New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1905-01-28
''An appropriation of $4,000

is proposed FOR the purpose OF de-
frayiug the expenses of the ea-
gineers.
II believe the proposed inves
LEGATION is a wise one, for, though,
| can not admit that the time is
ripe for the early prosecution of
such project, or that it is either
urgent or necessary at this time,
its ultimate consummation is great
ly TO be desired, and, as all such
progressive movements are usually
attended with many unforeseen
delays and distractions, from one
source or another, it is probably
we'll to take time Ev the foteloek
aud ngitatp it seriously somewhat
in advance Of its advisahility, IN
order Is have il thoroughly under
stood aud appreciated by the time
other conditions will warrant and
command its support II must
mol be understood. however, by
these remarks that il il n new pro,
| ject by any means, II has been
discussed, pro and con, iunumcr-
able times by any number Of an
thorltles for many years.
t In the opinion Of most engin-
GERS familiar with the subject, the
principle involved in The divorce
ment of The streams named is log
zeal and correct, and its accomplish
ment would, under certain enndi
tons. b. productive Of the most
beneficial results The time for
its accomplishment has. however,
hardly yet arrived, though we may
be nearing if.
+" The high water conditions IN
the Lower Red river and the Ateh-
afalayt river are very materially
influenced hv high water conditions
i'll the Mississippi river, aud by
none 50 seriously as those govern
ed by the integrity of the line Of
public levees in Arkansas and
lionisiann, protecting the Tensas
Basin, Fifth Louisiana, Red River.
Atchafalya aud Bayon Boeuf, and
Red River and Bayou des Glaiaee
levee districts, and that part of
the Atehnfalya Basin levee district
particularly affected by high water
al The month Of red river and from
the Atchafalaya river
"The overflow from erevnsses in
any part Of this line of levees
reaches, to greater or less extent,
depending upon location aud local
conditions in all Of these districts
its volume ultimately congcsting
and dividing near the month of
Red river, in proportions also de-
pending upon local conditions, aud
finding its way to The Gulf partly
by why Of the Atchafalaya river
and partly by way of the Missis.
sippi river
|" The divorcement Of the Mis-
sissippl river from the Red and
Atehafalaya rivers would impose
upon lie Atehafalya alone this
burden, in the event Of a disaster
in the line Of levee described II
is a very grave question whether
the Atelafalya river alone wanld
at all times be equal to the task of
safely carrying any such volume Of
water IN addition 10 its servilnde.
to Red river
q Il is, therefore, also very unes-
whether this enforcement
would be wise as q measure, or inst
as M accomplishment, until the
long line of levee protecting North
and West Louisiana above the
mouth Of Red river were rendered
md uuquestionabIy recognized to
be, practically impossible-that is,
the line OF levee from Costillo's
iin, on Cypress Creek, ARK, down
% the Mississippi river, and thence
Town the Mississippi river to Red
River Landing, or the point of di.
in Louisiana. some fif- J
cen miles, at the lowest end of 8
which is still unlevied, not TO speak
If the additional height aud section :
hat might at first become necessary
d the levees below.
With n continuance of the ad-
in the extent and char
lcter of the levee work in the val !
ey which has marked recent years, =
bis stage of efficiency is not neces.
arlly very far away in the future,
Inlese the material MD rendered
he eause since 1882 by the nation.
! government shonld signally fail,
i which there should, in all Justice
o he valley, be little to fear. =
- - -