The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-10-18

Official notification is given by w. H.
Bixhy. Chiefaof Engineers OF the War
Department, that he expects to be able
to transmit to Congress in time for
action during Its next session a COM
plete report on all sections of the pro-
posed intracoastal waterway. This In
oludes all divisions of the work, en-
iDracing the entire proposition from
Boston. Mass. to the Mexican Texas
line on the Gulf of Mexico.
This Is the good news which Presi-
dent ]. Hampton Moore promised the
Atlantic Deeper Waterways Associa
ton last night He announced that
the report or Engineer BiXby will be
read at this mornings session. 1t will
prove "a source OF much qualification
that the work has progressed so far.
Report In Full.
The report OF Mr.. Bixby is as follows:
War Department
Office of the Chief of Engineers,
Washington. October II, 1911.
My Dear Mr.. Moore,-l. Many thanks
for the compliment of your renewed
invitation to me to be present October
1920 at the Richmond convention Of
the Atlantic Deeper Waterways Asso-
citation. i regret that am not able
to accept your invitation; the work, of
this office necessitating my presence In
this city at that time.
=. Understanding that the convention
VIII be interested in learning the pres
ent status or the proposed intracoastal
project II Is believed that the follow
Ing statement of past action and pres
ent situation may be of interest:
8. The river and harbor act Of March
3. 1909. provides for a survey for a
continuous waterway. inland where
prac tica6lc, from Boston, Mass, to Key
West, Fla, and directed the examinn.
tion of all practicable routes. prepara-
ton of plans and estimates of cost
along the most available route, and a
report as TO the desirability of utiliz-
ing as a part of such waterway any
existing canal with tho hn 10,
of acquiring it, The act also provided
Tor similar Investigations for. an inland
waterway across the State of Florida
and along the Gulf OF Mexico to the
Rio Grande.
!. In order to enable the Chief of En-
gineers TO submit to Congress the re-
ports called for. three special boards of
engineer officers were constituted To
one of these boards was assigned the
duty of preparing IL report containing
The information directed by Congress
with respect to so much OF The pro-
posed waterway as lies between Bos-
ton. Mass. and Beaufort. II. c.; TO n
second board was assigned n simila.
uuty with respect to that portion be-
tween Beaufort, n. C.. and Key West
RIA. and also as to the proposed in
land route across the State of Florida:
while to 1t third board was assigned
me proposed waterway along the coast
Of the Gulf of Mexico. Colonel Will
liam NJ, Black Colonel Dan C. King
man and Northumberland l.. IL
Beach. Corps OF Engineers, are the
senior members of the three special
boards which were so appointed. The
irst special board has completed its
Investigations and has submitted TO the
Cnief OF Engineers plans estima ties and
recommendations regarding the con.
struction OF II waterway between Bos.
ton. Mass, and Beaufort ~ c. The
second board has submitted its report
as to the waterway between Beaufort
n. c.. to Key West, Fla, and Ii is OK
pected that its report upon the IN
Iand waterway across the state of
Florida Will be submitted in the near
future. The third board has submitted
plans and recon;;ncndations regarding
an inland waterway along the coast
Of the Gulf of Mexico.
D. The act of June 49, 1902 provided
for the organization in Washington
OF permanent board of five engineer
ofhcers. and provided that there should
be referred to It for consideration and
recommendation all reports upon en-
aminations and surveys provided for
by Congress, and the act further pro-
vded that the board should submit 10.
the Chief OF Engineers recommcnda.
tons as to tho dc Inability OF com
mencinE or continuing improvements
upon which reports are required the
hoard in its considcra ton of such pro-
1ects to keep in View the amount and
character. of commerce existing or rea-
sonanly prospective to be benefited by
the. Improvement. the relation OF the
ultimate cost Of such work to the