The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1912-02-02

nual bills and there is therefore no
occasion TO press for larger appro.
prIations than are deemed necessary
by the chief OF engineers.
For the last two years the appro-
prlations have meen made in this way
and in almost all cases have been lin
tied to the necessities OF the fiscal
year and consequently II a bill is not
passed this session OF congress, river
and harbor work all over the country
will be stopped. wnicn would entail
great financial loss on the government
through the deterioration Of plants
that would necessarily ensue. So, as
/ have said, there must be a bill
passed TO provide for maintenance
and continuing work upon existing
projects. ~.
q reali5zs that there is great need
Tor economy In appropriations and ex-
pendituress and wheheE We should go
Ibeyond what have indicated and pro.
vide for entirely new projects is de.
-batable question. There are how:
ever, some projects Of great merit
which should be adopted by Congress
at the earliest possible date and l
hope that some Of them can be includ.
ed in the measure now under consld.
GRAFTON by the committee on Rivers
and Harbors. 1t will take about $2O,.
100000 for maintenance and continu,
ance OF existing projects and in, view
of the condition of the Treasury, ap.
preparations for new work should he
kept well within ten millions addi.
tlona!.
There has undoubtedly been in
New England as in other parts OF the
country a decided increase in the in.
terest of river and harbor work. The
educational campaign carried on by
the National Rivers and Harbors Con.
gress and kindred associations every.
where believe is largely responsible
for the aroused public sentiment now
universalln our country looking to
the improvement Of our rivers and
harbcrs. 2
Boston is to De made one OF the
greatest ports in the world II money
and public spirit can do It. The State
has appropriated ssO0O,OO0 to be ex-
pended in the GoAstruetiop ofedocks.
etc, under the direction Of a very eff
ficient and public.spirited board"
In order, to cooperate with 1.-THE Bos.
ton harbof board Congressman Law.
renee will have inserted in. the river
and harbor bill Two surveys, one to
provide deep water connections with
all docks constructed by the State
and the other to provide for q 4O.foot
channel in the outer harbor from Pres.
ldent Roads to Massachusetts Bay.
Should this latter, project be recon.
mended by the engineers 1t will mean
a large expenditure OF money on the
part OF the government,
A new project of much Importance
has been recommended for Portland
harBor, Maine, The, people Of that city
having shown an intense interest in
the project and are exceedingly anxi.
Gus that it be provided for in the
coming bill that work may be com,
menced at once. iaG f"ht:r 4; =
One oI,the most ambitious Of New
England projects Is that at New Lon.
don, Conn. The local authorities have
made provisions for the expenditure
Of $1,OOO,OOO and have asked for sur.
vey in the, coming bill with a. view to
tile construction OF 4O.foot channel
and a report by the engineers on the
question OF cooperation by the ma.
tional government withSthe Statetof
Connecticut. 1t is believed that New
London can be made great port and
the local authorities, 1t is understood,
stand ready TO contribute their full
share.