The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-06-25
KANSAS CONTENT
cURrIs.s PLAN TO IMPROVE KAw

CURTIS'S PLAN TO IMPROVE KAw
While Senator Long was defending
his record before the people of Kan
sas at Emporia, Senator Curtis was
calmly figuring out a scheme at Tope-
ka for the protection Of the property
OF his constituents against those dis
aStrous flood rampages that have been
making fun with the banks of the Kaw
Tor the last i've or six years. He has
plan that differs from the plan of the
people of Topeka-one that Is wider
In its scope and by far more practi-
cable from two or three standpoints.
They are in favor of a system of dykes
along the river while he is in favor
of impounding the water at or near it's
source. He does not believe that the
government would spend any money
in the construction of dykes along a
stream that is non-navigable in fact,
although II is held to be navigable in
law. He holds that as there is no
commerce on the stream, an effort to
argue that the government ought to
dyke it would be futile. On the other
hand, he holds that the government is
now very much inclined to the i'm
pounding of waters, which policy has
the double advantage of promoting ir-
rigation as well as of stopping floods.
In order to be successful in carrying
through congress any scheme of pro-
lection from Kaw river floods, Senator
Curtis would have to have the hearty
cooperation of the Kansas delegation
In congress. His own plan best assures
this cooperation. 1t would naturally
First, Second, Fifth and Sixth districts
through direct interest, and the other
congressman through indirect in
f1uence. The kaw is the formation of
five other rivers in the state, the
Smoky. the Saline, the Solomon, the
Republican and the Blue. On these
rivers according to Senator Curtis
plan. would be built the impounding
reservoirs, and hence the necessary in
terest of the people in several counties
practically all the counties in north
ern Kansas-in them. And with the
would be interested. Thus from a
standpoint of wider influence and in
terest the plan proposed by Senator
Curtis is better than the plan propos-
ed by the people of Topeka, which
would limit the interest to Shawnee,
Douglas. Wyandotte and a few other
counties.
After the disastrous flood of 1898
| there was state law passed authoriz-
ing Improvements to be made by local
districts against the floods of the Kaw
but it soon became apparent that the
Kaw could not be controlled by local
effort, and that IL it were to be con-
| trolled at all the government alone
had power to do it.
Senator Curtis is the very best man
to lead the movement in congress. His
| knowledge of the conditions that
cause the floods is very complete and
his desire to see them controlled must
| be very earnest. He is hard, intel
| ligent worker in such things and his
influence with the departments that
would have to do with the improve
ments suggested in his plan is always
potent. He has also the capacity to
| bring into his efforts the cooperation
of others and he never ceases until he
accomplishes his purpose. The entire
state will be with him in any effort
he may make to solve the problem al
hand. for the interest Of the Kaw val
| ley is the interest Of every man in
Kansas who contributes to the support
| Of state government.-Wichit Eagle