Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-04-26
THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER
An Anti-Levee Sentiment Being Exploited
in the Valley.
Mr. Sayers' Proposition Does Not Find
Much FnvOr-The Problem to Come
Before Congress Next Winter.

An anti-levee sentiment is being exploited
in the Mississippi river valley, and promises
to become factor before Congress when
the river improvement problem is taken up
Eext winter. Levees are condemned on the
score that they control the floods only to
the extent of making them doubly destruc-
tive when the waters break through. Then
TIE waters. from having been pent UP. be-
come an ire sistible torrent wherever they
&C through and sweep everything before
them. An overflow. if the waters are per-
mitted to spend themselves easily and nat
traily over the low lands is described as a
blessing. 1t Cnriches the soil and renews
Its productive capacity. Those who hold to
this view advocate instead of the levee sys-
tenn Strengthening of the river at certain
points and system of outlets which
would relieve the pressure at flood time
and hurry the waters to the sea by such
side channels.
Friends of the Levee System.
But the friends of the levee system still
iLsist that that is the only proper system
that this highest of all known floods on the
river has demonstrated both its utility and
It's economy. and that it presents the only
solution of the problem which will at once
control the stream at flood tide and protect
the people In their homes in the valley.
The question to Congress next winter more
thorough than any that has hitherto been
made.
Mr.. Sayers' Proposition.
The proposition of Mr.. Savers of Texas,
that famous engineers from all parts of
the world be invited to examine the ques-
ton and submit plans for it's solution, fails
to meet with approval in certain quarters.
There is no need, it is insisted to cali
ha
nome talent is very highly praised by those
familiar with it's members. They are de-
scrlbed as in every way competent to deal
with the subject. All have had the best
opportunities at home, and some have en-
joyed the additional opportunities of for
eign travel and observation.
An Instance Mentioned
One particular case is mentioned An
engineer employed in the work of improv-
ing the Mississippi. desiring full knowledge
of the dyke system employed in Holland
set to work and mastered the Dutch Ian
guage, visited Holland, investigated the
whole subject at first hand and made an
exhaustive report, which engineers both in
Holland and in this country highly
praised. Some of the best levee work done
on the Mississippi since then has been un-
der this engineers direction and it has
stood the test of this flood most satisfac-
torily.
ID.
The ievee problem, as it exists today is
thus summed up: There are between Cairo
ami the mouth of the river about thirteen
hundred miles of levees, partly the work
of the general government and partly that
Of private enterprise ard subscription. The
average height of these levees below Vicks-
burg is about ten feet: of those between
NlcksburS and Cairo about twelve feet
Ihe present flood has demonstrated that
the height of all the levees along the en-
tire river should be at least fourteen feet.
foot or two higher than that even would
out add TO the general security of the peo-
pie In the valley. The cost of such ele-
Vaflons Is estimated at between ten and
w. Give millions of dollars, and the work
Win the money promptly forthcoming
couid, II is said. be done in a year
Not unlikely. Congress next winter will
De asked by the friends of the levee system
tc order the work on this comprehensiya
scale, ana appropriate the money either in
lump sum or in not more than two in
stallments. III