The record-union., 1898-01-08
Weather Forecast.
GOOD RIVER NEWS.

The people of the Sacramento have
every reason to be gratified at the river
news from Washington. The Federal
Commission, of which Colonel Suter,
Major Heuer and Major Davis are
members, has filed report on the needs
of the Sacramento and San Joaquin
Rivers, and what should be done for
their Improvement, and the Secretary
Of War has transmitted it to Congress.
This provides a basis for action, with
out which we have been told we could
not expect any legislation from Con-
gress upon the subject.
1t seems that the report and advice
of Colonel Suter is emphatically favor
able 10 work upon the Sacramento. For
this We have every reason to be thank
full Certainly we have no reason for
opposing the Government engineers.
Their report shows that they appreciate
the necessities Of the river, and are
fully convinced of the need for lib
eral appropriation to improve its navi-
gability. Colonel Suter says that for
city, beth dredging and a system of
wingdams and jetties must be en-
ployed in order to secure a depth of
seven or eight feet of water The
points where he would have the initial
work done are Iron Horse shoals, near
Clarksburg, Heacock shoals, and at a
point below this city.
The abnormal width of the river at
these points should, by construction Of
jetties and wingdams, be SO far cor
rected as to make the confined current
cut out and deepen the channels, and
give the required depth of water. Such
works should be supplemented by
dredging as necessary. The cost OF
the work is estimated to be S2S0.000
From the same report it is learned
that the surveys on the Sacramento
above this city and on the Feather
River have not been finished 1t is
fair to assume, therefore, that when
these engineering examinations are
complete, they will be reported with
recommendations equally as broad and
liberal Such a report as Colonel Su-
ter has filed Will go with great force
TO Congress and may be safely counted
upon as securing for the rivers the
appropriation recommended. 1t will
give our Congressman backing that will
command hearing for them in COM
nittee and before the two houses. We
have every reason, therefore. to be
grateful for the action of Colonel Suter
and his commission.
The great desideratum is to secure
action of some kind on the part OF
Congress, to have 1t recognize the need
Tor betterments, and to order them un-
dertaKen. These may not be just what
the people have wished for in all re-
specrs, they may not go to the extent
desired by many, but these are all mat
tiers Of engineering concern and mere
differences of opinion Let US be con-
tent that we have at last the founda-
tion Of an engineering report and rec
omnendation for real accomplishment,
a beginning which we have faith will
broaden into thorough, systematic and
continuous treatment Of the great navi-
gable rivers Of the State.
Flowing from such action as an in
evitable incident Will come private rec
lamation and generally improved valley
drainage. In this connection we must
not overlook the fact that while the
Federal Government is moving the
State also Is doing something for relief
OF river navigation The contracts let
by the Board Of Public Works, under
supervision Of its Auditing Board, for
construction of works to effect the
clearance Of Newtown shoals, have re-
ceived the approval of the Attorney
General, and we may now confidently
look forward for work to begin upon
that line at an early date