The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1912-12-21

on December 9th (see letter Of Capt
Sheriff. attached) In conference
with Capt. Sheriff.. U. 8. Engineer
stationed at New Orleans. he thinks
he will have some funds left over
from this letting. and have requested
gere south. and have advised him
that the District could put 100000
in this enlargement, and the two funds
would do a major portion Of II.
With the ievees now under contract
finished and the enlargement from
Bougerc south. the system will be in
good condition. Then. the revised
grade which the River Commission
expects to adopt. should be urged.
I hope 1t will not be less than 5
feet above the record water, with a
IL IT. crown, and and I to I slopes on
both sides,and with sufficient appropri-
ations to revet all the caving banks
SO that all funds can go into en-
largement, raising and maintaining:
that the building OF new levees will
be a thing Of the past.
The caving banks which will prob
ably need new loops before general
revetment and appropriations will be
sufficient to save all ievees are: NOR
ANCY and CABIN-TELLE: DUCK
PORT. in Madison Parish: COTTAGE
HOME. in Tensas Parish; FAIRvIEw
In Concordia Parish.
The River Commission. has. in the
past given first consideration to the
caving bends where It would be most
expensive and difficult to build new
levees. but its desire and expectation
is to protect all caving banks and ar
rest all caving.
Repairs Of defects developed during
the 1912 high water are nearing COM
pletion; the Salem crevasse on Decem-
Der LIST had 80 per cent OF earth in
place and will be completed by De-
have made fair progress only: all out
fits were allowed to put their forces
on the crevasses. though nearly all now
have forces on them placing earth
and in case Of extreme high water
be on hand to put on topping: mos
Of them are under agreement to take
care Of these stretches during higi
water.
WORK UNDER CONTRACT.
BY the U. S. States and District.
approximately
New Levees ..............1,6 24,512
Enlargement. ............4.S57.TS7
FINANCES.
Owing to the disasters of 1912 and
the inability Of the property owners
to pay taxes and the absolute neces-
sity Of funds for levee work to CO.
operate with the State and United
States. the Board ives authorized to
issue 100000 bonds. bearing per
cent interest. One half. or $3.50. 200. 90
have been negotiated; the other half
Is on deposit with the State Treasurer
for safe keeping subject to the dis
position of the Board in the future
With the sale of bonds there are now
sufficient funds In sight to complete
all contracts and to pay the interest
which will be due on the bonds.
The public and the representatives
of the Mississippi Valley in the Ma
iional Congress should not rest until
the United States Government make.
such appropriations as will build lie,
wees to Withstand any water. and then
to protect all caving banks and max,
locations permanent. No country IL
more fertile than the alluvial land;
Of the Mississippi Valley. and no peo-
pie more intelligent and progressiv,
IL any Of the great powers of Europ,
(Ensland, France or Germany owneC
such an Empire as the Mississippi
Valley from Cairo to the Gulf. apprC
priations would be forthcoming-nC
only to protect 1t from overflow, blu;
to drain and make tillable every
acre along the river. and with the
Panama Canal opened the need To-,
navigation Of the Mississippi with
necessary improvement for the chan
mel will make all banks stable anu
the problem Of levee building and pro-
tecting the Valley from inundation
will be solved.
can ask for your Board no better
conditions than to have the same har-
monious work which has prevailed In
the Boards Of the past and for NOR,
active and unanimous support than
has been extended your predecessors
and am sure / can say (withou
| hesitation) that the former member.
will always be ready to extend to yo
all possible assistance as workers Ii
the ranks.
| Respectfully admitted