The leader. [volume] (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1895-1905, 1903-11-07

Under these circumstances the imy
portance Of the earliest practicable
completion of the work Is apparent.
II the food damages of 1903 may be
approximately estimated at five mil
lions of dollars, the previous expendi-
ture of that sum in permanent work
would have largely, IL not entirely,
prevented them. Every years delay
in completion incurs the risk Of SINH
lar loss When the system shall have
been completed, the cost will have
been increased by many millions of
dollars, and the development of the
valley delayed by many years Of anx-
iety and disaster, which could have
been saved by continuous work on
scale commensurate with the impor-
lance and magnitude of the improve
alize this. Most Of them have antici-
pated their revenues as far as prac-
ticable, and several have now under
consideration plans for such increase
Of resources applicable to the work
as will shorten the time Of compile
ton. The commission is so impressed
with this view of the subject that It
considers 1t for the best interest Of
the work to now make contracts for
levee construction to the extent OF
two million dollars as provided for in
the River and Harbor Act Of June 30,
1902, from the amounts to be appro-
priated for the fiscal years ending
June 80, 1905, and June 80, 1906. Fur
thermore, it suggests that II congress
should think proper to make add.
tional provision for levee construction
during the fiscal years ending June
80, 1905, and June 30, 1906, the sum
of two million dollars in addition to
the amounts already provided can be
judiciously and advantageously ex-
pended during each year."
Fifth-In addition to the protection
of the lands of the Mississippi valley
from the floods, it Is a matter OF SUI
preme Importance that the mind Of
the nation should be kept constantly
advised of the
Commercial Importance Of the Mis-
sissiPpi
river as a highway of commerce. The
marvellous growth of railroad building
within the last quarter of century
has so diverted the attention of the
public from the Mississippi river as a
means of transportation that it has
been to some extent lost sight Of 1t
has remained, however, constant
safeguard against undue rates of trans
portation and promises, in the near
future, to become once more as active
factor in interstate commerce as 1t
ever has been in the past. This is
owing, first, to the almost unparalleled
increase in industrial activity through
out the valley; and, second, to the
demonstration that, by means OF n.y.
draulic dredges a sufficient channel
for low water navigation can be Sc
cured and maintained. We earnestly
express the hope that the work of the
Mississippi River Commission in this
direction be pressed as rapidly as can
be properly done, with view to open
ing up the great river once more SO
that the people may fully enjoy the
extraordinary facilities which it is
capable of supplying for the cheap
and steady exchange of their commod-
tiles. Levee construction, is undoubt-
eddy, essential, even if all thought Of
retaining the fertile lands of the val
ley should be abandoned, for, without
levees, all river commerce during Pc
RODS of overflow would necessarily
cease.
Sixth-The work of levee construc-
ton has been carried on by the CO.
operation of the United States gov
eminent through the agency of the
Mississippi River Commission, with
the levee organizations of the several
riparian States OF the amount ex-
pended in this work, the government
has contributed, in round numbers,
about one-third. The people have
subjected themselves to heavy taxa
ton in furnishing their contributions
until they have already overburdened
their resources in this regard. 1t is
the opinion of the residents of the
great valley that the difficulties and
magnitude of the work and the vast
benefits to result from it, are such
that, in common justice, the burden
should be placed upon the strong
shoulders of the Federal government,
and that the work should be urged
to speedy completion. By suitable an
nual appropriations, this can soon be
accomplished, thus securing not only
safety, but great economy. There
fore:
Resolved, That, in the judgment Of
this convention, the protection of the
Mississippi valley form floods is OF
such national Importance as not only
to justify, but 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 exercise of sole juris-
diction at this time by the general
government, should not be deemed
advisable, then this convention urges
most earnestly that congress make,
at it's approaching session, such APP
preparations as are recommended by
the Mississippi River Commission in
its recent report.
Resolved, further, That the system
of river improvements in the valley Of
the Mississippi from it's head waters
to the gulf and in the valley of the
Ohio, and other tributaries, now pro-
yided for, and those which may here
after be provided for by congress un-
der the supervision of the United
States engineers, meets our hearty
commentator, and should be prose-
cuted to completion without unneces-
sary delay.
Resolved, That the attention of con-
gress is invited to the serious disas-
tiers which have befallen those resid-
ing at or near st. Louis, Kansas City,
and other localities by reason of the
recent great floods, and the secretary
of war is respectfully requested to
cause an inquiry to be made with a
view to the preparation of suitable
DIans for the prevention of a recllr-
renee 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 unqualified approval to the move
ment for the construction of a water
way connecting the great lakes at the
north with the Mississippi river and
the Gulf of Mexico at the south.
We. recognize the expenditure Of
thirty-five million dollars by the
Sanitary District of Chicago as prac-
teal demonstration in the fIlrfhnranca