The Savannah morning news., 1901-06-08
CAN'T GET THE MONEY.
Secretary of War Turns Down sa-
vannah Harhor Petitions.

The effort TO have Sf35.54053 expended
by the government in increasing the depth
Of the Savannah river from the city TO
the sea has proven unsuccessful. 1t was
desired to have this unexpended balance
lying to the credit CT the Savannah har-
Dor account in the United States treasury
diverted from its original purpose of ex-
tending training walls and constructing
d breakwater to the deepening of the
channel.
In a letter to the Mayor. received yes
terday, Secretary of War Root showed
that the department is without authority
at present to consider the petition Of the
Mayor, the Board of Trade, the Cotton
Exchange and others favorably. The COM
mercial bodies wanted the balance so eX-
pended. but it seems that Congress only
has authority in the matter. The follow
iEg is the letter received by the Mayor
from Secretary Root:
THE department is in receipts of
petition, signed by yourself. the presi-
dents OF the Board of Trade and the
Cotton Exchange of Savannah, represen-
tatives of all the railroads having ocean
terminals at that point of the regular
lines of steamers sailing from the port,
NiiN q SAId maj Oiily VI the ltdhll45 JUN
ness firms interested in shipping, ask
ing that that portion of the project adopt
ed by the act of June 3. 1896, providing
for the extending of training walls and
construction of breakwater. be abandon
ed. and that the available balance of
S436, $40. 50 be expended in dredging the
channel between the city of Savannah and
the ocean to a depth of rs feet.
I'm submitting his report the chief of
NarvtVz \ l.
of great Importance to the maritime and
commercial interests at Savannah. and
the abandonment of breakwater construc-
ton and expenditure of the available
funds for dredging would be in the in
terest of the improvement and would be
in accord with the intentions of Congress,
as evidenced by the item for Savannah
harbor in the harbor and river act, which
passed both houses of Congress at the
last session, but failed to become a law.
That officer further adds that, notwith
standing these facts, it would appear that
the project adopted by the act of June
3, 1895, must be considered in effect until
actually changed by congressional action;
and in his opinion ii does not appear
permissible to abondon the breakwater
construction and expend the balance, as
requested by the petition.
Upon reference of the papers to the
law omcer or the department ne returns
them fully concurring in the views of the
chief of engineers, and remarks that the
mere Endorsement of an item in a bill
0he bill itself falling to become a law,
could not be considered as authority for
changing the project. The approval Of
the item while the bill was pending was
merely tentative and it fell with the
bill.
''In view of the foregoing it would APP
pear that the department is without au-
thority at present to favorably consider
the petition
Mayor Myers said that this settles the
matter for the time being. Nothing fur
Their can be done. 1t will remain, he said,
for those interested to bring pressure to
bear upon Congress at the next session
to secure the expenditure Of the balance
in the manner desired This pressure, he
said WI IL crtainlv he aNerted.