The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-04-30
ASKS ABOUT FLOODS
SENATOR VEST WANTS RIVER IN
PR0VEMENT GONE INTO.


and BOW to Prevent Them. ard Regard.
log systems of kiver Control and Whs,
is the Best One-what the Mississippi Il
Doing Meanwhile.
Washington, April Ex-senator Vest OF
Missouri introduced a resolution in the
senate today directing the committee o.
commerce to report at the beginning of
the next session the causes Of the Missis-
sippi floods and means Of preventing
them; whether they were due TO the de-
struction of the timber at the headwaters,
whether a system of outlets was practi-
cable concerning the condition OF the ,ey-
ees: whether the continuance Of the Mis-
sissippi commission was advisable,
whether the jetties should be continued.
and what the cost Of comprehensive work
would be. He gave notice that he would
| call I up at the next session Of the SEN
ate.
|. The following is the full text Of the Vest
| resolution:
Resolved, That the committee on COM
| merce is instructed to make full examin-
| alton and inquiry as to the following
questions. and report thereon 10 the SEN
| ate by bill or otherwise or the first day
OF the regular SESSION, Monday next:
What are the. causes of the disastrous
floods in the Mississippi river and its
| tributaries. and how can such foods be
| prevented and diminished?
IL such floods are the result to any
| extent OF the destruction of timber upon
| or near the headWater5 OF said river or its
tributaries. what measures should be
adopted TO prevent such destruction and
! whether reservoirs TO hold the waters
| caused by rain or the rapid melting of
| snow should be constructed so as to pre-
vent the foods caused by the sudden pre-
| cipita;or of the rain or snow water into
| the streams flowing from the regions
where the sources OF the Mississippi are
located?
Whether such reservoirs Il their con-
struction should be deemed necessary,
could be used for the irrigation Of arid
lands in the vicinity of such reservoirs?
whether the outlet system, by which
il is proposed to furnish avenues through
which the waters from the Mississippi
river can escape in times OF food, is
practicable or eXpedlent?
Whether the present system Of i'm
proving the Mississippi and Missouri riv-
ers, under which il is sought to confine
the waters within the banks Of said riv-
ers by means OF levees together with jet
lies at different localities increase the
e.osive power Of the current 50 as to pro-
tect the banks and deepen the channel,
should be continued?
what has been the effect on navigation
ard commerce of the jetties at the mouth
of the Mississippi river. and what is the
presen condition of said jetties and heir
probable future?
whether the Mississippi and Missou-
ri river commissions should be continued
in existence, and, il Continued, what
amendments should be made to the stat
utes creating such commissions and defin- |
ing their duties and powers?
What legislation is necessary &c pre- |
vent the enormous destruction of proper !
" by floods IN the Mississippi river and |
it's tributaries. and what amount of |
gress for the establishment and mairten-
ance of systematic Improvements and
safeguards"
DANGER AT ST. LOUIS.
ST. Louis. April 29.-Still higher water
for this section OF the Mississippi valley
is looked for. according to reports re-
ceivei today by the local weather Off
cial, Dr.. Frankenield He said today:
THE river al 81. Louis will continue -
rise and will probably reach the thirty
foot mark danger line) on Friday. With
the water now in sight stoge OF about
3o.5 feet is indicated on Saturday. The
upper Mississippi will fall from Hanni-
bal northward. II will rise below Louis
lana and further rise of 1.5 and two
feet is indicated at Alton"
At Hannibal, Mo, tnegauge this morn
ing registered 90 feet and 10 inches, the
highest stage reached since 1883, when
the levee broke. Since midnight the
river had been stationary. About half
Of South Hannibal is under water. The
streets are navigable by boats and the
backwater has spread out and extended
west for nearly half a mile. inundating
Several OF the departments
n the Hannibal and 81 Joseph railroad
shops have shut down and the railroad
Yards are under water.
IL has been raining here all day and as
, result the levee is in great danger, as
{ cannot stand much more pressure. A
arge force OF men are acting as patrols
md sacks are being filled with sand 10
Ise in an emergency.
In the Missouri bottoms. a few miles
forth OF this city. the farms are ali SUD-
merged and the people have abandoned
heir homes and fed 70 the hills. The
people residing on Sny sland are getting
heir stock and goods off as fast as pos
ible. for they fear the levee may break
II any hour.
s.. Louis Mo. April ao-The Missis- :
ppi here mas risen more than a foot in
wenty-tour hours. and = ticking of the
marks on the river gauge in way that
threatens 10 send the water over the
LANCER point before morning At 10
clock this evening the gauge marked :
eos. The official danger point is 50
eet.
AT THE HUNT LEVEE-
Keokuk. IA. April 2e.-Both the Mis- :
!SSppi and DeS MONIES rivers are reed
lg The c-evasss in the Hun. ievee De- Z
DIV here is now 9eo yards wide. and the il
water in the notions Is level with that {
u,side Many houses which were de- a
ertei in the rush fer safe places were
went away.
TRANSPORTATION HOME.
Memphis. Tenn. April ea.-The execu-
i've committee OF the Flood Sufferers
,elist association today published an a.
aun1a-,s-- - 10 a<rso- -1a- All 49, y