The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1912-04-25
eRIpLINe THE MISSISSIPPI.

BRIDLING THE MISSISSIPPI.
An ounce of prevention in the ex-
penditure of millions of dollars in the
permanent protection of the Missis-
sippi valley from such floods as the
one raging this spring, would, in the
opinion of editorial observers, far out
value the pound of cure which the
government almost annually offers in
temporary relief measures. Not that
these editors believe this to be light
task. Indeed, thev are inclined to-
ward the Springfield Republicans
view that it Is 1.-The great engineering
problem of the century, and that to
it's solution "the digging of the Pan
anna canal and the irrigation Of the
arid west will be trifles in compare
SON. The Republican suggests the
reforestation of the area drained by
the Mississippi, supplemented by a
vast system of dams and reservoirs,
widely distributed to hold in check the
minor contributory sources, and to
regulate the flow." The st. Louis
Globe Democrat says that floods are
preventable, and that the people can
stop them, but does not say just who
should do it. But other editors see
clearly that the task is one for the
/ federal government; the Baltimore
Sun, for instance, reasons thus:
"The great river and its tributaries
which contribute to the food are in
many states. No one state, no half
dozen states cooperating can deal
| with the matter One or two states
might construct system Of levees
within their own boundaries. and 1t
might all go for nothing because of
the overflow from above. Besides this
the financial undertaking of controll-
ing the flood would be too big for any
enc state. For these and other reasons
the control of the Mississippi flood
is federal question.
Perhaps the prime cause of the
foods has been the destruction of for
ests in the Mississippi valley. The
rain which falls in forests is held by
i the soft mold and the accumulation Of
dead leaves until it is gradually alb
j sorbed BY the earth and runs off
Il through the springs. But when rain
Z IditP AJOil Hdfn Ciouiia IL iNhS
off at once. Reforestation of the head
waters would make good beginning
lin the work of avoiding these floods.
Some time ago 1t was suggested that
a great number of embankments might
, be made in various states and artific'
ial lakes created which would i'm
pound the freshet waters and that In
the drv season these waters could be
gradually released.
Perhaps the best way would be the
creation by congress of a board of ex
y pert engineers to consider and study
the whole question and recommend
some practical plan to congress. II
might be considered In connection
with the improvement of the rivers o.
the great valley as highways OF com
MERGE"
Though the government does nov
spend millions" in strengthening the
! Mississippi river banks. 1t has not
succeeded. according to the Minneap
oils Journal, itself a Mississippi valley
paper, in making life and Industries
safe behind these frail dikes' Hence
r the Journal wonders If the problem
is not "a little too deep for con
: gress." It says:
: 1T is odd that the lower Mississippi
I foods are usually considered vista
: tions of Providence. Instead of beinf
8 viewed as the most obvious things II
r nature, they are held fnscrutable
: Congress flies to the relief Of the dis
: tressed. as it must when irreparabl'
= misfortune overtakes those who arr
utterly unable to help themselves
Congress then lapses into the state 0
g mind which views foods as sometime
IT the Lord gives and the Lord will TAX
st away, at the same time blessing Hi
in name and going to sleep again.
,s The government, 1t is true, spend
- millions in strengthening the bank
:. OF the river. But it does not strength
y en- them SO as &c make 1t really SAT
a TO build houses ard till farms behin
lg these frail dikes.
es The problem apparently is it'll
e. TOO deep for congress. Perhaps If /
ev consulted engineering talent it woul
nv MT on some plan whereby the countr
ic. Vppld get the benefit Of the floods. in
stead OF getting only damage. Pos
We slbly Instead Of trying to confine th
~ sllssisslppl IN che trench, a proceed
re ing which the Mississippi seems a
ais tifnes Hereby to resent, engineerin
of SCIENCE could devise plans whereof
,rs .he surplus water could be Grained o.
"a, ~ numerous lateral trenches TO fregI
en- the countryside and to enrich II
! SOIL instead of ripping farms I