The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-01-15

River and Harbors Committee. possess ing. as you do. the superior knowledge of the situation In regard to the Ala bama River.
 As stated, when before your commit tee. assuming this knowledge on your part to be fact. I cannot understand how you can, with the facts so thor oughly placed before you. in connection with Captain Cavanaugh's report, who Is the only man who has made per- sonal investigation of this matter, and who has made statements. not from a theoretical standpoint. nor by assum- ing anything, but by actual knowledge from thorough investigation, I say, cannot understand how you can hesi- tate to recommend a sufficient appro pfiation to place the Alabama River In permanently navigabie condition.
 If the report Captain cavanaugh makes Is correct, and assume or course that it is. then cannot see how your committee can be Justified In pro- viding simply for the continuation of snagging operations on the Alabama River, and do nothing towards remov- ing sandbars. the greatest impeachment to transportation that we now have to contend with. M
 The small appropriations for the past twenty-five years Is what has put the Alabama River in its present condition. This being true, can you hope for any improvement in the present condition without change in your policy by giv- ing us sufficient appropriation to make the improvements permanent?
 You will see, by referring to Captain cavanaugh's report of the condition of the Alabama .River. that he recom- mends that the Alabama River shall be provided with a dipper dredge and a suitable hydraulic dredge in order to remove these sandbars, so we may have transportation the year round.
 When, on account of your investiga- ton, you abandoned the project of opening up the Cocsa River, the people of my section, while regretting that 1t became necessary for the Government to do so, could not but approve of your action when it was stated by the en- gineer in charge that the idea was to so improve the A.abama River as to make 1t navigable the year round, to \ depth of six feet.
 Pursuing ee same policy that in- duced you to abandon. at least for q time. the improvement of the Coosa project on the Alabama River. because of the fact that we have already de- veloped more than s13.000,000 of traf- fic, and this season will exceed 10000 tons: Thus. with a traffic and revenue already established. we need only the protection which the people can req sonably expect on the part of the Gov ernment.
 Now, if you cannot give us the s5oo.- 900. as asked for. then give us some thing reasonable. and something which the Government can invest and protect, and something that will be in the way of nerUfanenf iunnrnvemnnt
 My information Is that you propose to give us only $25,000.
 This will barely provide for looking after the snags in the river. and 1t makes 1t utterly impossible to carry on any dredging work at all, which is so essential to secure transportation the year round.
 If you could but realize the enormous amount of money that the farmers and others along the Alabama River have lost this season on account of delay in moving their products. feel very sure that your sense of right and justice would suggest to you to give us some thing substantial in the way of an ap- propriation, and thus bring about relief to the people who are so distressed about the present situation.
 Referring to that part of your letter. in which you complain of the large ap-
 
 the Black Warrior, Warrior and Tom bigbee Rivers, and the port of Mobile, understand that concessions from the desired appropriations for these pro- jects have been made by Representa- lives, amounting to about $500,O00, with the hope of aiding the Alabama River project.
 These Representatives realize the true condition of the Alabama River,
 NN,.kz that we should have a liberal appfo- priation in order to relieve the great distress to the farmers, merchants. saw-milI men, and every class along the river.
 Referring further to your complaint about the matter of appropriations chargeable to Alabama, I would like to ask if you do not consider the fact that the State of Alabama has a greater mileage of available rivers than al- most any other State receiving appro- priations from your committee, that taking this fact into consideration, on a percentage basis. the appropriations for Alabama are not excessive.
 You must bear in mind that the Gov ernment owns and controls these riv- CTS, and are the only parties justified In making the improvement. Then, is 1t not the duty of the Government, af- ter a thorough investigation of the facts, to give such attention to these rivers as will give the people at least a reasonable service, and much more so when 1t has been demonstrated be- yond doubt, what an enormous benefit it will be to a very large number of people, and be such a source ., of economy.
 We shall yet hope that you will give the matter some attention, and will se- cure for us the relief we so much need.
 Yours truly,
 (Signed) w. F. Vandiver,
 Chairman.