The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1903-11-07
Use the Levees for KOadways
Any More
SAYS raE lEytt BOARD
Il Is Very Bad Habit and VIII Get Scmsbcd,
Into Trouble-An Earnest Plea From Dr.
Atterbury for Cooperation.
Office Of the Board OF Mississippi
Levee Commissioners.
Greenville, Oct. 20, 1903.
Editor Greonville Times,

| Love6 Commissioners.
Greenville, Oct. 2S, 1908,
Editor Greonville Times,
City.
| Dear Sir:--'
The matter Of clearing the rights
| Of way along the line of levees in
| this district has bectme Of such vital
| Importance that the members Of the
board feel that every tax payer Ia the
district should be fully informed %
to the facts. With shis in view, !
send you copies of the minutes of the
board and Of the acts OF the Mississip-
pi River Commission, which fully
shows the conditions.
The action of the River Commits
sion and of the u. s. officials in this
district are Of the greatest impor-
tance. The Commission has practically
determined to appropriate no more
money for lines Of levee, which are
used as roadways and not fully pro-
tected from tresspass Il is . fact
known to all, that we can do only .
small part in the vast work Of levee
protection without government aid,
and we should do all IN our power to
meet the reasonable requirements Of
the Commission. Capt. Lucas. the
U. s. official in charge Of this dis
trict, has promised that the policing
Of the levees be 50 vested as to make
cases Of trespass triable in the U. 3.
courts. II this we've done. very heavy
penalties would be enforced against
tresspassers, fines from $4,000 to
$500. 0Os being customary In punish
ment for such offenses.
The board has paid $21 $685. TX in
the counties Of Bolivar, Washington
and Issaquena, in written contracts
with the respective boards Of super
visors (paying in each case what the
board of supervisors claimed as snifi-
cient) to establish county roads away
from the levee, making travel on the
levee unnecessary.
1t has employed guards and insti-
tuted suits, which in some cases,
magistrates, supported by local public
opinion, have refused to prosecute.
1t has paid large amouns for rights
Of way, and in numerous cases. the
property holders have failed and even
refused to remove fences and other
distractions ON the rights Of way, the
removal for which they had accepted
payment.
We feel that the officials Of the
board can do nothing of permanent
value without the active aid OF the
tax payers, who, above all, are inter-
ested in the preservation and improve
ment of the levees.
Having In good faith paid the
boards Of supervisors what they them
selpes deemed sufficient for the estab-
| lishment Of roadways in the place
Of those which occupied lands Oh
which lsvee banquettes have since
been built, we cannot force them to
carry out their parts Of the contracts
without the aid and influene Of the
tax payers.
Magistrates who have refused to
try cases, have given as a reason, that
there is no roadway except on the
levee
Property holders who refuse to re-
move houses and fences from the
rights of way, after proper condemna-
tion, and even after being paid for
so doing, should consider the damage
they are doing to themselves as well
as to the whole distric5.
The intention Of this ocmmunica-
tion. is to place this matter fully be-
fore you and to ask your advice and
co-opertion. The board can do moth
ing without your support.
Very respectfully,
J. 7. AtterbuEy,
f1rnrs lo,nk