The Vinita daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1913, 1912-04-12
RIVER REGULATION
THE CAMPAIGN CRY
LOWER MISSISSIPPI

New Orleans. La, April 12.-River
regulation, in the words of George H.
Maxwell, must become the campaign
cry of the people of the Mississippi
Valley, no matter what their party
politics, if their fertile fields are to
be made safe from overflow and their
country is to be freed from the ad-
verse opinion of the remainder of the
world.
The flood waters of the Mississippi
river and its tributaries can be regu-
lated and sdch regulation in conjunc-
ton with good leyee system will
forever safeguard the valleys from
overfiows,' said Mr.. Maxwell, who is
an ardent supporter of the Newland's
River Regulation bill, to-day The
entire country will back up the de-
mand of the people of the Mississippi,
the Ohio and the Missouri valley for
constructive legislation of this char
acter.'
In proof of his assertion he exhibit
ed the following telegram from the
far west:
Stockton, Cal, April &. 1912.
Mr.. Geo. H. Maxwell, Executive Chair
man, Board of Control, National
Drainage Congress, st. Charles
Hotel, New Orleans.
Dear Sir: We extend our heartfelt
sympathy to the sufferers from the
present finods in the East and South.
Our sympathy is tinctured with shame
as we know that the appalling loss Of
life and property could and ought to
have been prevented. AS a people
we have the intelligence and the
money to do the required work that
will control forever the food area of
our country, whether in the East, the
OOutH, VI Tic west. VIC hhOW ~" w
change the awful destructive food
forces into constructive and beneficial
powers. With these forces we can
improve and make permanently nav
igable, our inland water ways generate
enormous quantities of electric power,
make safe the Investments and in
crease the Improvements in our great
valleys and while doing SO shall re-
move the danger of drought or fear
Of it. The time S opportune FIR an
immediate start ON this great work.
The Panama Canal Is now nearly fin
ished. Even now the services Of a
part of the splendid working army is
being dispensed with and part of the
equipment is being sold. These train
ed men should be kept together and
the equipment ttat can be usel IN
the south and east or in the west,
should be at once put III order for The
work that must be done to save the
lives and property Of cur people by
properly conserving the natural forces
and resources of our country. There
can be no excuse for another hours
delay. The sinking of the Maine with
so large a part of her gallant crew in
Havana aroused our people to war
What can we say to watching world
if we refuse to act as promptly and as
energetically when the lives of our
people are being taken by floods that
we can control or droughts thas we
can prevent? To the loss of life we
must add the destruction of property
so vast that its value if wisely used
would prevent forever such lossesi
Under such conditions can We still
say that we have a government of the
people, by the people, and for the
people? To enable us, people to
claim without shame that we so gov
ern ourselves. We pray that yon will
take such action at New Orleans and
Immediately thereafter at Washing
ton, that the Newland's bill may be IN
acted into law and the good work of
conservation and control be started
without further delay.
Yours truly,
The River Regulation Commission OF
Stockton, California.
BY J. L. Craig, Chairman