The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1898-02-05
A BILL.
To Provide for the Construction and
Maintenance Of Levees Along the
Banks Of the Mississippi River
and for Other Purposes.

House of Representatives of the
United States of America ii
Congress assembled,
That the Mississippi River Com
mission under the supervision OF
the Chief Of Engineers, is hereby
directed to prepare and submit TO
the Secretary of War detail ed
plans, specifications, and estimates
for the construction and mainten-
ance of levess wherever in their
Judgment they may be necessary to
protect from overflow the alluvial
lands of the valley of the Missis-
sippi River, on both banks thereof,
from the hills a few miles above
Cairo to the head of the Passes.
Such plans and specifications
shall be accompanied by maps
showing the proposed loca-
ton of such levees, and shall in
clude all levees now in existence.
no matter by whom constructed,
so far as in the judgment of the
said commission they can be util-
lied as part of the system OF
levees contemplated under the
provisions of this Act. The plans
and specifications to be submitted
aba ..,. !, Z cSntain estimates Of the sg-
gregate cost of constructing such
levees, of the cost of constructing
levees in the several levee districts
heretofore created by virtue Of
the laws of the several riparian
States, of the cost of constructing
levees where no such levee districts
exist, and of the probable annual
cost of maintaining the proposed
levees when they shall have been
constructed or acquired MS herein
after provided.
Sec. 2. That when said plans,
specifications, and estimates have
been submitted to and approved
by the Secretary of War, he shall
proceed to have the proposed le-
wees located, constructed, and en-
larged in accordance Herewith as
rapidly as the work can be proper
ly done, and for that purpose the
sum of five million dollars is here
by appropriated, to be paid out of
any money in the Treasury not
otherwise appropriated, to be i'm
mediately available, and to be ex-
pended under the direction Of the
Secretary of War and the super-
vision of the Chief of Engineers;
Provided, That on and after the
approval of such plans, specifca-
tons, and estimates by the Secre-
tary of War contracts may be en-
tered into by him, in addition TO
such as he may make for the eX
penditure of the sum hereby sp-
nronriated, for such material and
work as may be necessary to carry
N continuously the project of To- t
eating, constructing, and enlarg-
ng such levees, or said materials |
nay be purchased and said work
lone otherwise than by contract '
. be paid for as appropriations !
nay from time to time be made by a
aw, not exceeding in the aggro- a
ate fifteen million dollars, exolu, g.
i've of the amount herein appro. g
rated: Provided further, That p
y virtue of such additional con- Il
racts the Secretary Of War shall az
OF obHgate tbs Government to W
ay more than five million dollars W
any eng fiscal year. hi
Sec. 3. That no part of the be
oney hereby appropriated, ex- tn
pt so much as may be required sy
the preparation Of said plans, en-
ecifcations, and estimates, and lis
additional contracts as herein an
shall be expended OF Sc
tered into for the purpose of to-
nstructing or enlarging leVees in thu
; several levee districts now es" Be
Jlished in pursuance ct Stats re'
,islation until the title 10 oil mi
-ees now existing In such levee Of
tricts, With the right Of wny eVt
,urtenant thereto, shall have col
n lawfully conveyed to and ma
.ed n alb, s.lg United States of an
erica: Provided, however, the
{ the Secretary of War shall vii
,eed to locate, construct, and to
roe levees in such of said le-
districts as may cause the title' b,
~ I.rnaa embraced within 1
r limits, with the right II, way ing
aiming thereto, to be- lawfully cha
eyed to and Vested in the the