The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-01-17
TIE RIVER AND HARBoR BILL.

TEE RIVER AND HARBOR BILL.
Carries $4,000 for Improvement of
| the Potomac.
The River and Harbor Appropriation
| bill, passed by the House yesterday, was
| reported from the Committee on Rivers
| and Harbors on January 4. The number
of projects for which appropriations are
made under the bill is 40S of which
232 are classified under the head of rivers,
and 176 under that of harbors. The amount
| carried for expenditures during the fiscal
year ending June 80, 1907, is s22, 1872, III. 80.
| Authority is given for mourning obliga-
lions for the prosecution or completion of
| river and harbor works under the contin-
| uing contract system, aggregating S37, 49,
l04.02. The total amount carried, there
fore, by the bill is 1895, 414.S2.
Among the items of local interest in
the bill are: Improving the Potomac Riv-
er, at the city Of Washington, SIS, 600; i'm
proving Elk River, Maryland, $4,000;
Chester River Maryland, So, $50; Choptank
River, Maryland, $4,000; Warwick River,
| Maryland, $4,000; Pocomoke River. Mary
land, $4,000; Patuxent River, Maryland
$4,000; Lower Machodoc Creek, Virginia
81 100: Rappahannock River, Virginia.
SIS, 600; Carter's Creek, Virginia, $4,000;
| River, Virginia, s250,000; Appomattox
River, Virginia. $500
Provision is made for the extension of
projects heretofore placed under con-
tinuing contract, provided the total ex-
pense including such extension does not
exceed the amount originally authorized
in the following cases:
New Haven, Conn, by extension OF
limits of Improvement
In fol nv. II
for repairs and alterations IN the break
water extension.
Winyah Bay South Carolina, by author
iZing dredging of shallow places between
the entrance to the bay and the city OF
Georgetown, S. c.
Cumberland Sound, Georgia, and Tampa
Bay, Florida, by authorizing the coDstruc-
tion and equipment of dredge at each
locality, which, however, it !s thought will
not increase, but rather diminish the total
cost.
Removal of rocks in San Francisco Har-
Dor by including Blossom Rock with those
to be removed. ~ 5t
The Illinois and Mississippi Canal. by
authorization for the construction of a lock
in Rock River In connection with the dam
already provided for.
Provision is made that the act pertain
ing to examinations and surveys at South
Pass mouth of the Mississippi River. shall
remain in full force, notwithstanding the
termination this month of the contract
with the late James B. Eads and asso-
ciates. Since 1875 this has been con-
tinuing appropriation, but the phraseology
of the act leaves some doubt as to whether
1t would remain effective after the termi-
nation of the contract referred to.
The total of estimates for expenditures
for river and harbor work for the seal
year ending June 80. 1902, exclusive of
Ss,751. 317s6 for continuous work hereto
fore authorized by Congress, submitted by
the Chief of Engineers in his annual re-
port for 1900, is s25. 217, 800. This does not
include estimates for new projects not
heretofore adopted or appropriated for by
Congress.
Numerous new projects in addition to
those reported before the preparation of
the report of the Chief of Engineers were
brought to the attention of the committee
by the filing of reports or surveys sub
sequently to the annual report referred to.
The total amount required for the COM
pletion of projects for river and harbor
works, the cost of which has been esti-
mated by the War Department, now ap-
proximates s300.000,0 900.
The bill includes provisions for repeating
prior legislation on certain subjects and
some new provisions of law.
Section provides for the organization,
In the office OF the Chief of Engineers, of
board of five engineer officers. whose
duty IL shall be to examine the reports
upon examinations and surveys, provided
for by Congress, and submit recommended
lions thereon; also to examine. either of
their own accord or upon request trans
mitted to the Chief of Engineers by the
Committee on Rivers and HarbOrs of the
House of Representatives. or the Com
mittee on Commerce of the Senate. prof.
ects heretofore adopted. The object aimed
at by the creation of this board is to ee-
cure greater uniformity in the recon-
mendations and reports as to various
projects in the country and the examina-
ton of existing projects the further pros
ecut!on of which is questionable.
Section authorizes the President, by
diplomatic negotiations or otherwise, to
enter into agreements with view 20 Sc
curing suitable levels in the Great Lakes
and connecting waters between the United
States and Canada II would be in the
power either of citizens of the United
States or of Canada, by the construction
of divertiDg works or power canals, 10
lower channels absolutely essential for
navigation. Information has reached the
committee to the effect that the Canadian
Government is ready 10 enter into nego-
tiations upon the subject. and it is thought
that agreements can be reached which
will readily solve this problem in man
ner for the mutual interest OF both coun-
tries