The Brunswick news. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 1906-2016, 1911-02-23
ToMoRRoW's DRAINAGE MEET
ING

The drainage congress, which is
to be neld in BrGnswica tomorrow l.
attracting great attention in all sec
tons of the south, and il is expected
TO re one of the most successful
gatherings of the kind ever held.
Among the list of speakers on the
program are men familiar with TINS
very important subject, and their ed-
dresses will do much towards further
Ing the farming interests of this sec
ton.
Elsewhere in The News this morn
ing appears an article from s. w. Nc
Callie, state geologist, on the subject
Of the meeting to be held tomorrow,
and those of our citizens who are not
familiar with the subject can gather
much information from this article.
Tue state geologist is an enthusiastic
supporter of the movement for drain
age In Georgia and he will use his
influence to have a Georgia drainage
bill passed at the coming session of
the legislature. The passage of such
Till is the object of the organiza-
ton known as the Georgia Drainage
row. In his article in The News this
morning the geologist gives some
very valuable information on the
drainage question and it will prove OF
interest to all those who are inter-
ested in the subject. Mr.. McCahie
will also attend the meeting tor'or-
raw and will deliver an address.
Discussing this very question of
drainage the Savannah News of yes
terday contained the following edito-
rial:
Even If the government cannot
drain the privately owned swamp land
of the states it can give such encour-
agement to the work of draining them
that they will be ready for occupation
by the time that the movement of i'm.
migrants into the south assumes such
proportions that the need of them
will be felt. The house has voted $780,
900 for drainage work. This money
will it is assumed be used in making
surveys and estimates of the cost of
draining the swamps.
In this state there are vast tracts
of land as rich as any in the world
that if drained would command good
prices and would be great attraction
to immigrants. These lands are not
counties in which they are situated
in the. way of taxes, but if they were
under cultivation they would yield
large revenue to the state and the
counties. If therefore the federal
government surveys them and makes
an estimate of the cost of draining
them, it is almost certain that there
will be legislation by the state look
ing to their drainage.
There has already been one drain
age congress in this state. tlat at
| Waycross, and there is soon to be an
other at Brunswick, they can create a
public sentiment that will insist upon
legislation that will be of a practical
nature-that will open the way for
draining the swamp lands. In Louisi.
ana and North Carolina there has
been legislation that has been instru-
mental in changing great areas OF
swamp lands into cultivated fields.
The coast counties of this state
are deeply interested in the drainage
question. In about all of them there
is great deal of land that is prac-
tically valueless because of swampy
condition, but it can be drained at
very small cost per acre. and then
| it will be very valuable. This drain
age question is a big one, tnt if We
keep working at it we shall eventual
ly settle it. 1t is source of satisfac-
ton that the government is lending
helping hand in its settlement"
i