New-York tribune., 1908-09-28
TO HELP RAILROADS
Government viii Cooperate to
PreUent Flood Damages.
From The Tribune Bureau !

Washington. Sept. 27.-Dtrector George Otis
Smith Of the United States Geological Survey
has invited officers of the leading railways OF
the country confer a cooperative plan by
which II Is expected the railroads will be able 10
thousands OF dollars year. The plan also
conten plates effective assistance to the gov
ernment on the part Of railroads. The time ano
place OF the proposed conference are to be agreed
later.
The scheme which has already been approved
sy number Of the engineers o. the big lines IL
Of the gathering OF facts as TO the arnouH
OF water flowing in the rivers of the country
under certain conditions and in different PERIODS
Of the year Naturally the railroads have been
the chief sufferers from foods in the basins
where their tracks lie. They have suffered not
only from damage TO their OWL property but they
have been sued by other corporations and private
citizens on the ground that their bridges and
culverts were the causes of food damage The
railroad authorities have felt that many judg-
ments against the roads might not have oeen
rendered If they had been able to produce au-
thentic figures floods But they have not oeen
able TO do this. The National Conservation Com
mission has been advised OF the proposed plan
and whatever results come from it will undoubt-
edly be considered by the commission at its joint
meeting with Governors Of the states or their
representatives here next December.
The survey suggests that the railroad com
NAMES establish guases on their bridges and cul-
verts and appoint some Of their employees TO take
daily readings The survey agrees to nave It's
experts make frequent visits TO these s1auohS
and take actual current meter measurements so
that z rating table Of each channel Will be
available.
For many years the survey has been studying
the difference in the flow Of rivers in various
basins in the country At present II IS engaged
in putting the information gained by It's study
into shape for the use Of the National ConserVa-
rion Commission. together with other Information
which it is gathering especially for the inventory
OF the country's natural resources that the COM
mission is preparing.
The survey has been unable TO extend its ooser-
vations 10 many regions where the Information
would be Of vital Importance, because It lacks
funds The cooperation Of the railroads would per
nit the survey cover such regions. The expense
70 the railroads under this arrangement would be
triding. the survey authorities say, because tne
roads could designate men already on their pay
rolls such as draw tenders tank or water sta
ton engineers. take The daily readings on the
other hand, if the survey could be relieved OF the
cost Of daily supervision Of the gauges 1t would be
able to carry on the more technical parts Of the
undertaking.
The information which the railroads will obtain
IL this plan is put into operation is Of immense
value 10 them The surveys figures on floods have
always been accepted by the courts prinla facie
evidence # the belief of the railroad authorities
is well founded their cooperation with the survey
enabling il extend its operations TO their fields
will result IN big savings 10 them The idea OF
cooperation as to foods originated with the
gneering departments Of the railroads themselves.
Representatives OF these departments of a number
Of roads held a conference with representatives Of
the survey in Chicago last June and at that time
the survey agreed TO interview the proper railroad
authorities concerning a basis OF cooperation.
The survey has further suggested TO the railroads
that they supply il with all Information they may
have on hand concerning the character OF the vari
Gus drainage areas above their bridges. Some Of
the roads have collected at great expense large
amount OF valuable information which could be
made Of high value 70 all the railroads Il it were
gathered together and compiled This material
would also contribute largely to the general study
Of the water resources of the country, which the
survey has been carrying out for number Of years
and upon which it is particularly busy just in
the compilation OF al available information along
these lines for the OF the National Conservation
Commission.