The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1911-11-30
} Complete River Improve
nlents and Not Up to
Engineers.

Engineers.
WASHINGTON, D. c., Nov. pa
Qeaetal W. II. Bisaby, chief OF en-
Eiaeers. United States army, In his
eRnual report to Congress, made pub
ioday makes It plain that the prof.
eet OF completing the locks and dams
the Ohio river within the twelve
wears fixed by Congress In 1910 Tor
sneir completion. IS feasible and that
no reason exists why the work should
not be completed in that tiine-if sur
neient appropriations are made. In
effect. the chief Of engineers throws
down the gauntlet TO Congress and
makes II plain that II there Is 10 be
deiay in the work It viii be the fault
kof Congress and not of the engineers.
Speaking Of the work on the Ohio
river. General Bixby says:
.completion OF this extensive i'm
provement within the period Of twelve
Years, as ordered by Congress, re-
anlres vigorous and continuous
Prosecution Of the work and necessi-
1ates ample provision by cash apprc.
prlation and contract authorization
II provision is made for commencing
a. Sufficient number of ne wlocks an6
dams each year. no reason is known
Why the Improvement should not be
cenpieted within the limit Of time
fixed by law"
Al total cash appropriation of 81.
100000 and the right TO contract 10.
work to the extent OF $3.50, 900 more
are recommended for the coming SEES
sion Of Congress, as necessary to carry
put the plan OF fastening the Ohio
river work ana General BixDy adds:
Tn order 10 complete the canailza-
tion of this river within the time limit
set by Congress II is essential not only
that the amounts now recommended
for appropriation be provided in the
river and harbor and sundry civil acts
during the next session Of Congress.
but also that additional contract au-
thorization to the amount recommend
ed be granted"
OF the total OF $4,000. 900 asked as
cash appropriations, Gen. Bixby asks
for $1,000, 900 TO cover obligations in
connection with the work on locks and
dams which have been commenced
and which are to be constructed un-
der continuing contract authorizations
contained in previous acts. He says:
THAT this sum is not larger is due
solely to unavoidable delay to work Of
contractors, caused by floods during
the fan of 1911"
In addition to the $1,000. 600 asked
for this purpose. General Rixby asks
for $4,000. 600 10 meet the expenses
OF OPERATIONS during the next fiscal
year at other localities where work
viii be done with hired labor with
government plant on locks and dams
now authorized, an dthe expenses at
other sites where work should be COM
menced in the near future by CON
tract or otherwise. Gen. BIxby says:
"slnce the construction of a lock
and dam win require at least four
years, the cash appropriation estl-
mated for should be supplemented BY
a continuing contract authorization in
the further sum OF $3.50, 900, in or
der that additional contracts may be
made for those locks and dams for
when only partial provision has here
tofore been made. and Ia order that
The additional locks and dams which
Sshould be commenced during the next
fiscal year in order 70 carry out the
program Of completion announced by
Congress nay be placed under CON
tact"