Marietta daily leader. (Marietta, Ohio) 1895-1906, 1897-05-04
CITY AFFAIRS.
RAvAaEs OF THE RIVER.

CITY AFFAIRS. ;
RAvAGEs OF THE RIVER.
1t is matter of common knowledge
that eyer since the Government dam
was built at the head of the island
above Marietta the current thrown to
this side has been very much swifter,
and in the bend above the city has
eaten away the bank at rapid rate
During the past winter the loss of
river bank has become alarming, es-
pecially in the neighborhood of the
water works, where the situation is be-
coming serious. From that point for
several hundred yards up the river the
bank demands immediate attention.
The City authorities have been in hopes
that the U. S. Engineer in charge OF
the Ohio, would see his way clear to
undertake the protection of this bank.
Two years ago when Mr.. Gates, then
City Engineer, and myself were in Gin
cinnati to arrange plaps and specitica'
tions for the sidewalk on the railroad
bridge, called on Col. Stickney, who
was then in charge of the river, and
he acknowledged the responsibility of
the Government to protect the bank at
this point, but stated that the appro-
priations would not justify his doing |
the work at that time. He advised
that the people along the valley petit
tion Congress for enlarged appropria-
tions. Since then we have formed the |
Ohio River Improvement Association,
with the express purpose of securing |
more ample appropriations for river
work.
The amount Of money necessary to
secure adequate protection for this
bank can only be guessed at but at
least SO, 900 would be needed to make |
a permanent improvement of the i'm
periled bank. The question is, which |
shall pay it, the City of Marietta or
the Government?
LIEUTENANT MosER
Some weeks ago Lieut.. Moser, the |
local L. S. Engineer in charge OF the
Ohio and Musllingum with hea3quar- /
ters at GAINESVILLE, by invitation of the
City Council, met committee of Coun- /
ell and joint inspection of the river
front at the water works was made /
and when Lieut.. Moser left for hom4, ,
we all supposed he would make favor
able report, but it seems he did not.
MAJOR HUER.
The other day when in Cincinnati l
called on Major Huer, who is the sue
cessor of Col Stickney in charge of the
Ohio and its tributaries, and he in
formed me that Lieut. Moser's report
was adverse to the GOVERNMENT doing
in the premises, and>that he
had decided accordingly, OF course,
10 the presence of the august autocrat
Of the Ohio river and in the face of an
adverse decision like that felt pretty
small and rather helpless, but | re-
solved not to stop there, 50 l cited the
fact that the Government had protect
ed farm land along the bank just bove
the city from excessive loss caused by
the same dam. Major Huer then went
IN TO say that he had been informed
hat at the time the loca ton of the
lam was being discussed Marietta ask
ID to haye it placed on the Virginia
ide, so as not to cut off navigation
rom the City, and that in Difference to
hese requests the dam was placed on
he opposite side of the island and the
current turned to this side. In renly
o that | said that there was No official
ecord Of any such action, and further
more, if the dam had been placed on
he Ohio side Of the island it would
lave left the water 50 low al the
mouth Of the Muskingum that it would ,
lave been impossible for steamers TO /
inter that river, but under present {
conditions with the swift current I
brown to this side the sand bars were !
ut away and covered, and thus navi-
ration is maintained, and | might h.vC :
aid further, but | did not, that any !
Government Engineer who would build
dam that would cut off city as large s
S Marietta from her RIPARIAN rights {
nd privileges in such manner as I
hat, would deserve to be cashiercd the {
ervice. The City of Marietta would
lot need to say word on such u ques-
ion as that. Her situation, her rights
n the river speak louder than words
nd are as eternal as the hills that line ,
Ter borders The dam was not built ,
or the benefit of Marietta, but to pro. !
note the commerce Of the river and {
he whole country, and any damages I
which arise from such public works
must be borne by the Government.
Major Huer further said that the
'nly way out for the City is to secure
'ayorable action from Congress; not a
special act, but an allotment of the
accessory amount for protection OF our
river bank in the general act for Ohio