The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1913-04-03
DEEPER CHANNELS ARE NEEDED To
PREVENT FLOODS SAYS BIXBY
Chief Of Engineers Declares System of Reservoirs Would
do Little Good-Secretary Lane Plans Reclamation
of acknowledgements May Take up Question.
Washinrton- Anr,I s-Ho

Washington, April s.-How best to
control those streams that are subject
to foods is attracting the attention Of
public men in Washington. 1t Is be-
lieved the matter will come before
ton Of some sort. The subject was
discussed here by Gen. William II.
Bixby, chief of engineers Of the army;
Secretary Of the Interior Lane. and
Prof. Moore of the weather bureau.
Gen. Bfxby took sharp issue with
the theory that a system of reservoirs
could prevent flood disasters in the
middle west. He held that the only
pies. by which the rivers could do tho
work intended for them by nature,
and which now Is ~obstructed by tho
advance Of civilization.
"The o reasonable and practical
plan to prevent such floods as we are
now having" said Gen. Bixby. els the
deepening, widening, and the straight
ening Of the rivers, especially the
widening of the streams. AS a matter
OF fact, 1t Is easier to prevent floods
than to remedy their consequences.
Bixby Does Not Favor Reservoirs.
I'm my opinion. the reservoir sys-
tenn will not do. It would have re-
quired a reservoir as large as the
states of Ohio. Indiana and Illinois.
with a depth Of fifteen to twenty feet,
to have held the excess water that
the last great flood"
Secretary Lane detailed a plan
which hinges on the deepening and
widening Of all streams liable to flood
conditions. This plan Mr.. Lane hopes
to see carried u through the CO.
operation of the states Immediately
endangered with the federal govern
ment. y
Aside from the perpetual protection
against flood which he believes his
reclamation plan would give to set
tiers in low regions, there are wide
spread districts along the Mississippi
and other rivers that would be thrown
open to settlement for the first time
by the reclamation that his plan would
make possible. The land thus re-
claimed. from the swamps might go
a long way, in Mr.. Lanes opinion, to
reimburse the states for the appro.
priations thev would be called upon
to make.
THE thing is too large for the
states alone" said Secretary Lane. "a
harmonious. scientific system must be
worked out by the federal authorities.
and the states must then make their
contributions in tho way that would
do most good to the whole valley at
fected."
Extra Session Nlay Act.
Secretary Lane approves the plan Of
Senator Newlands Of Nevada for n
nationwide study Of the subject by a
national commission.
1t is possible hat President Wilson,
Secretary Lane. OF Secretary of War
Garrison may discuss the subject in
reports or messages to congress-. For
mer Senator Leroy Percy said a year
ago that hut for the Titanic wreck,
which distracted public attention from
the sufferers Of the Mississippi food.
congress- would have been forced to
act on a wholesale plan. At present
It Is pointed out. public attention il
focused on the flood. and II the sub.
ject should be pointedly raised at the
extra session, no one would be sur.
prised.
1t is expected that meaoures for ar
scented simultaneously IN the two
Of the respective appropriations com
mittees. Chairman Fitzgerald Of the
house committee IL at his home ir
Brooklyn. but II due to arrive here
the latter part Of next week Senator
Martin OF Virginia. who presides owe
the senate committee. has declared
that he favors a prompt and adequate
allowance.
Prevention Is the Issue.
While house and senate member.
are agreed that congress should gran,
substantial assistance. the enormity Of
the disaster has turned the attention
propagation OF food prevention.
Senator Joseph II. Rnnsdcll oil
Louisiana, who is president of the ma.