The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-29
Situation So Acute That the Levee Guards Are Be-
 ing Redoubled
STRENGTHEN LEVEES AROUND NEW ORLEANS
Much Work Done Near Railroad Ferries-Levee Around Rayvil Holding With Water a FootA
 From the Top

Baton Rouge La, April 2S.---With a .se of more than a quarter of foot below the mouth of the Red river. where the belated floods of the Dog Tall and Panther Forest crevasses are pouring back into the Mississippi river, Iresulting in the highest water hero ever known in the history of the river. the flood situation has reached such a serious point that levee guards south of this place tonight were redoubled.
 All day high winds have been sweep Ing the waves with considerable force against the remaining meagre portion of the levees sticking out above tho level of the river. making conditions more serious than al any time since the present high water began. Every possible precaution has been taken, but no one familiar with Mississippi river floods will predict the outcome. Reports from the sections already under water indicate that the work of the relief committees and the United States army officers is going ahead with such regularity as conditions will permit.
 All reports of destitute and ma rooned have been followed up and re- lief accorded and the refugees camps at Vicksburg. Delhi and a half dozen other places are hourly receiving re- cruits brought in by rescue partie es navigating the waters covering tho thousands of acres many miles away from the river
 The levees in this section are being put 10 the most severe test since their construction, and It Is believed that the next ten days will see all danger passed provided no further breaks occur
 New Orleans, April 2S-More water than ever before known in the history of the Mississippi river Is on it's way to the gulf, was the statement made tonight by C. D. Townsend president of the Mis- ssslppi river commission the members of which arrived here today aboard the steamer Mississippi from St. Louis While passing the flooded sections of southern Arkansas. eastern Louisiana and north western Mississippi they made a close inspection of the situation.
 Upon the receipt tomorrow of messages telling of the expected favorable action by Congress upon the special appropria- ton of Sl500.000 for the immediate assist anoe of Mississippi levees, the members of the commission will confer aboard the Mississippi upon the plans of distribution and take action upon these plans sub mitted by United States engineers. No time will be lost in making the cash im- mediatey available for needed Improve ments. After an inspection of New Or leans levees the commission Will hear the report of the New Orleans levee board.
 New Orleans April 2s.--Not single un- favorable report regarding the Mississippi river levees in the fourth federal dis trict, from Vicksburg south to the jettles. was received today at the office of the United States engineers who have charge of the work.
 The federal inspectors reported that tho Dog Tail crevasse waters, which for more than two weeks have been spread ing desoation through northeast Louis- jana from East Carroll parish south for a hundred miles. are pouring back into the Mississippi between Point Breeze and lower old river. The return flow will be permanent now, say the engineers, and the rise will be pronounced each day for the next 10 days or two weeks at all points south of Terras. the Red river junction.
 Light Fall Reported
 The river gauge reading at o'clock this morning showed rise of l10 of foot at New Orleans and Donaldsonyille and q rise of a-l0 al Baton Rouge for the q hours. From Natchez north a slight fall was recorded.
 At New Orlears tonight at o'clock tho gauge registered 20.2 feet, an additional rise of 110 of foot since Il. m. This gauge, however, Is the same as that recorded last night at o'clock The Mississippi river commission reached New Orleans today on the steam CT Mississippi from up liver points and will remain here~for several days. A con- ference will be held tomorrow with the members of the orleans levee board. Levees about the city have been strengthened, much work having been done near the Southern Pacific and Texas and Pacific ferries where the water has been sweeping Into the strets. There is no danger at these points, but the engineers are talking every precaution for safety.