Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-03-27
ASKS COOPERATION
IN WORK ON RIVERS
Secretary of interior Lane
Tells President States
Should Give Aid.
MRS. LONGSTREET SEEKS
TO RETAIN HER PLACE
Widow of Confederate General Max.
ing Determined Fight for
Georgia Post Office.

ne necessity of cooperation between
the states and the national government
IN the control of the tributaries of the
great waterways of the country was sug-
sested 10 President Wilson today by Sec
retafy Lane of the Interior Department
VINO was with the chief executive when
secretary Garrison was explaining what
the War Department is doing TO help
the flood situation in the middle west
President Wilson. il is ascertained was
greatly impressed with the suggestions
of his cabinet adviser. and when he finds
time may summon a national conference
to consider the cooperation plan or may
send special message to Congress that
will attract the widespread attention nee
essary TO get action.
There has long been a fight against
the methods of river and harbor i'm
provement put through Congress- the
best minds ia Congress insisting that the
river and harbor bill be taken out of the
pork barrel class and become a
methodical. systematic distribution of
federal assistance according to the plans
OF army engineers. In the last few wears
strong attempts have been made along
these lines in Congress.
AS to the Ohio and Indiana rivers that
nave carried death and disaster to sc
many people. Mr.. Lane said: The prob
lem is not specially to make these streams
naviga Bile: it is rather one of conserving
property and life Each small river is a
part of larger river. and the larger
river part of the great stream tia,
finally carries the flood to the ocean
These streams act as giant sewers. They
must be deepened. channels Strengthened
levees built and the question Of foresta
ton considered.
There ought 10 be first a general
program. and each improvement should
be part of the whole scheme. TO improve
rivers by congressional districts or sec
tons will continue to invite disaster and
loss. l believe that scheme could be
worked out that would be free from con-
fiict between the states and national
government
The der7ocratic platform at Baltimore
pledged tie party to q scheme of river
control and the Resident undoubtedly
what car be done.
Mrs. Longstreet to Fight Hard.
Mrs. Ellen Longstreet. widow of Gen.
Longstreet of Confederate fame, proposes
to make a determined fight to retain the
post Office at Gainesville. Ga. The talk
about displacing her with a man. dem
ocrat, has aroused her to an open letter
to President Wilson. which she gave to
Georgia papers. She declares that the
Presidents order shutting the White
House to applicants for Office makes 1t
impossible for her to present her claims
through the usual channels. She asserts
that when she took charge Of the Gaines
Vile ONCE its service was a disgrace to
the town. Under her direction the Office
is now the pride and boast OF its
patrons. and its fame have extended
throughout the country
Mrs. Longetreet declares that she can
not believe that the great American who
has led the democratic hosts to such a
victory will sanction political warfare on
women I'm the struggle OF life. [ can
not believe that you will permit the
greatest and most beneficent branch of
the United States government, in whose
good administration every citizen is con-
cerned, because it touches every freside
in the republic. to be treated as the spoils
of politicians. / cannot believe that your
high sense Of justice will permit to be
withdrawn from me the opportunity to
earn living in the postal service Of this
nation, in order that Representative Bell
may be provided with an Office for one Of
his campaign managers.
Continuing her praise of the work she
has done in the Gainesville Office. Mrs.
Longstreet says: Il lifted the Gainesville
Office out Of politics for the first time in
it's history and gave the people q business
administration. If had been less loyal
to the very high conception Of my obli-
cation to'the PUBLIC ] might have under
taken to play cheap political game in
the organization Of my Office force. 1
cannot believe that a democratic Presi-
dent will now sacrifice me on the altar
of political expediency or that any man
worthy to- be President of the greatest
republic in the world will lend himself
to political warfare on women who mere
ly ask for the right 10 serve the republic
whose civilization they strengthen"
Mrs. Longstreet was a delegate to the
national bull moose convention in Chi
cago and throughout her statement
praises Roosevelt as the greatest Of re-
publican Presidents.
Invited to Celebration.
Former Senator Henry G.. Davis, former
Senator Faulkner and Representative
John ". Davis today invited President
Wilson to attend the semi centennial cele-