The weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Craig County, Okla.) 1905-1913, 1912-04-19
RIVER REGULATION
THE CAMPAIGN CRY
LOWER MISSISSIPPI

New Orleans, La, April 12.-Riyer
regulation, in the words of George II.
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 such regulation in conjunc-
ton with a good levee system will |
forever safeguard the valleys from
overfows," said Mr.. Maxwell, wEo 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 g. 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 floods 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 flood area Of
our country, whether in the East, the
South, or the West. We know how TO
change the awful destructive flood
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
ef it, The time y opportune f-r an
immediate start on this great work.
The Panama Canal ;s now nearly fir
ished. Even now the services o.
part of the splendid working army ia
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 III
the south and east or in the west,
should be at once put Ill order for the
work that must be done to save the
lives and property of our 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 part of her gallant crew III
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 it's value if wisely used
would prevent forever such lossesj
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, a people to
claim without shame that we SO gov
ern ourselves. We pray that YOU will
take such action at New Orleans and
Immediately thereafter at Washing
ton, that the Newland's bill may be en-
acted into law and the good work of
y conservation and control be started
without further delay.
Yours truly
The River Regulation Commission Of
Stockton, California.
BY J. L. Craig, Chairman.