The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-10-29
.5's''' . ,'n D Be BUILT
BY FEDERAL FUNDS
Even if Not Placed Under
Federal Control.
THE LEVEE CONVENTION
This Body Passes Resolutions as Above. Favors
Proposed Waterway from the Great
Lakes 10 the Gulf and
Then aojourns,
(By the Associated Press.l

10y lHc ASSOCldleu fIcSS.J
New Orleans, Oct. 2S.-The Inter- State
Mississippi River Improvement and Levee
Association concluded its session tonight
after adopting a series of resolutions III
favor OF government jurisdiction of the
levee or adequate appropriations for their
speedy construction, if government con-
troll is not advisable. and indorsing the
proposed waterway from the Great Lakes
to the Gulf, and the Chicago sanitary
canal as part Of that project. The fea-
ture of the morning session was Judge
Robert S. Taylors appeal against the
proposed movement for government own
ership.
At the opening of the afternoon session
the report of the Committee on Resolu-
tions was presented as follows:
Resolved That in the judgment of this
convention, the protection of the Mssis-
sppi Valley from foods is of such ma
tional Importance as to make it the duty
of the general government to undertake
| it and press it to the speediest possible
completion. If for any reason the cx-
ercise OF some jurisdiction at this time
by the general government should not be
deemed advisable then this convention
urges most earnestly that Congress make
at its approaching session such appropria-
tions as are recommended by the Missis-
sipp River Commission In its recent re-
port.
Resolved further That the system OF
river improvements in the Valley of the
Mississippi, from its head waters to the
Gulf, and in the valley of the Ohio and
other tributaries now provided for and
Il. ~. :lnz
for by Congress, under the supervision Of
the United States engineers moves our
hearty commentator and should be
pressed to completion without unnecessary
delay.
Resolved, That the attention of Con-
gress is invited to the serious disasters
which have befallen those residing at or
near St. Louis, Kansas City and other
localities by reason of the recent great
floods, and the Secretary Of War is re-
spectfully requested to cause an inquiry
to be made with a view to the ,prepara-
ton of suitable plans for the prevention
of a recurrence of such injuries;
'Be it resolved That the convention of
delegates representing the States Of the
great Mississippi Valley. from Duluth to
the Gulf Of Mexico, gives its unqua 'Hna
approval to the movement for the
struction of waterway connecting
| Great Lakes at the North with the
sissippi River and the Gulf of Mexico
! the South
| 1--WE recognize the expenditure OF thi
five million of dollars by the sanitary
trict OF Chicago as a practical demonst
| ton in the furtherance of this proje
We express the hope that the Senate
and REPRESENTATIVES in Congress from
I've CtatpS rpnrpCpntpd tins
vention, will give their encourageme
and assistance to Congressional leglslatl
| in favor of the completion Of the water
way, to which the Mississippi Valley States
have already given their appeal, and to
which the state of Illinois and the sanl-
tary district of Chicago are commit. i as
matter of policy and by great financial
expenditures already made"
The resolutions were received with
applause and were unanimously adopted.
committee was appointed to memo
rialize Congress with the resolutions
adopted.
President Scott then introduced Hon.
Charles S. Fairchild, of New York. who
said that as the government had aided
Itrans-continental railroad, had taken UP
irrigation of the West, and is planning an
isthmian canal, he believed the levee pro-
ject should receive equal attention from
it,
Mr.. Richard H. Edmonds. editor of the
Manufacturers Record, followed Mr..
Fairchild. He said in part:
Proper ieveeing of the Mississippi
River will bring into cultivable condition
thirty thousand square miles of alluvlal
soil upon which with the prevailing meth
odas, may be raised double the present
cotton crop of the whole country. The
world is crying for more cotton. England
and the continent are seeking to develop
it's cultivation in the heart of Africa.
Even the president of the New England
Cotton Manufacturing Association at lis
annual meeting a few weeks ago express
ed the hope that cotton production might
be increased in other countries in order
to increase the worlds supply, but here
is region which may be reclaimed ~
national work. large enough to produce
twice as much cotton as the whole South
now grows--a region which could add d
billion dollars a year to the agricultural
output of the country. That, however, Is
but a part of the value of this work.
Proper leveeing would not simply mean
that adding of 10000 900 acres or more
of the most fertile soil in the world 10
cur national domain, il would mean un-
told wealth added to the region drained
by the Mississippi and its tributaries and
the whole country. Can any man imagine
that any country in Europe, with such al
opportunity before it would hesitate for
one moment in embarking upon plan
comprehensive enough to measure up TO
such unbounded possibilities
CONTINUED on Page Five.)