Jefferson jimplecute. (Jefferson, Tex.) 1907-1926, 1911-10-06
CYPRESS bayou.
W. T. Atkins Letter to Secretary
of War.
JEFFERSON COMMECIAL CLUB.

six. w men Tie TlSllIS Ol Ulle
people have been ignored, and
when the appeals of the people
have been time and again un.
heard and put aside by subordi-
nate officers, these officers as
suming that the people whose
rights have been ignored are UNI
acquainted with the facts and
surroundings and know nothing
of the cause of their complaint.
it becomes necessary that the
people appeal to a higher au-
thority, hoping that all wrongs
heretofore done them may be
righted, and the great financial
losses sustained by reason CT
such negligence may, in a meas
ure, be returned by a prompt
righting of the wrong.
Feeling that this city, county,
and the Countrywide beneficial
ries by the improvements of
Cypress River, including some
thirty -odd counties, containing
at least 100000 people-have
been and are being greatly
wronged by the continued neg
lect of Cypress and Red River
below Shreveport, believing this,
the Commercial Club of this city
have determined to appeal to
you, believing that you will not
submit to any injustice being
done anyone or any section of
the country if the facts are hon
estly placed before you. This
club disclaims all intention of
impugning the motives of any
one, or doing anyone an injus-
tee, yet such grevious wrong
has been done this section of the
State by the neglect of the en-
gineer in charge of this depart
ment and that the club is forced
to appeal to you for proper in
vestigation as to the cause OF
this continued neglect and injury
done the navigation Of Cypress
River.
Senator Flanagan, of Texas,
March 3, 1878, made the follow
ing statement; Il propose to
amend, on page 10, by inserting
at the end Of line $40, for a con
tinuation of the improvements OF
Cypress Bayou, in Texas, $50, 900,
be continued" saying; THAT the
legitimate, and really the recon.
mendation of the officers of the
government was some 1912, 600,
but | had no idea that the Senate
would be so literally disposed, or
| should have contended for $500,
600; but | thought if | could get
$50, 900 | would be gratifed, and
still shall be if the Senate will
pass it,.
1t would seem that had the
gentleman understood the situa-
ton he could have gotten what
was recommended by the Gov
eminent officers, 1912, 900 Evil
IDENTIFY they were justified by the
commerce in then making the
recommendation.
January 3, 1885, Capt. Eric
Bergland made the following re
port: In compliance with let
ter to Mai. A. NJ. Miller, corps
of engineers, dated Office of the
Chief of Engineers, United
States Army, Washington, d. c.
July 81, 1884, and the require
ments of the river and harbOr
act of July ), 1884, have the
honor to submit the following
report on the examination of
Cypress Bayou and the lakes
between Jefferson, Texas, and
Shreveport, La, made for the
purpose of ascertaining if the
necessary Improvements can not
be made upon some other plan
than building a dam across the
Albany Flats as recommended
by the engineer. "
1t would seem that the engin-
eer had recommended dam
across Albany Flats, yet for
some cause and at the instigation
of some one a plan was called for
to seen if some other plan could
be found than the one suggested.
Why was this done? Again Capt.
Bergland says, under same date
"A report upon the Examination
Cypress Bayou was sent TO the
department by Major Miller.
with letter dated August |, lN-3.
In this report the amount est.
mated for the necessary improve
ments was given at $4,000. In
order 20 ascertain whether any
important changes had occurred
since the examination i'm l@-3,
directed Assistant Engineer
Burrows tOmake an examination
and submit plans and estimates
for improvement. His report.
which il submitted herewith.
describes ia detail the existing
Instructions 20 navigation. the
estimate for removing these, and
/ the benefits 10 commerce tia,
may bee expected from such inn