The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1907-03-23

advanced by his predecessors were
very rational and very true, but that
the construction of locks at Donald
#sonville is gigantic undertaking and
must be approached carefully and with
due elaboration. He said the United
States government, with all its re-
sources, has been at work on the Piaq-
uemine locks, for nearly fifteen years,
and they are not yet opened. How
ever, it is the duty of private citizens
and public officials to obey the law, he
said, and as the levee boards are spe-
cifically commanded by law to build
the locks, it is their intention to I'M
dertake the work as soon as practical
BILE, and he hopes to see it brought to
an early and successful completion.
Hon. f. A. Tete, senior representa-
tive from Assumption parish in the
lower house of the Louisiana legisla-
ture, was called on for a speech and
launched into lengthy arraignment
of the state engineers and the levee
boards, accusing the former of incom-
potency and claiming that the latter
had not consulted the best interests of
their constituents and that they had
repeatedly failed to perform their duty
and fulfill their obligations.
Mr.. Sims rose to a point of order
and submitted that the speaker had ev-
identity mistaken the object of the meet
ing, maintaining that the levee boards
should not be subjected to criticism at
such time and place for their official
actions of former years, and suggest
ing that Mr.. Tete be instructed to con-
fine his remarks to the subject under
discussion.
Mr.. Marks, in his capacity as attor-
ney for the Atchafalaya board, replied
to Mr.. Tete and defied that gentleman
to bring his aecus ations against the
levee boards to the attention of any
grand jury in the state, insisting that
he could not Substantial them and
that the levee boards invited inyesti-
cation on the part of the public at any
and all times.
Y. NJ. Lefebvre, president of the At
chafaiaya boad, jumped TO his feet
and exclaimed that he took no cogni-
zance of Mr.. Tete's charges, owing to
the source from whence they emanated.
Things began to look bit squally,
but at this point Chairman Maurin
raped for order and stated that neither
the time nor place were propitious for
an arraignment of the leVee boards,
and tina he must insist upon Mr.. Tete
combining himself to a discussion of
the question at issue.
The gentleman from Assumption ac-
cepted this ruling in good grace and
brought, his address to a close with
out precipitating another upheaval.
MIR. Sims and Gov. Blanchard then
propounded number of questions to
Major Kerr concerning the probable
cost of the locks, the reasons for re-
iecting the first and only bid received,
the present status of the project, the
approxim ate time required to build
the locks under favorable conditions
and otherwise, whether experience has
demonstrate that locks constructed in
silt-bearing streams are capable of
successful operation, what bond guar
anteeing the faithful performance of
his contract the successful bidder will
be required to furnish, and other mat
tiers along the same line.
Major Kerr replied that the locks
would cost at least ST50,000, and per-
haps more; that the first bid was re-
iected for the reason that it was the only
one submitted, and, therefore, there
was not fair opportunity to judge of
what the locks would cost in the event
of competition for their constructions;
that revised specifications are pres
emily being prepared and will he for
warded to Washington for the APP
prevail of the secretary of war and
returned TO the 1evee boards in ample
time to permit prospective bidders to
examine them before the day set for
the opening of new bids-May 81, 1907;
that it will require not more than three
years to construct the locks under fa-
vorable conditions and with vigorous
work, but that in the event of mis-
hap or the prevalence of unfavorable
conditions it might take as long as
ten years; nat locks have been oper-
ated successfully in sediment airing
streams, and the only difficulty pre-
sented by this phase of the question in
the present instance would be the
mainten anee of the channel on the
river side of the locks, which would
necessitate frequent dredging; and tn at
the successful bidder will be required
to furnish a bond aggreg ating one
fourth of the amount of his bid.
In reply to a question from Mr..
Sims, Major Kerr said that constant
flow of water for the bayou could be
secured by providing culverts in the
masonry of the locks without weaken
ing them in any way, but that the cost
would probably be largely increased.
During the course of this interroga-
ton, Gov. Blanchard displayed re-
markable conception of the subject of
lock construction and maintenance,
his queries being timely and to the
point, and covering q wide range of
information. He captured the audi
ence by saying he did not consider
81 600, 000too great an amount to be
expended On an undertaking of this
character, and that he thinks the levee
boards should see to it that the locks
are built of the best material obtain
able and according to the most modern
and approved methods of construction.
At the suggestion of MIR. Sims res
olution authorizing the executive com
mittee of the joint organization of the
two levee boards to readvertise for
bids for the construction of locks at
the head of Bayou Lafourche under
revised plans and specifications pre-
pared by the state board of engineers,
was offered by Mr.. Lefebvre and unani-
mously adopted, first by the Lafourche
and Atchafalaya boards individually,
and then by the boards jointly.
This action was taken for the reason
that resolution to similar effect, un-
der the terms ofwhich the executivecom-
mittee is at present advertising for
bids for the construction of the locks,
was adopted at a joint meeting of the
levee boards held on Jan. 81, 1907,
while the two organizations were en-
route to Plaquemine on special train
over the Texas and Pacific Railroad,