The Forrest City times., 1904-11-18
TO IMPROVE ARKANSAS RIvERs.
Estimates Have been Made by Gen. Mckenzie, Chief of Engineers.

been made public al Washington. The report states that 1t was found that there was on July 1. 1901. 2 12lapre of S69, ,411.50 available for the improve ment of the Arkansas river in Arkan- sas. It Is estimated that this balance, together with 80 .000. can be profitably expended on this river in the fiscal year ending June 30 1906. The entire project for the improvement of this river is the following: The improve ment of the river from It's mouth to the head of navigation by snaggiug op- erations. by dredging operations and by contraction works, holding the inn proved channel by revetment where necessary. The total expenditure on the Arkansas river to last June was $2.309, 15290.
 The report says that aside from the protection to the town front of Pine Bluff and the preservation of channel through the drawspans of the railway bridges at Fort Smith, Van Buren and Little Rock, the operations for the per manent improvement of the stream have been of no material benefit to navigation. Smuggling operations give immediate relief. but the benefit is temporary.
 The expenditures this fiscal year were for the operation and mainte- nance of snag boats and for the com pletion of the repair of the Redfork revetment, the last mentioned work not having been completed the last fiscal year on account of high stage of river. The snagging operations were of much benefit to navigation below Pine Bluff. and especially so between Redfork and the mouth of the river, but, owing to the nature of the banks of the stream and to the high waters of this fiscal year, the channel is again badly obstructed by snags and drift.
 The commerce of the Arkansas river for the fiscal year amounted to 92,041 tons, valued at $2,07S,S93 The ton mage isc greater than that of any year of the nine preceding 1904, but the value is smaller than in any of those years.
 White River.
 There is now a balance of $9,645.21 available for the White river in Ar kansas, and 1t is estimated that this balance, together with $15 1000, can be prohtably expended in the river for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1906. The balance is to be expended in op- erating and maintaining snag boats. The additional fund estimated is for snagging operations, which are needed for maintenance of the channel
 Cacne River.
 There is an available balance of $10 for the Cache river (Arkansas), and 1t is estimated that this balance and $2.000 can be profitably expended in the fiscal year ending June 30, 1906. The commerce on the river for the year ending May 3l, 1904. amounted to s49, ,601.
 Black River.
 For the Black river (Arkansas and Missouri). 1t Is estimated that the available balance, $9 9,S8027 and $15. 900 can be profitably expended in the fis- cal year ending June 20, 1906. The
 
 for snagging operations in procuring new hull for the hand-propelled snag- boat Riverside and in caring for the plant. The new estimate of S15, 900 Is for snagging operations which are required for the maintenance of the channel.
 Current River.
 | - CT (Arkansas and MissourD. it is es- timated that an available balance of 8 30793f and S6,750 will be needed to June 90. 1906 The commerce to May 31, 1904, amounted to sI39, l99 on this river
 St. Francis River.
 The project for the St. Francis river is to remove logs, drifts and snags from the channel and overhanging timber from the banks from the mouth of Kennett, Mo, and to close the chutes and sloughs in the Sunk Lands. SD as to make the river nayi- gable al high stages to Kennett. Mo. at medium stages to Marked Tree, and at low stages to point 30 miles be- low Madison, Ark, the estimated cost being & 000 annually
 L'Anguille River.
 II Is estimated that a balance of sf 482 G. and new estimate of s9,000 will be advisable for the LAnguille river during the fiscal year ending June 90. 1906 This fund will be used to keep the channel open by snagging operations.
 Upper White River.
 For the Upper White river (ArBan- sas) no further appropriations are rec commended beyond those needed to complete and care for the locks and dams already practically finished. It is estimated that the amount re- quired for the completion of the ex isting project will he sf020, 900. The project is to provide slack water navi- gation from Batesyille to Buffalo Shoals 89 miles. by ten fixed daIns with concrete locks The commerca