The record-union., 1898-01-24
THE CALIFORNIA LETTER.
California, oct. II, 1871

THE CALIFORNIA LETTER
California. Oct II, 1896.
Brigadier-G General John NJ. Wilson.
Washington. d. C.-Dear Sir: Inc IN
dersigned members of the Callofnla
delegation respectfully beg to call your
attention to the following facts:
In 1893 there was constituted by an
Act of Congress what is known as the
California Debris Commission having
charge of the work OF construction CT
barriers in TIE Feather River or Cali
fornia. In 1896 and during the month
of Nav there was constituted the Sac
ramento River Commission, which has
charge Of the improvement OF the Sac
1amento River. in this State. These
commissions which are the same, were
TO report plan for the Improvement OF
the Sacramento River and also a plan
for the construction of impoundlng
dams in the Feather River. An ap-
preparation cf S250,000 was made fer
the latter work, and an appropriation OF
$4,000 was made for the expenses OF
the commission.
These facts are all familiar to your
self The people of this State interest
ed in these works are suffering great in
jury by reason of the fact that these
boards do not report. The state OF
California. appreciating and realizing
the Improvement needed for the Sacfa-
mento River, made a State appfoprla-
ton of $500 coo for that purpose. Inc
Board of Public Works of the State OF
California has charge of the eXpendl-
ture of this money. 1t cannot be ex-
pended until these boards report, by
reason of the fact that it IS not au-
thorized to make river improvements
They are willing to use it under the
direction of the United States engineers,
and in accordance with the plan sub
mitted by them, but no plan has been
submitted. A great number OF the pop
ulation of our State await the submls
sion of these plans.
Members of the California delegation
in Congress and of the State Commis-
sion of this State interested in this
work have called upon the United
States engineers constituting SAID
boards in San Francisco, and can get
TO definite information from them as
to when these reports will he made.
The State engineers of this state
have in a short time made the surveys
necessary and submitted plans for the
improvement Of the rivers. In view
of the foregoing facts. We believe that
the United States engineers at san
Francisco can and should by the lst
day of January, 1898. report plan for
the Improvement of the Sacramento
River and for the construction or the
impounding dams in the Feather River
we know that such reports would
satisfy a great number of our people.
We further know from conversation
with members of the River and H2r-
Dor Committee of the House. who have
visited the Sacramento River this sum-
ner that if such reports are submit
ted by that time, a large appropriation
can be obtained from Congress for the
Improvement or these rivers during the
coming session. and that without these
reports such appropriation will be diff
f.cult to obtain.
We further wish 10 say, that the State
authorities are loath 10 permit the use
of the States appropriation until the
Federal authorities have met it with a
similar appropriation We are further
advised that you are personally familiar
with the need of the improvement Of
the Sacramento River and of the con-
struction of the impounding dams men
toned.
We therefore earnestly request of you
to direct said commission to submit q
report TO you in time that yeu may sub
nit the same TO Congress by the Ist
day OF January 1898. or IN case this IS
not dene. that you submit an estimate
of reasonable appropriation in view OF
the premises to Congress. that no fur
ther delay may be ocoasioned by the
failure of Congress to act on this mat
ter during the coming session. Very
respectfully submitted.
GEO. c. PERKINS. L. s. s.,
S C. HII.BORN, N. c.,
MARION DE yRIES. NJ. c.