The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1900-10-29
WHEELING
INTERESTED
in THE WORK
Of Further Improving the Ohio River
by the System Of Dams For
Slackwater.
CONVENTION AT CINCINNATI
VIII be Attended by Several Wheel
ing Delegates-The Work
Outlined.

| The sixth annual convention Of the
Ohio Valley Improvement Association
Is to be held at Cincinnati on Novem-
Der II and Is. and the CIncInnatIans are
making extensive preparations for the
reception and entertainment OF the
visitors, who will represent every Ohio
Valley community Of any industrial or
commercial Importance. The Wheel
Ing chamber Of commerce holds TWEEN
ty memberships In the association, and
| President Quarter will name the
Wheeling delegates In q few days. This
association, by Its work has created the
\ public sentiment that made Il possible
| for Congressman Doyener to succeed In
| his campaign for the liberal approprl-
alton for the building of the locks and
dams ut Wheeling and Marietta, and
now the association work is to have the
system Of government slackwuter Inn
provement extend down the river to
and beyond Cincinnati
What the association has aided In
having done, and what 1t proposes to
| do In the future, are set forth in the
| following open letter to the people Of
the Ohio Valley. from the ASSOCIATIONS
officers. ex-Congressman John L.
Vance. Of Galllpolls, and Mr.. E. P. Will
son. OF Cincinnati:
All citizens OF the Ohio Valley who
| are interested In tho establishment of
a permanent system Of improvement In
the Ohio river, whereby u minimum
stage Of six feet of water throughout
the entire year shall be secured. are in
vited to become members Of this Assoc
citation, and to lend q hand In the
prosecution of Its work.
The character OF work engaged In by
\ the Association Is educational, In keep
Ing before the people and before Con-
gress, and the officers OF the govern
ment. facts bearing upon the COM
merce OF the Ohio Valley, and the value
and Importance OF promoting the high
est efficiency Of the great waterways.
| by the Improvement of which that
valley can enjoy continuous water car
riage over 1000 miles In length.
| The results thus far fairly attributa-
bic to the united efforts of the Associ-
alton with other associations in the
Mississippi Valley. and with citizens Of
all classes, dwellers in these valleys.
have been most encouraging.
The United States government has
recognized the value and necessity Of
@ systematic. continuous and compre-
hensIve system of improvement.
| Congress has authorized surveys for
the location Of locks and movable dams
whereby u minimum stage of six feet
OF water may be provided for.
CONGRESS- has appropriated. and the
government has paid, money enough to
free the Monongahela river from tolls.
Congress has appropriated, and the
government has paid for the compile
ton Of the Davis Island dam.
| Congress has authorized and made
partial appropriation Of funds for con-
struction under continuous contract
system Of five locks and movable dams
south of Davis Island. and including
Beaver, Pa.
For the completion Of the work ap-
preparation has been recommended by
the war department.
Congress has authorized contracts for
erection OF locks and movable dams Mt
Wheeling and Marietta, and has pro-
vided funds for the prosecution OF the
work under the continuous contract
system.
The secretary OF war, chief Of engin-
GERS and engineers In charge of Ohio
Valley improvement have caused sur
veys to be made. practically locating all
locks and movable dams necessary to
complete this system as far south as
the mouth Of the Big Miami river.
Surveys are required TO locate locks
and movable dams to complete the sys-
ten from Big Miami to Cairo, and
should be authorized by the present
| Congress.
The recommendations now before
Congress contemplate placing under
continuous contract system the cor
struction of these improvements. CIV
ing preferenceto those which are located
near or below large cities or the mouths
Of natlgable tributaries. whereby the
largest number OF people will be imme-
diatcly benefited. The order of future
contracts for construction recommend
ed md now before the river and harbor
committee OF Congress, contemplatcg
additional authority and appropriations
for
able dams Mt point below Cincinnati,
between Cullum's Rifle and Modoc Bar.
This will provide n harbor for Cincin-
natl 80 miles in length, and practically
clear obstruction to navigation between
Cincinnati and Louisville.
2. The construction OF n lock and NOV
able dam below Point Pleasant and Gal
lipolis. which will provide harbor for
commerce OF the Great Kannwha as well
rs for that section OF the Ohio embraced
| In the survey.
3. Other dams to be located rs per sur
| veys already reported and contemplnt-
ed, rs fast as Congress may provide the
funds.
So much has been accomplished. So
much remains to be done that every cit
lien. every corporation and firm from
the hendwatcrs OF the Ohio and its trIb-
tuar!es to the mouth OF the MississIppI.
Is interested In the result, and should
contribute labor and support 10 the en-
terprlse.
| Therefore. nil nrc invited to Join tho
Association, and attend the convention
at Cincinnati, where nil facts and cir
cumstances VIII be considered. and
plans Will be laid to pursue this import-
ant work to n successful finish.
All parties who expect to be present
at this convention are requested to ad-
wise the secretary, 80 far ns possible. in
advance. to the end that ample provI-
sion may be made for the comfort OF
| Nil. go -
The Arrangements for this convention
hnvc been undertaken by committee
embracing citizens OF Cincinnati from
all branches OF commerce and industry,
and large and interesting meeting is
thereby assured.