Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1900-01-26
RIVER IMPROVEMENTS.
Pittsburg Committee makes an
~ Appeal for Them.

Action Of Congress in Case Of The Ten
nessee River is Cited as a Reason For
action Here-Purchase of the Monon-
y gahela Navigation Co., Stands in the
Way OF the Plan.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 26-Captains
John S. bravo and William j. Wood
Of the Pittsburg coal exchange, who
appeared before the river and harbor
committee to urge the immediate re-
pair of the dilapidated locks and
dams on the Monongahela, especially
lock and dam number two, were for
tunate in the fact that they were pre-
cededsby delegation which secured a
large appropriation for the improve
ment of the Tennessee river. Members
of this delegation Informed the COM
mittee that the average annual COM
merce of the Tennessee amounted to
$40, 900 tons. The Government has
already spent about SIS, 200, 600 on the
Tennessee, and it will take an addi-
tional s., 900, 900 to complete the inn
provements
When Captain bravo got the floor
he contrasted the tonnage of the Ten
nessee with that of the Monongahela,
which last year was about 1000. 600
tons, an increase of !, 900, 600 tons over
the previous year. He pointed out
that this showing made it clear the
Monongahela was giving excellent re-
turns for the money spent on it by
the Government, and that it was well
worthy of the further Improvements
asked
From the questions asked and sug
gestions made by Chairman Burton
aud other members of the committee
it is evident considerable soreness still
exists in the committee over the man
ner in which the Government pur-
chased the locks and dams Of the Mo-
nongahela Navigation Company.
When Captain bravo was arguing in
favor of an immediate appropriation
of $500, 600 for the repair of lock and
dam No. whose walls have fallen,
Chairman Burton inquired il when
the Government was about to take
over the navigation company's prop
erty it had not been represented that
condition.
The captain answered that the coal
exchange, for which he spoke, made
no such representations. "But as a
matter of fact" Mr.. Burton persisted
F"we were told that the navigation
comDany's locks and dams were in
good condition when the Government
purchased them -
''All can say" Captain bravo an
have fallen down."
This brought laugh from the
members of the committee. Captain
Wood then asked to be heard on the
point, and stated that the coal ex-
change was the only organization that
opposed the award to the navigation
company. The Governments repre-
sentative at Pittburg had not opposed
it, and he understood he was after
Government representative alluded to
was Major Bixby, now in charge Of the
Ohio river improvement.
1t was learned from another source
that the coal exchange employed two
of the ablest lawyers in Plttsburg to
come to Washington and appear be-
fore the attorney general in opposition
to the award of So, 600, 900 to the nav
igation company. A day was fixed
for this hearing, but before it arrived
Attorney general McKenna telegraph
ed to the lawyers that he had decided
not to hear them in person, but that
they might submit briefs. This was
the end of the matter. The briefs
were submitted but the award stood
and was paid. AS result each time
\ an appropriation is asked of the river
and harbor committee for the i'm
provement of the Monongahela this
award is brought up afresh as rea-
son why nothing should be done.
However, there is little doubt the
Monongahela will get fair treatment
if there is river and harbor bill this
year. The pressure for such bill
grows stronger each day, and there is
more probability now that moderate
bill will be reported than there was a
while back.
The Senate committee c& fisheries
today favorably reported Senator Ell
kins bill appropriating $25, 900 for a
government fish hatchery in West
Virginia.