The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-06-18
East Side Citizens to Request an
Extra Session of the Legis-
lature.
NEED FUNDS TO BUILD LEVEE.
Congressman Rodenberg Arranges
for Mass Meeting to Perfect
Plans for Protection of
Flooded Districts

public meeting is planned for East st.
| Louis at which the Governor will be petit
| toned to call special session of the Legis-
lature to afford relief to the American Bot
| toms by the passage of a law converting
this section into one or more drainage dis
| tricts and authorizing the issuance of bonds
! for the construction of levee from the
bluffs at Alton to the bluffs in Monroe Coun-
| ty. below East ST. Louis
| Congressman W. A. Rodenberg in whose
| district the territory affected lies. is tax
| ing the matter up in a systematic manner
| and he will probably call the meeting as
| soon as the waters recede. and the represen-
| tatfves of the various industrial and other
| interests on the East side, can be conmu-
| ncated with.
| So far az the municipalities of the East
Side are concerned. all are in favor of the
proposed levee.
The railroads are perhaps the most deep
ly interested. and 1t is believed that they
Will support the plan for ,evee.
Farmers and manufacturers are hearth
ly in favor of the plan.
BELIEVE LEvEE is
ABSOLUTE NECESSITY
Congressman Rodenberg believes that the
levee is absolutely necessary, as until it is
built there is no assurance that the East
Side will not be flooded at frequent in
tervals.
The levee to be proof against the river.
1t is said. will be built out of rock. cement
and earth. with probably piling in places.
1t is roughly estimated that the cost OF
the levee would be from 100000 to 800
600. but as it is estimated that the prop
erty and business losses during the flood
will greatly exceed this sum. East Siders
look upon the building of the levee as an
excellent investment.
AS soon possible, City Engineer Helm
of East St. Louis will make an estimate as
to the probable cost of the levee, and proper
materials out of which 1t should be con-
structed and fits height.
Prominent residents of East st. Louis do
not think that the Governor will refuse TO
call an extra session of the Legislature, II
the petition is submitted in the proper way.
as the cost of a special session for one or
two days. which. It is said. will be all that
is necessary to pass the bill, will be about
$500
The session. 1t is argued. will be as
measure of relief for the East Side and the
Governor it is thought. will look on it in
that light
THREE PER CENT BONDS
ARD SUGGESTED.
Suggestions have already been made as
to the sort of bonds to be issued for the
levee and the constitutionality of the law.
Congressman Rodenberg stated yesterday
that these could be sold for per cent
the East Side is rich and the bonds. he be-
lieved. would stand as well as Government
bonds.
So far as the constitutionality of the law
is concerned. Congressman Rodenberg be-
lieves that it would be an excellent idea to
employ lawyers. who are experts on con-
stitutional law. to draw up the act.
AT a meeting of the Relief Committee
yesterday resolutions were passed which
asked the factories and mills in East ST
Louis to pay their employees weekly. instead
of monthly or semimonthly for a period of
two months.
BY this means. it is thought. that the
workinsmen will be greatly relieved and
will be better able to get fresh start.
The committee also thanked Governor
Yates for calling out the militia and the
naval reserves. and thanked both bodies of
men. making especial mention of the naval
reserves