Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-04-10
National Meeting in St.
LO' sWiII Demand Pro-
lection in Future.
TO RECLAIM SWAMPS
Held That 100000 Acres of
Overflow Land Could Be
Made Productive.

S. Louis. Mo, April 1O-The nation
al drainage congress, which began a
threo.days' session here today. has |
for frs chief work the preparation Of |
bill 20 be- introduced into the nation !
q. congress, providing a comprehen- |
sive plan Tor drainage and flood pro- /.
lection
one faction Of the congress will urge !
legislation for the appointment OF a |
national drainage commission, which |
shall center its efforts on the reclama- |
tiun ~ $4,000 900 acres Of swamp and
overflow land In the United States,
protecting public health by drainage
Of swamps and prevention Of floods by
an adequate system levees and storage
reservoirs.
imperative and prompt measures to
prevent floods along the Ohio and
Mississippi rivers and tributaries were
urged by Isham Randolph in an ad-
dress Mr. Randolph held regu-
latiOu Of food waters necessarily was
federal duty. and suggested event
ually a new member Of the cabinet
to be- AZ the head OF a federal depart
ment OF public works would be nee
ossary
HELD GOOD INVESTMENT.
II have been told that the estimat-
ed cost OF a reservoir system which
would be food preventative in the
Allegheny and Nonongahela rivers
would be $4,000 600" said Mr.. Ran
dulph. Suppose that system TO be
extended TO West Virginia and Ken
tucky az a cost Of $2O,OOO,000 more,
would II not be good investment?
Nc, only would this expenditure save
life and property along the Ohio riv-
er. but It would have like results
along the Mississippi below Cairo, for
with the holding back OF excess floods
from the Ohio. the food plane OF the
Mississippi would be lowered.
We have seen where the waters
of the Ohio come from. New York,
PENNSYLVANIA Ohio. West Virginia, In
diana, Illinois, Kentucky and Tennes-
sec and even Alabama, pour their
surplus waters into this overburdened
river
This IS not the whole problem;
II is but the problem OF one section
Of the country. a problem not for
state solution. but for the natinal gov
ernment. and II is the duty OF the
government to take hold OF it, and to
take hold OF Il now, with a purpose,
an intelligeuce and vigor which
will forever end the annual tribute
which its citizens must pay until re
lief comes. This tribute mounts up
10 the thousands OF human lives and
into MILLIONS upon millions Of prop
erty destroyed.
NEW DEPARTMENT NEEDED.
This great government neeus a
new department, the cabinet new
portfolio. We need national depart
ment OF public works, and its eXecuuTss
head should be a member OF the presi-
dents cabinet This belief does not
minimize my appreciation OF the army
engineer and ! cannot pass on with
out paying the men Of that branch or
our military service my tribute OF es-
teen. an esteem born OF my hnowl.
edge OF the things which they have
done and OF association with many a
man whose right II is 10 wear the
insignia Of the corps.
But West Point does not graduate
men enough TO supply the engineer.
ing needs OF a country like ours. The
training OF the army engineer Is not
conducive OF originality or initiative
He has 70 submit to a repression
which cramps his genius and curtaNs
his usefulness. I have had more than
one Of these men tell me that orig
inal suggestions about needed improve
q meuts were not only not welcomed IN
Washington. but II made, were apt to
be returned with something more
than a hint that until the informa
tion OF advice upon the subject which
prompted the communication was call
ed for. II was not desired.
ONLY % MEN AVAILABLE.
An examination Of the roster Of
army engineers in active service as
tonished me. Their number and ranl
is as follows; One chief OF engi
ncers with rank OF briEadier general
l. colonels 10 lieutenant colonels, 3!
majors. 81 captains. A. first lieuten
ants and "a second lieutenants. Al
told lIg men. Numerically, not enough
20 conduct the engineering operation:
q the Pennsylvania railroad. OF these
II are engaged in building the Pan
anna canal. two are in the Philippines
one In Hawaii and Il are detailed q.
instructors al West Point and othel
training schools.
This leaves 90 men 10 cope with
all the requirements Of these United