The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1912-10-13
.Whv This Delay?

w hS HAb1S @NANNJ
4 The apparent unwuiingness OF
two railroad companies to share ~
the expense of raising ond strength
ening the levees surrounding Cairo
and the Drainage District is a source
of much worry to the business inter
ests. While operations are not at a
standstill in the city, cond tons are
not as healthy as they should be.
Business is waiting to see just wha;
stems Cairo is going to take to pro-
tect itself from future inundation
and until a definite plan is decided
upon and work is actually started,
the men who spend the money are
gong to wait.
Cairo has definitely decided that
It will not only strengthen and raise
its own levees but it will also see
that the levees around the Drainage
District are made safe. Cairo al
ready has obtained promise or
s250.000 from the government and
it is now. waiting on the railroad
companies 1t is authoritatlVeiy
stated that the Illinois Genital il
prepared to pay its share OF the ex-
pense. while the other railroads,
Greater henefciaries of an adequate
levee system, have not indicated just
what they will do, or, so fan as can
be learned, have not definitely indi-
Gated that they will do anything.
This delay is making business suf-
fer When business suffers. CairC
suffers fo- it is business that he
made the city Cairo cannot perm
business to suffer too long If it want.
to hold it. Work should have been
started on the levees before this an6
the entire job should be completed,
or nearly so. before the next high
water season arrives.
1t Is highly probable that the flood
Of 1o1a will never he ~epeated. brit
such 1hif IS e~a ret imaoesihle In
dicatioae are that the high water OF
1913 will not be dangerous. but VIII
is willing to risk his reputation on
4 prediction of this sort?s Business
will rot take any chances on uncer-
tainties. 1t demands to know posi-
lively that Cairo will be able to pro
tect itself from a food next year II
there is food.
Mayor Parsons and other member.
of the Citizens Executive COMMITTEES
have exerted every possible effort t
rush the permanent work. There Il
absolutely nothing for which the.
can be criticised. Many conference
have been held and countless letter
and kilograms have been exchanged
but the two roads still hold back
There cannot be any doubt as Il
the position these two roads Should
take in the matter. They will be tn,
: greatest beneficiaries Of a safe leve
system and therefore are morally OBJ
ngated to shaee thr expense II i
d common business proposition. Car
Will prosper If protected, Prospert
for Cairo means increased revenue
for the railroads. If they desire t
enjoy this prosperity they Will HAY
to#"come across"
Cairo isn't going back. The raj
roads know this as well as the bus
ness men of Cairo. The railroad
could not abandon Cairo If the
chose to new They might have dor
SO sco-e OF years ago. but the
cannot do 1t now. Anything IL
railroads do for Cairo will not
charity. Money spent by them wi
Lc we'll invested. The physical dan
age and loss OF business suffered |
+ thictH iCduS III tut last HOOu WI
corrobcrate this statement.
II is possible that the officials
tie two roads are not entirely E
r'liar with the situation If this
taGe Cairo could DO nothing bett,
than hold Joint meeting Of Il
three LEGAL organizations. with Il
Officials as the guests of homo
There is enough speaking talent
the city to fully advise them as
JUS how muth their respective cor
panics should pay of what the ben
fits will be.
Cairo must let the tardy officia
Fncw that III means business
must let them know that 1t W
have franchise and other favors
distribute in the future. If it CT
accomplish its end by peaceful met