The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-12-16
STA { DRAINAGE
MOVEMENT BEGUN
-
Reclamation Project Launched
at Enthusiastic Public
Meeting.
----------
WOULD DRAIN SWAMP LANDS
Officers Are Elected-Next
Meeting in Norfolk in
January.
WOULD DRAIN SWAMP LANDS

Organization of what Will be known
as the state Drainage Association, hav-
ing for Its ultimate purpose the re-
clamation of all the swamp and over
flowed lands in the State, was perfect
ed yesterday at meeting held
at the Capitol Tho attendance was
very satisfactory. an earnest spirit was
manifested, and the launching Of the
movement was attended by most aus
Ipicious circumstances.
Temporary Chairman Roosevelt Page
In his opening remarks, called the
proposition the greatest Virginia
movement in recent years Addresses
We're delivered by Mayor D. c. Rich
ardson, State Health Commissioner
Ennton g. Williams, DR.. D. w. star
buck, w. w Old, Jr., and C. G.. Elliott,
officers Chosen.
| officers We're elected as follows:
Roosevelt Page, of Hanover. president:
DR. u. w. Starbuck, of Henrico. first
| vice-president; W. W. Old Jr.. of Nor
folk, second-vice- president: c. A. Mil
Ter, of Richmond, secretary. and Joseph
Ives, of Norfolk, treasurer. Executive
committee. composed of member from
ing: j. W. Bellwood, Chesterfield. j.
Frank East, Norfolk City: j. a. Lesner.
Norfolk county; A. o. Baum, Princess
Anne: James G. Tinslcy, Henrico: i. b.
Dodsworth. Hanover, Judge Borland
Green, Charlotte; L. NJ. Nance Charles
| City William r. Rudd, Powhatan. G..
H. Belknap. New Kent; NJ. b. Bollinger,
Amelia: W. II. Weiss Cireenesville.
Messrs. Old, Richardson and Weiss
!
| ganization, the Norfolk man being
elected from the floor. Mr.. Weiss was
present as delegate from a drainage
meeting held at Emporia on Wednes-
day night
Ask National Aid.
| On motion of Mr.. Ives the represen.
tattves in Congress from Virginia We're
requested to ask Federal aid in the
| work OF reclamation 1t is hoped to
secure this to the extent of the neces-
| sary surveys and expert information
committee was appointed to take
| this up with the delegation.
| Messrs. Old. Ives and East We're nam
ed committee on bylaws.
1t was decided to hold the next meet
ing in Norfolk on some day In Janu-
airy.
Charles A. Miller, of the Virginia De-
partment OF Agriculture, called the
meeting to order, and conducted the
election for temporary chairman. Mr.
Page spoke of the reclamation of nov
waste land not only from an economi-
cal standpoint but from that of health
This sentiment was echoed and ampli-
fed by Commissioner Williams. Mayor
Richardson added his hearty approval
of the movement DR. Starbuck the
prime mover in the gathering, told of
his personal experiences in the west.
and his surprise that such a large
acreage of valuable land in the Chick
ahominy section was allowed to re-
main worthless.
The Drainage Law.
Mr.. Old, who had offered bill in
the Legislature of 1908 similar TO that
of Senator Lesner at tho last session,
explained the workings of the measure
which is now on the statute books. He
emphasized the fact that in all re-
spects the rights Of the property hold
ers are safeguarded FIe gave some
of the history of drainage, beginning
with Holland Mr. old told of tract
Of land in Missouri of 10000 acres
which sold for $685. because it was in
undated Now. as a result of drainage,
it is worth 100000 The Norfolk
man is exceedingly enthusiastic over
the project and gave considerable inn
petus to the meeting.
Naturally, the principal address OF
the occasion was that of c. G. Elliott,
chief of drainage investigations
for the United States Department of
Agriculture. He came to Richmond for
the purpose OF speaking on this sub
ject He read a carefully prepared
paper, In which he told Of the possibli-
ties of Virginia II her lands arc made
productive. at the conclusion of his
address he was given vote OF thanks.
Reclamation Epoch.
Mr.. Elliott said in part: There are
epochs in agriculture as well as In
politics. science and discovery One OF
them is upon US now, and calls for the
reclamation of wet lands which may
be made suitable for agriculture. These
lands are found particularly in the
plains section of the State. which are
| useless for any purpose, the larger
part of which may be drained and
| made productive.
The loss upon many farms result
ing from portions of fields which are
undrained is hardly appreciated by the
owners. The corn or wheat field of
ten acres may contain only eight acres
| of productive land. The two acres
which arc wet receive the same labor
and seed as the balance, but give lit
| tie or no return, a good crop upon this
portion would be clear profit Why
not drain 1t and make the entire field
| uniformally productive?
Must Cooperate.
THE drainage of swamp lands con-
| sists of two parts, one of which may
be regarded as public and the other
| private. IT a farmer can drain his own
land through natural outlets which
| exist on his own farm, he is indcpen-
dent of his ncighbors in this respect;
but ii he cannot do this he must join
with them and bear his part of the
cost of constructing such bitches as
Will give each an outlet, Such outlets
| thus became common value and par
| take of tho nature Of public improve
ments, which are paid for not by a
| general tax, but by special assessments
upon the property
THE aims and purposes of the law
| should not be misunderstood The I'M
| auguration of any general drainage
work is optional with the owners OF
/ the land to be benefited, 1t must
originate in petition properly signed
| and presented to the clerk of the court
| The district can be- established pnly