Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1912-05-17

the 1912 food developments, assumed the
character of a prophecy The damage
that has been wrought to levees at various
points from Illinois to Louisiana may not
have amounted to $40, 900. But as
the waters of a record breaking flood
have spread over fertile acres having an
aggregate arear of probably $4,000 square
miles, there have been many deaths by
drowning, restitution and disease have
followed the loss Of home and exposure
to the elements, and the damage to grow
ing crops and other property still heing
done will come close to the Percy esti-
mate of 1904.
The situation, which has been recog-
nized by far-seeing men for three-quar-
tiers of century, the situation calling for
adequate provision by the Federal Gov
eminent against further loss of life and
property, has become acute, and every
new day may give it further emphasis.
The proposition just offered In Congress,
that $50, ZOO, 900 be appropriated for
maintaining, raising and protecting the
levees of the Mississippi River and its
tributaries, is eminently conservative. 1t
comes thirty years after it was suggested
by President Arthur, who, in a message
to Congress, said:
The immense losses and widespread
suffering of the people dwelling near the
river induce me to urge upon Congress
the propriety Of not only making an APP
preparation to close the gaps in the levees
occasioned by the recent floods, as rec
commended by the commission, but that
Congress should inaugurate measures for
the permanent improvement of naviga-
ton of the river and security of the val
ley. 1t may be that such a system of i'm
provement would as it progressed require
the appropriation of $40, 900, 900 or $780,
900, 900. Even such an expenditure, ex-
tending, as it must, over several years,
cannot be regarded as extravagant in view
of the immense interest involved. The
safe and convenient navigation of the
Mississippi is matter of concern to all
sections OF the country, but to the North
west, with its immense harvests, needing
cheap transportation TO the sea, and to
the inhabitants of the river valley, whose
lives and property depend upon the prop
er construction of the safeguards which
protect them from the floods, it is of
vital Importance that well-matured and
comprehensive plan for improvement
should be put into operation with as lit
tie delay as possible. The cotton product
Of the region subject to the devastating
floods is a source of wealth to the nation
and of great importance to keeping the
balances of trade in our favor. 1t may
not be inopportune to mention that this
government has imposed and collected
some $40, OO0, 900 by tax on cotton, in
the production of which the population
of the Lower Mississippi is largely en-
gagged, and it does not seem inequitable
to return portion of this tax to those
who contributed it, particularly as such
action will also result in an important
gain to the country at large, and es-
pecially so to the great and rich States
Of the Northwest and the Mississippi Val
ley.
Every year that has passed since Presi-
dent Arthur urged that large appropria-
ton in 1882 has been marked by an in
crease in the conditions responsible for
the floods in the Mississippi Valley, and
by an increase in the opportunities for
damage by the floods as the Valley has
filed up with population and has been
the region for the investment of billions
of dollars of capital in manufacturing,
railroad construction agriculture and pub
lie improvements of divers times.
The 1912 food is call to prompt and
far-reaching action in which the Federal
and State Governments, municipalities
and individual citizens must cooperate.
having before them the working out Of
a policy which, while assuring protection |
against foods, win also look to means for
the prevention of floods and maintenance
of all-year navigation upon the great ar
teries Of inland trade.