Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1910-09-04
PORK BARREL STORY
WILL DIE SAYS
BANkHEAD

Morning journal Bureau,
6l3 Munsey Building
washington, d. G. sept. |,

hl0 MNiioFA ifHllNAiAEf #
Washington. ID. c.. sept. /.
1T MAY safely he said that con
gress and the executive department
o. the government, which means in
this ease the president aud the engi-
neer corps of the army, are now well
entered upon a sound, progressive
and comprehensive policy of water
way Improvement as urged by the
national rivers and harhors congress
which, with the proper cooperation
upon the part OF the business inter-
ests Of the country most nearly con-
cerned. should assure the establish
ment of a practical system, whose
merits would be universally recog-
nized. putting an end to the recurring
criticisms about the pork barrel, and
all that
Thus observed Senator John H.
Bankhead. now in Washington on his
way east. Nh. Bankhead's interest
and information in the science OF
river and harbor work are almost as
lalg e and varied as those of senator
Burton. of Ohio, with whom he
served for many years on the rivers
and harbors committee in the house
while the latter Was chairman.
IL have seen General BiXhy's warn
ing against eX|travagant local de-
mands for special projects added.
Mr.. Bankhead, demands not ap-
proved By engineer officers and also
his well-timed suggestion that the
press of the country has an excellent
opportunity to aid materially In the
secure establishment and mainten-
ance of the new policy of ample, but.
reasonable Appropriations every year
for our Waterways. Ills IDEAS On this
point are all important, and we
ought to give them careful consider
alton"
Mr.. %Bankhead, Who was one OF the
original members of he National
Waterways Commission, calls atten-
ton to . statement Cf. that body in
It's preliminary report last January, in.
which General Bixby. then advisory
engineer for the army TO the commits
sion participated. as indicating how
waste. of time and money unon ill.,
considered projects, may he avoided
The report pointed out that under
existing statute II IS required that
when the improvement Of a river or
a harbor is ADVOCATED, before any
plan is adopted, there should be leg
islation by congress in the form OF a
concurrent resolution or other meas
urc which shall direct that an investi-
CATION Of the proposed improvement
be made. "Thie investigation, says
the report. 'contemplates two sue
cessive steps-first q preliminary eX-
animation; second. a detailed survey
of which are made by the en-
gineer corps Of the United States army
and are reviewed by an organization
as the Board # Review ere
I'D -. III. rftr,v at,I har hgs Daf af
1902, with the object of securing uni
in recommendations before
projects are adopted. and with the
thought OF bringing to bear upon the
proposed improvements under investi-
y more elaborate and careful
consideration. If on the first or pre-
liminary examination the report is
u~nfavorable, no further action is
without the order Of congress.
The law on this subject is con
in the river and harbOr act Of
900. Under it 1T the final report Is
BILE. II is deemed g basis exists
to make appropriations Tor the pro-
posed Improvements. The report OF
January observes that the recon-
m%endations Of the engineer Officers
are not necessarily final. though,
since the passage OF the law. the rlle
nos DftNl fNAAN'AiN NE 49, 90 ~ HL'Ff'H
no projects should be under
aiken bv the government or appro-
for which does not have the
recommendations 0i the Board of
Review" and the chief of engineers.
the time Cf the creation of this
)card in 1902. projects to the enor-
nous amount Of $500 GOO, 900 or more. |
recommended as worthy of improve
nent. either had not been commenced
lr were in a partly finished condt-
ion. and necessarily the work OF
congress was one Of selection under
only the most pressing projects
we're assured attention.
The experience of congressman
on the committee In charge
river and harhor bills Is that an
.stonishing number Of people whose
u IS 10 he informed On the
appear to be ignorant of the
.Nistehcr Of that important body, the
Board of Review. and the essential
APPRECIATION of the chiefs 90 engi-
GERS. as provided by the law of 1902.
The office of the chief af engineers
$ now continually in receipt of re-
,orts and plans FOR Improvements
for In this years river and
appropriation bill. The late
late 81 which the bin Received the
NIfDkN OF p NLfslufhA iFtHlhFN AAf
ngineer work for more than two
months. aud much 81 the season Was
.~cccssgrily lost. hut the work is now
.enerally well under way. and by the
ime congress comes to consider the
ext annual bill sn intelligent idea
win he afforded 90 what kiad OF DID
5 needed 90 mantaln the Motley cd
nnual waterway appropriations.
Vow. as has been the case iu the
asst. the engineer office Is ia re-
eipt Of communications from locali-
les where engineer officers are sta
toned asking that these Officers be
.ot transferred. nfaising their work
nd often representing D q their CON
Inuance In the particular field Is cs-
entail To- the success OF the particular
These opportunities often
ONE from places where the officers
ave been stationed 10 the limit Of
for much asdgnments The pco-
le making these overtures appear %
e. unaware that they repeat this
ind O.. performance with nearly
very officer assigned 70 them. and