The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-06-19
CALL CONFERENCE
ON Dixie PROJECT,
East Side Legislators and Mayors
to Discuss Methods of Relief
From Flood.
MASS MEETING IDEA GIVEN UP,
Expected That Committee Will Pc
titlon Governor to Call Special
Session to Take Action on
Levee District Plan.

Representative ". f. Trautman OF East
St Louis last evening issued invitations
to Representatives and State Senators who
are at present representing the flooded dis
trict OF the East Side In the State Legisla-
ture to meet in the East St Louis City
Hall Tuesday at IL a. M, to discuss the
methods of relief and take necessary steps
looking toward the construction of a levee
TO protect the entire East Side from the
overflow OF the Mississippi River.
At this meeting Mayor Cook of East ST.
Louis has invited the heads OF the munich
pal governments of the East Side towns az
fected by the flood. Committees will be
named. it is expected. and the Governor will
be petitioned to call an extra session OF the
Legislature TO pass n law forming the flood
ed territory into levee district.
The State Senators and Representatives
who have been invited are:
Senator's Sherman Hamilton. St. Clair:
Louis e. Walter. Madison, and Roy Alden.
Perry.
Representatives-W. L. Trautman. Martin
Schnipper and James o. Miller St Clair:
Cicero J. Lindley. Bond; William Montgom-
cry. Madison; Charles Carlton. Bond; Rob-
ert j. McElvain. Jackson; S. W. Mcclure,
Randolph: Charles s. Luke. Washington.
The Mayors invited are: Silas Cook. East
ST. Louis: Henry Brueggeman. Alton: Pat
rick Coyle. Madison; Doctor Scott. Venice;
the Acting Mayor of Granite City and c.
B. Jones. Brooklyn.
Up to yesterday the Idea was to hold a
mass meeting. This was thought to be i'm
practicable by Congressman Rodenberg and
other prominent citizens, who suggested
that the members Of the Legislature take
the initiative. inasmuch as that body must
pass what laws are required for the forma-
ton Of the levee district. Mr.. Trautman
conferred with Mayor Cook last evening,
and as a result the conference was decided
upon.
In discussing the proposed levee relief
measure. Congressman Rodenberg said:
RODENBERGS STATEMENT.
''1nasmuch as the question of building a
dixie or levee Is strictly one of State legis-
lation. as a special act Of the Legislature
will no doubt be necessary to enable us to
organize a levee district and to construct
a levee. it occurs to me that the initiative
In the matter Of organizing for this work
should be taken by the Senators and Rep
resentatives who are at present represent
ing the flooded district in the State Legis-
lature The senatorial districts in this
part Of the State have been seriously af-
fected by the recent floods.
Il would suggest that the three Senators
and nine Representatives from these dis
tricts. acting in conjunction with the May
ors OF the cities affected by the flood. meet
in conference. appoint all necessary commit
tees and take the required steps to insure
the early construction of the levee. In my
opinion 1t will not be necessary to hold a
mass meeting to arrange the preliminary
steps. as there is absolute unanimity of SEN
timent throughout the American Bottoms
in favor OF the early construction Of this
much needed levee"