The Washington times., 1913-04-09
WILSON SEEKS PLAN
TO PREVENT FLOODS
General Bond Issue and Use of
Panama Canal Force Part
of Scheme Proposed.

President Wilson is seriously con-
cerned over what method is TO be pur-
sued to prevent floods in the middle
West. such as have just devastated
that territory. He considers it one of
the greatest problems confronting his
Administration. A comprehensive plan
must be adopted. he believes. and 1t Is
likely that the Secretary of War will
he ordered to direct his engineers 20
prepare a detailed report TO be ready
when the regular session of Congress
meets next December.
The biggest problem will be to finance
the Improvement. The President has
been told by the Congressional leaders
that the necessity for strict economy
I'm Government was never so great as
now Representative Fitzgerald of
Brooklyn, chairman of the House APP
propriations Committee, in half a dozen
conferences with the President has re-
quested that he take firm stand on
the appropriation question. Today he
told the President that If only a few Of
the bills already introduced In the
House affecting the flood situation
not alone every dollar in the national
Treasury but also all revenues that
are in sight.
May Issue "Flood Bonds"
One plan which the President has had
brought to his attention and which will
receive serious consideration, is to have
q general scheme of improvement
planned which would absolutely take
care of all future floods in the Missis-
sippi, Missouri. Ohio and their tribu-
taries and then to finance it wi tina
general issue of what would be known
as flood bonds
Part of the financing of the improve
ment under this plan would be met by
the States benefited, and the remain
with this plan Is to be considered the
advisability of bringing to this work
Col. George E. Goethals and his en-
tire Panama Canal construction force.
This organization, the greatest OF It's
kind that the world ever saw, Is TO De
idle very soon. 1t had been suggested
that II be sent to Alaska to develop the
resources Of that country, where mlgnty
obstacles are to be encountered.
But the flood situation may change
that plan. The Lower Mississippi I'm
provement Association has been work
ing to have the canal workers sent TO
care for the Mississippi, and 1t Is pos
sible that the force will be utilized TO
place lnS TlNcTS OL lnc <nfooiS =" Co 80
such condition that further disastrous
Hoods will be impossible.
President to Study Problem.
The damage caused By this year
Hood alone, it is pointed out by all who
have talked with the President on this
subject is in excess of the amount
that would be needed to finance the
proposed improvements.
The President has made 1t plain 70
all of his callers that while he cons1d.
.rs the relief question urgent he mus'
have time to study 1t thoroughly be-
fore he can act. He believes that the
Red Cross and the State organizations,
with the assistance of the Federal onl.
ciais who are aiding, will provide all OF
the temporary relief needed, and thai
permanent relief can be deferred until
a real plan of definite action can DC
worked out.
Because of this attitude it is believed
that the present extraordinary session
Of Congress will enact only such legs
iafion as cannot be deferreS az IS &C.
signed to meet emergencies. and the
great problem OF future food preVen-
ton win 20 over until the regular ses-
sion in December.