Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1910-08-05
DISTINCT PROGRESS
 IN HARBOR BILLS
Character of River and Harhor An. prOpriation Measures is Improving
 Says Chief of Engineers.


 progress
 That was the positive statement made today by the new chief of en- gineers of the Army, General William H. Bixby. It is an expression of the Judgment of one of the most accom- plished officers who ever held the re-
 sponsible post of chief of engineers.
 Gen. BiXby, who succeeded Gen. been in the engineer corps 37 years and was promoted from senior col onel. Sometimes it aeeurs that pe- culiar merit and ability warrant the promotion of officers other than the senior in rank, but these attributes were not only not lacking in the case of Gen. BiXby but were happily evil dent in so high degree that his ad- yancement to the head of the corps is a happy circumstance. His ability as an engineer has been notably re- cognized. His numerous assignments during his long service have enabled him to secure broad grasp of the biggest engineering task. A native of Massachusetts, he graduated at the head of his class at the U. s. Military Academy. He has taught at West Point, has received special instruc- tion with the French engineer depart ment in Paris and has had other for eign duty. He has served in many engineer districts covering every inn portant scope of work in the United States and has gone over and up and down more rivers than any other off, cer in the service He became presi- dent of the Mississippi River Commis- sion March 14, 1908 and also president Of the Board of Engineers of the Mis- sissippi River Commission appointed to make a survey of the Mississippi river from St. Louis to the mouth 10 ascertain the feasibility of the 1i-foot channel and it's extension from St. Louis to Chicago Last year he was special advisory engineer of the Nat ional Waterways Commission and ac- companied that body on it's investi- gating tour of Europe
 The execution of the law as con- 1ained in the last river and harbor bill is now under way, but as General Bixby says the delay in the passage of the bill by congress has necessarily put the engineer corps behind in the work
 Have you an adequate force of | officers?" he was asked Well. we are doing the work was the reply; but it is a case of too much duty to the average man. We need more off 1 cers.''
 Referring to the assignment of en- gineer officers to the reclamation ser vice. Gen. BiXhy said it was but tenn porary duty as the officers would be | acting only in the capacity of consult { ing engineers, an assignment which 1 should be completed ill from three to six months after which, they would 1 resume their present regular post.
 Gen. BiXby has clear and interest ing views on the subject of reclama- ton, irrigation and drainage. as well as the utilization of water pow CT, all of which present problems in engineering science. but he does not think it is the province of the ensi- neer corps to butt in as it is not good policy for any of these inter- ests to interfere with the other. The engineer corps will take care of it's assignment and make the best DOS slble reports on the feasibility, prac- Jicability and economy of the several enterprises.
 In his opinion reclamation will not aid navigation as it will take away water needed for navigable streams. nor will drainage materially affect navigation. The utilization of water power is adverse to navigation Yet all these problems had their two sides of merit. How to save and maintain navigation and at the same time respond to these demands along the line of commercial progress is in his Judgment we'll worth serious con- sideration. 'The Corps of Engineers said Gen. BiXby, "in attending to their own business would be glad to sec congress openly and above-board, if it sees fit to recognize these lines of endeavor make lair and adequate provision for them. As to the oues- ton of water power. there is no doubt Of its great value, but what the us- CTS used they should restore to nav | lgation in water sufficient to float the boats.' ( Gen. BiXby reiterated his conviction , of the progressive spirit in congress of late years in handling river and harhor appropriations, and particul- arly praised the work of education being carried on by the national riv- -vc l,o al,