The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-01-16
THE RIVER AND HARBOR BILL.
House May Reach a Vote Lnte This
Afternoon

Discussion of the sections Of the River
and Harbor bill, making provision for the
Improvement of rivers and harbors, which
has been in progress in the House Of Rep
resentatiyes since the passage Of the Re
aPDortionment bill one week ago. was
concluded al 2:10 o'clock this afternoon.
The House then passed 10 the considera-
ton Of section ., providing for prelimina-
" surveys, and section providing for the
creation of a board Of engineers TO pass
on all reports and recommendations Of
surveys and examinations for river and
harbor works.
At the rate OF progress making at 2:30
o'clock d vote VIII be reached at about
O'Clock
Mr. Cushman VIII move to recommit
the biz and viii ask for a roll call on
this
The HUase. in Committee Of the Whole.
resumed consideration OF the bill al 1910
o'clock, taking up the measure at the
paragraph appropriating $500, coo for the
improvement OF thS Missouri River be
low Sioux City.
Mr.. Thomas Of Iowa offered an amend
ment making Z verbal change. which was
accepted by the Committee OF the Whole
Mir. D0ugherty offered an amendment
that IN certain contingencies individuals
might, under restrictions Of the Secretary
CT War, erect structures for the protection
OF the banks Of the river, or make cOnt-i-
buttons Of material to the Government.
Mir. Burton. in charge Of the bill, op-
posed the amendment He offered a sub
sJitUJe that shore owners and municipali-
ties might erect dykes and dams SO as
not, II the opinion Of the United States
engineers TO Interfere with he 77yiVa-
ton of the river.
Mr. Hepburn favored Mr.. DougEerty's
amendment lie was favorable 10 any
reasonable pr position, he said, which
would tend 70 preserve the banks OF the
Missouri
The section in the bill giving rise to
the discussion recites: Improving Mis-
souri, River below Sioux City, continuing
Improvement. S3Go. 600 which shall be ex-
pended il the Improvement of such por-
lions Of said river as the Secretary Of
War may designate, and such portions Of
said appropriation as he may deem nee
essary may be expended for the improve
ment OF tributary streams Of said river
heretofore under Improvement under he
direction Of the Missouri River Commits
sion
At the request Of Mr.. Curtis. the
amendment OF Mr. Dougherty and the
substitute Of Mr. Burton were again re-
ported
Mr.. Clark supported the Dougherty
amendment. He said the Missouri and
Mississippi Rivers should be maintained
as navigable streams. even though no
freight was carried. because this would be
CT value as q regulator of freight rates.
On the Missouri River when a farmer
sought to protect the banks Of his farm
The Federal Government stopped him for
interfering with the navigabiIiLy OF tie
river, and when people asked for an ap-
preparation TO improve the navigation Of
the river. the Federal Government said
the river is Lot navigable. IT IS a Gov
erEmental shell game, said 3Ir. Clark
He considered it just as important TO pre-
serve the lands OF the Mississippi Valley
as to acquire new lands in the Orient.
Mr. BUrtons amendment to the amend
ment was agreed 10. and the amendment
as amended was adopted
3Ir- Hepburn offered an amendment au-
rh2oF5z1nE the SSssFetsr. EA-@s--te-- pre-
serve the sta oiIity Of the banks CT the
Missouri. Mr. Burton opposed the amend-
ment On a division the vote was 68 ayes,
80 noes Mr. Burton called for teIlers
and the Amendment was defeated, . ayes,
So noes.