The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-23
BOARD FAVORS HE WARRIOR PROJECT Plan to Develop Enormous
 Power A DAM 63 FEET HIGH Will do Away With Two Proposed Locks-The Project Means Much
 for the Birmingham
 District
By WALTER HARPER

Washington, June 22.-(Specal.)-The engineering board of the United States army has made favorable report on the proposed improvement of the Black War ror river above Lock Is in cooperation with the Birmingham Water. Light and Power company. The bill providing for the improvement and carrying the neces- sary appropriation was introduced by Senator Johnston of Alabama and effort will be made to secure it's passage at the present session.
 The bill and report of the engineers on the project, which mean much for the in- dustrial development of the Birmingham district, follow:
 MT. Nelson, from the committee on commerce, submitted the following re- port:
 ITO accompany $. 943.1
 "The committee on commerce. to whom was referred the bill (s. s4s) to improve navigation on Black Warrior river, in the state of Alabama, having considered the same, report 1t with amendments, and as amended, recommend its passage.
 The bill thus amended has the ap- proval of the war department, as will ap- pear by the annexed letter; the amend ments referred to therein having been incorporated in the bill as reported. War Department, Office of the Chief of Engineers, Washington, June 15, 1911 To Secretary of War:
 Sir-I have the honor to return here with a letter dated April +, 1911, from the Senate committee on commerce, in- closing for the views of the department thereon s. 943, Slxty-second Congress, first session, "A bill to improve naviga- tlon on Black Warrior river, in the state of Alabama.
 The object of this bill is to authorize the Secretary of War to change that rart of the existing project for the i'm provement of Black Warrior river which involves the construction of locks and dams designated as Nos r, IS and 19, the specific purpose of the proposed modifica- ten being to permit of the practicable and economical development of water power, in connection with the work of improve meht, through cooperation with local in- dTstrial interests. After modifying the project the Secretary of War is em- powered to enter into contract with the Birmingham Water, Light and Power company for the construction of the works provided for in such modified pro- ject, the consideration being the ex- elusive grant to the company of the right to use and dispose of the surplus water, not required for the purposes of pavga- ton, which may be created or developed by said works.
 The proposition embraced in the bill is a very important one, involving, as it does, material changes in the adopted rroJect and the termination of an existing contract for which reason the bill was referred for consideration to the board of engineers for rivers and harbors. created by section of the river and harbor act of June IS, 1902. This board has given the subject most careful study. and in its report of the 18th utimo, 10 which attention is respectfully invited, the pres ent project and proposed changes theren, are fully set forths and the contemplated plan of river improvement and power de- velopmenti Is discussed in detail. The board reaches the conclusion that l tfe scheme of cooperation contemplated | ty the bill is worthy and desirable one, anu recommends favorable action on the | measure by Congress provided certain amendments designed to better safeguard the federal interests are made therein. concur in the views and recommendation of the board, and on a copy of the bill herewith submitted I have indicated in red the amendments considered desir- able.
 In this connection it should be noted that in pursuance of provision in the river and harbor act of March 3, 1909, Q survey of Mulberry and Locust Forks of the Warrior river" has recently been completed. and the report thereon has been forwarded to Congress today. AS this report contains information and data related to the subject matter of the bill under consideration. it is suggested that the attention of the committee be invited thereto.
 It is deemed proper 10 add that early consideration of the bill by Congress is important, as, in the absence of con-