Semi=weekly graphic., 1899-10-14

October 10, 1898:
 Whereas, The Commercial League of Pine Bluff has endeavored to se- cure more advantageous rates of freight on cotton and merchandise into and out of Pine Bluff, and whereas, their endeavors have thus lar been unsuccessful, and, whereas, the members of the Executive Com mittee of this League have made ex- tensiye investigation relative to this matter;
 Therefore he it resolved; that it is the sense of this League that a steamboat line owned by the ner- chants and shippers of Pine Bluff and operated in the Arkansas river in the interest of our trade and com meree would b. a great benefit to our city iR the way of securing re- duced rates; and it is further SesOlv- ed. that we most respectfully recom- mend to the merchants and shippers of this city that they take the neces- sary steps to carry out successfully this enterprise, the importance and necessity of which must appeal to the judgment of every shipper who has given the subject thoughtful con sidera,ion.
 Adopted Oct. 10, 1899.
 RIVER FRONT.
 Resolved, First. That the changes which have taken placein the Arkan- sas river at and near this point, and the consolidation of the dykes after years of service, make it necessary that some work should be done to meet the effect of said changes and to restore the dykes to their original size before consolidation took place.
 Second. Examination shows that some injury has resulted from the notifications stated, and that very serious injury may result to the dykes and extensive revf tment work below them if another high rise of water shall come before the small amount of repair and precautionary work is done.
 Third All experience sho ws that autumn is much the best season for doing such work in this climate and on this river, the weather being dry, cool and healthy, and the river low, readily exposing for treatment the places requiring attention. So true is this that the government now has, and has had for years, large amount of stone piled up on the riv- CT bank here so as to push such work when necessary and the season shall be most favorable.
 Fourth. Judging from considera ble experience in observing work of this character, we are of the opinion that probably not more than $l0 900 expended at this time. with the ad- vantage of stone already on the ground, will suffice to perfectly safe guard for years to come the very ex- tensive and costly works in the river at and near this point, extending from above Pine Bluff to the lower end of this reach.
 Fifth. If this important and costly link in the chain of river improve ment is permitted to be destroyed through lack of small and timely expenditure for preser- vation and repair, it could only then be restored, as restored it would of necessity have to be. by a ve-y large expenditure of money. For many years the superb manner Tn which these works have successfully resist ed the attacks of the greatest floods in the history of the river, has been the most practical and convincing evil dence of the soundness of the princi- pie on which they are constructed for the purpose of giving fixation to the channel and regimen of the river.
 Sixth, The President of the Com mvrcial League is directed to send copy of these resolutions to the Hon. orable Secretary of War, and re- spectlully request him to caqse not less than $l0,000, to be allotted to this work, or what other sum the War Department may deem necessa-