The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-04-21
SABINE LAKE CHANNEL.
Mr.. Cooper Speaks on the Importance OIL
The Project
BELIEVES THE COST WAS OyERESTINATED
In Former Survey and VIII lie
Greatly Reduced in the New SUR
Vcy by Government Engineers.

Beaumont, Texas, April 2o.-The meet
ing at tho board OF trade rooms last night
was a success The attendance was not
large. but It was representative, and an
interest in the proceedings was manifest
ed which assures that Beaumont viii DO
everything possible to obtain the Sabine
lake ship channel.
Organization was effected by the cleo
ton OF Congressman S. B, Cooper chair
man Messrs. Mike Welker and s. II. Nc
Gary we're named secretaries.
Congressman Cooper had stated the OBJ
ject Of the meeting Tuesday night and a
substance OF his remarks were published
in Tho Post this morning, He went more
into details last night. As preface he
stated that the object OF the meeting, as
he understood it. WAS to devise ways and
means for promoting deep water across
Sabine lake to the mouths of tho Sabine
and Neohes rivers which meant deep
/ water to Beaumont aud Orange lie then
explained that he had spent the day In
Orange and the citizens there haf Cp-
1 pointed committee and expressed de-
/ sire TO cooperate with Beaumont III pro-
/ noting work IN which both cities were
equally Interested
Continuing, Congressman Cooper In sub
stance said I'm the rivers and harbors
bill of the last congress- there was pro-
vision requiring the appointment Gf ar
! engineer or board OF engineers to examine
1 Sabine lake looking to resurvey Tor 0
ship channel from deep water 10 the
mouths of the Sabine and Neches rivers. y
He had recently correspondent with Ctr-
eral Wilson In which he called attention
10 the provision mentioned. In The Ger.
rospondence II was also explalled that
former survey Of the proposed channel had
been made, but that the results were far
from satisfactory TO the people. The esti-
mated cost was regarded as largely excess
siVe, and there were other recommended
lions from the engineer which did not au-
pear as Just. Tho generals attention was
also called to other objections ~ the clan
mol which had reached the department,
l one OF them being declaration that ga,
bine lake was settling basin which. I
closed by n ship channel would cause thu
harbor of Sabine Pass to be impaired h,
deposits from the rivers He Insisted
that the former report OF the engineer va.
unfair appeared prejudiced. WAS ic okcd
on with suspicion, aud he asked Genera
Wilson TO appoint an engineer who vii
make the survey satisfactorily TO tia REQ
pie interested.
AS the result OF this corraspnrasncs
the following letter.
Hon S. Cooper. Beaumont. Texas.
Ofhce United States Engineer. New Or
leans. April 1I.--Your letter Of April IN
1899, to General John NJ, wilson chief o
engineers, T. S. A., regarding the surve,
aud re- examination OF the channel through
Sabine lake. provided for in the river am
hsrbor act Of March g. 1899, has been re,
ferred to me-
In conformity with tho provision Of IN,
act referred to. n board of engineers con
lsislng Of Captain Charles Rlcho. Captain
Clement a. +, Flagler. corps OF engineers
aud myself have been appointed to max,
rec examination OF the channel through
Sabine lake.
The board expects to be nj Sabine Pas.
about ~ o'clock Friday. April 81. 1899
passing through Beaumont on the morning
Of that day.
The board will he pleased to meet IN;
citizens Interested and receive from Their
such data as viii no OF use In a prope,
consideration Of the question of re-eyatn
nation and particularly as to the prone,
nerson 10 have in local charge OF the sur,
vey, enc in whom the citizens will hav,
tull confidence. Very respectfully,
James r. Quinn.
Major Corps OF Engineers. Senior Memhe,
Of Board,
Without discussing the letter Congress
man Cooper again made the announcement
that without favorable report from IN,
government engineers as a representative,
I, would be lmposslble for him 10 ohtai,
an appropriation from congress.
In his opinion Il was no, improhabl,
hat objections to the former report ooul,
be overcome by resurvey. Since III,
hrst survey government eneineers had In,