest Destruction Largely Re-
sponsible for the Big Floods.

That and Forest Destruction Largely Re.
sponsible for the Big Floods.
JohA Diamond. a wealthy sugar
planter representing the Lake Borsne
district, made an eloquent speech. He
planters, who had suffered greatly from
overflows. The last food, coming as it
did on the heels Of a depreciation In su-
gar and sorghum. made their troubles
all the harder to bear. I'm this coun-
try" continued Diamond, "the people
living along the riparian land Of the
Mississippi were too proud to ask for
assistance. They built the levees them
selves. For many years they have done
this work, and done II valiantly. If the
same conditions prevailed today as when
the levees were first constructed the
government would not be called upon to
assist us.
1.-The civilization Of the north and the
denudation Of the northern forests, and
other causes, have all operated to swell
the current Of the Great Father Of
Waters. Land that was once one or two
feet above high water is now below what
Is called average water. The land in cur
district is now two feet below the water
inthe river. The construction Of the
levees up the river has tended to cause
the heaping UP of the waters down upon
us. But we do not complain Of the
levees. All we want is that the COM
mission will recognize our condition and
help us, hard working and energetic
people who have always been willing to
help ourselves"
Representative Baird, Of the Fifth
Louisiana district, pointed out the disas-
tiers that have resulted from permitting
the Kenesaw basin levees to go unpro-
tected. He said the population was as
thick there as anywhere on the Missis-
sippi. He asked for a liberal apportion-
ment. Several other gentlemen repre-
sented other flooded districts and urged
national help to build and strengthen
levees. T. v. Kenna, of the Pmchartrain
district, said the people had been taxed
to the very utmost to repair damages
and they felt as IL they could not raise
another dollar.
". Maurin, Of Lafourche basin levee
district. Louisiana, presented q large
bundle OF manuscripts, maps and dia-
grams. He said the late overflow neces-
STATED the supply OF 430. 900 cubic yards
OF earth to repair the damage done. He
thought this demand was modest and
hoped that It would be granted. George
NJ. Schorberger, Of the Rush district,
Louisiana, said his district has not only
suffered from overflows, but also from
storms. and immense waves were caused
by the wash Of the large steamers going
to and from New Orleans. His people
were taxed to the last inch.
Henry B. Richardson, of the Louisiana
state board Of engineers, presented an
estimate to the commission Of the aeces-
sary levee improvements along the line
OF the Mississippi river for 725 miles.
His estimate Is as follows: For repairs
to levees damaged by the floods, 5.e4s. SOC
cubic yards Of earth; for improvements
OF levees and raising Of those necessary
to be raised by the great rise Of water
1S.429. 500 cubic yards Of earth; for blan-
QUOTES. $4,000 cubic yards OF earth:
for extension Of levees, 2,500,0 cubic
yards OF earth. The grand total of Rich
ardson's figures L. over as,ooo,o0 yards Of
earth.
After Richardson had spoken there
were no more speakers and the commits
don went into executive session. The
beard already has q written report, but
1t will be gone over and such changes
as may be deemed necessary made
Colonel Gillespie. president Of the COM
mission. said that ~ soon a. the report
was completed It would be transmitted
70 the war Department ct Waahingson