The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1908-09-04
CAUSE OF FLOODS.
WORK FOR APPALACHIAN PARK
BILL RECALLED.
Present Flood Might Have Been Pre-
vented Had the Bill Been Passed
When it Was First introduced.
vented Had t

The News and Courier says the loss
of many human lives and the destruc-
ton of thousands Of dollars worth
Of property throughout the Southern
States because of the floous now pre-
vailiIg would probably not be wit
messed to-day had Congress passed
the White Mountain and Appalachian
forest reserve bill a few years ago,
for which so hard fight has been
waged. On the other hand such condi-
'tions as are now being seen will neces-
sarily continue until the lawmakers OF
the land realize that only with the
passage of such bill and the conse-
quent holding of the waters to flow
off into their outlets in a natural way
will such terrible floods stop.
The fight that was made at the
last session OF Congress and at the
two or three sessions before by ad-
vocates of the White Mountain and
Appalachian Park reserve bill is well
remembered Led by Representatives
Currier, OF Vermont, and Lever, OF
South Carolina. everything possible
was done to have such bill enacted
into law, but even with the great
fight that was made for its success
could not be had. Just as it seemed
that success was In sight Representa-
tive Bartlett, of Georgia, adroitiy took
the matter out Of the hands OF the
House committee on agriculture by
a resolution placing it with the COM
mittee on the judiciary, giving the
latter committee full power and au-
thorlty to go into the question OF the
bill constitutionality 1t was at hrst
believed that Mr.. Bartlett was favor
able 70 the measure and really de-
sired to test the constitutional ques-
tions 50 that such matter could not
he raised on the floor OF the House
when it came to a vote, but 1t was
subsequently discovered that his pur-
nose was to effectually delay action
ror the session. The judiciary COM
mittee took up the Currier bills ana
after considering them for some time
nassed a resolution to the erect tna'
if the purpose of the bills were 10
further navigation then it would DE
constitutional, otherwise not. That
was a step in the passage or the
measure. but so complicated was the
situation towards the closing days OF
the session that nothing could he done
towards securing its passage theh.
The trouble about these DIS now
ever. which has been OF more conse-
onence than the action Of Mr.. harl-
lett. is the fact that Speaker cannon
even in the face of the strogeSt ap-
meals, has absolutely refused to per-
NIT then. 10 come to Il vote. DOZENS
of delegates from both the New Eng
land and Southern States called on
him publicly and privately during the
last session OF Congress and pleadeu
with him to yield in his position ana
allow the matter to come to a vote
to let the Representatives of the peo-
pie express their views on the 1loor OF
the House by their votes, but nothing
could change him. Not even his pest
friends in Congress could lave the
least possible influence upon him. TIC
not only told those Representatives
who begged him to let the mattel
come to vote, but the various dele
cations also, that as long as ne was
Sneaker he would recognize no ono
for that purpose. That was the sltua'
ton at the close OF the last session OF
Congress. Representatives. Lever ano
Currier were pledged to their people
to secure the passage OF the Dill al
all hazards. and the failure to- secure
Favorable action cannot be placed tc
their account.
The lives that are being lost every
wear in the South by reason OF the
floods that sweep through the noun
/ tain country into the streams OF the
lowlands are Southern lives. but IN,
millions of dollars Of property that &C
to destruction represent the interests
| of people in every part Of the United
States. 1t is not only Southern money
| that goes into the South's cotton mills
bleacheries and other manufacturing
industries, but Northern money and
! EASTERN money is invested there
! also.
II is not known Just what line OF
procedure the two congressman most
" interested in this measure vii
tadopt at the coming session OF Con
gress to effect its passage. if possible
| hut it is reasonable, to assume tha'
they will not only continue thell
work of former years in the Interest
of the White Mountain and Appalach'
| ian Park country, but that they VII
redouble their efforts along this llns
and bring all the pressure to bear or
Sneaker Cannon to have him yield hi'
position and allow the matter at leas
TO come squarely and fairly before
! Congress for a vote.