Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-02-03
Agitation in Cities Along the Miss
issippi For Six Foot Channel
HEDGE, A CHAMPION OF THE MEASURE
Inland congressman Are Looked Up
on AS Being Hostile to Such Legis-
Iation-Anxiety Over Safety of Two
Iowa Missionaries in Morocco.
TBY H. j. MAHIN.1

Washington. d. c., Jan. 30-The
movement which is now under way in
Iowa towns along the Mississippi riv-
er to secure an appropriation from con-
gress to maintain at least six foot
channel at low water mark from st.
Louis to st. Paul, has the approval and
will have the support of Congressman
Hedge. Being a prominent member
of the committee on Mississippi levees
and improvements. Mr.. Hedge is in a
position to push the matter along. Mr..
Hedge said today that the movement
was good one and practical. ut
would certainly be much BETTER" he
said, 'to spend money Systematically
along the whole river so as to make
navigation safe and comfortable along
the whole route rather than to spend
large sums on the channel and the lev
ees in front of certain favored towns. ;"
A large number of towns along the
Mississippi river are holding meetings
and sending in petitions favoring this
plan. The matter has not as yet been
put in the form of bill or brought be-
fore the house. There will be no chance
for any action at this session, but lines
will undoubtedly be laid for some ac-
ton next fall.
Congressman Rumple is also men,
Der of the Mississippi river improve
ments committee and were he here
would be in line with Mr.. Hedge to
push the matter. The rest of the Iowa
delegation are naturally rather luke
warm on the matter No doubt some as
sistance can be expected from Judge
Birdsall but the representatives
from inland towns have not
very good opinion OF river
improvements. In the case of
Col Pete" Hepburn this unfavor-
able opinion grows to be absolute de-
testation If there is anything that
the river and harbor bill. He can no
doubt be depended upon to oppose the
enactment OF any legislation looking
toward this perpetual six foot channel
and his OPPOSITION vii be a most for
midable obstruction in the pathway of
success. However, concerted move
ment OF all the congressman hailing
from districts along the river would
make strong showing.
Some anxiety is being expressed and
felt over the safety of two Iowa mis-
sionaries in Fee, Morocco. Mr.. and
Mrs. Welliver OF Sioux City have been
in Fee for some time and are in the
midst of the uprising OF that country
at this time. Mr.. Welliver is brother
of Jud Welliver editor of the Sioux
City Tribune, and also of Mrs. M. Welli-
yer of Cherokee. Mrs. Welliver recently
wrote letter to senator Dolliver ex-
pressing her anxiety and the latter i'm
mediately Queried the state depart
ment. He received reply today 1t
was to the effect that the United States
consul general at Tangiers had the
news informing him that the army
of the Sultan of Morocco had been an
initiated by the army Of the pretend
er to the throne. In consequence, all
consular offices had been directed to
warn all missionaries and Christians
in inland towns to proceed to towns on
tie coast. At Fee. where Mr.. and Mrs.
Welliver We're, there is no United
States consul, but there are representa-
tives of Great Britain, Germany and
France. There are many Europeans
there and the British consul requested
that the consul have them all escort
ed to the coast under military protec-
tion and under the British flag. There
is no definite news to the effect, but it
is supposed that Mr.. and Mrs. Welliver
are in that party which must be now on
its way to one OF the coast towns.
Anxiety OF course will not cease until
the parties are heard from.
In the postoffice appropriation bill