The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-05-10
APPEAL To Mr.. ROOT
sAvANNAH's ONE CHANCE FOR Uy-
EXPENDED BALANCE.
ONLY $4,000 OTHERWISE.
CHIEF OF ENGINEERS REPLIES TO
CAPT. GILLETTE.

HAD River and Harbor BiIa Passed
There Would Have Been No DIM
cuity--Money still In Treasury,
nut Engineer Officers Doubt Their
Authority to Use Ht--sccretnry OF
War May Exercise His Discretion
IL Appealed To.
Washington. May s.--war Department
officials are not able to convince them
selves that the unexpended balance of the
River and Harbor appropriation for Sa-
vannah may be used for additional dredg-
ing so strongly urged by Capt Gillette.
Since the failure of the passage Of the
River and Harbor bill in the last Con-
gress, Capt. Gillette has pressed upon the
attention Of the chief of engineers the
Importance and the necessity of an addi-
tional expenditure for dredging in Sa-
vannah harbor. 1t has been customary
since the Savannah project was COM
menced to make an annual allowance Of
about $4,000 for dredging alone. That
amount can and will be expended with
out any further action on the part Of
the War Department or the sanction by
Congress.
The correspondence which has recently
passed between Capt. Gillette and the
chief of engineers presnts with commend
able force the necessity for extensive
dredging in that harbor. He would like to
have at his disposal during the coming
fiscal year at least sS5OO00 He contends
that the subject was fully explained to
the Committee on Rivers and Harbors by
Representative Lester, and had the River
and Harbor bill. as 1t passed the House,
become a law, ample provision would
have been made for the extra amount OF
dredging required. While there is no dis
position to controvert the force of his ar
guments or retard the Improvement Of
Savannah harbor. the chief Of engineers
contends that he must be guided in the
expenditure of the public moneys by a
strict Interpretation Of the law.
Might Appeal TO Ngr. Root.
II has been suggested, however. that IL
the commercial and maritime interests Of
Savannah should unite in a strong appeal
to the Secretary of War. the latter might
see his way clear to exercise such discre-
/ tlon as the eondluonS warrant, and per-
init further draft upon the money al
ready appropriated. but not yet expended
for the Improvements in Savannah harbor
| The engineer officers are favorably in
| elined IN that direction, but they contend
| that iu view of the financial troubles Of
| Capt. Carter and Others growing out of
the public expenditures at Savannah, they
do not feel justified in spending money
for dredging, which the law specifically
states shall be used for the construction
of dikes or tarbor blines. They are frank
to confess that more than $4,000 can be
properly expended for dredging at Sa-
vannah but they decline to take the re-
sponsibility of going beyond the $4,000
limit generally conceded 20 be the amount
intended for that purpose.
II s understood that Capt. Gillette has
the subject of calling upon the CONNER
cial bodies of Savannah to assist him in
making the formal presentation OF the
case to the Secretary of War, under con-
sideration, and some definite action in
that direction may be expected at an early
day.
To Build "A Deep Sea DredRe.
The chief of engineers is preparing plans
and specifications for the construction OF
deep-sea dredge to cost $780, to be
nsed in Cumberland sound. This money
was appropriated under former act, and
has been available for some time. bur ow-i
ing 10 the high price of material. the work
of construction has been delayed. II IS
now believed that dredge similar to that
now under construction for Charleston,
can be completed within the next nine
months within the appropriation named.