The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1913-09-23


a large part of this expense and
measure has been introduced into both
houses Of Congress known as the RAMS |
bill which provides for
the allotment Of such an amount by |
the national government during the
next five years so that this great pro-
ject may be dealt with Just as the
Panama Canal was treated.
It is interesting to note that the re-
plies to Mr.. Fox's request are from
mayors of cities greatly interested In
irrigation and entirely outside Of the
drainage basin of the Mississippi river
such as Phoenix. Arizona. Twin Falls,
Idaho. and Walla Walla, Washington,
Mayor Meigs. of Twin Falls, says in
part: 81 believe, and always have
that this should be national task
rather than an expense to be borne
by the citizens living Immediately ad-
iacent to the river, as the Mississippi
river drains very large portion of the
United States, and l take pleasure IN
stating that | heartily concur with the
present views of the commission in this
matter"
Mayor ellis, of Walla Wala. says:
"The control of the flood waters of the
Mississippi is problem of such mag
nitude that it can only be properly
handled by the national authorities,
and it is of such vital Importance to
all of our people that the indifference
of Congress is hard to understand. Re-
mote as we are from these constantly
recurring floods, still feel that we
are deeply interested in their proven
ton and that any assistance that we
can give your work should be freely
given"
Mayor Christy, of Phoenix, expresses
himself as heartily in favor of the
Congress of the United States appro
priating a sufficient amount to pre-
vent the flooding of the lower Missis
sippi river. | think this is one thinl
that the various members Of Congress
of the different districts of the Unit
ed States should have the unanimou
appreciation of their constituents on
Mayor H. L. Cadet, of Gallipolis
Ohio, speaks from the depth of tn
recollection of his sections late hoI
rible experience with floods. He say
with reference to the construction o
, permanent levee to control tn
) floods Of the Mississippi Valley:
/ have read a great deal on the sui
? iect, and in my opinion your plan i
! the best that has yet been proposed
While our own valley suffers great
! from floods, | believe the create
+ damage is done in the Mississippi Va
b ley. and l earnestly hope you wi
? succeed il securing the required al
? --op-iation from the federal govern
? -e-- and ~ able 70 begin active Of
a-r-in-s 81 tie earliest possible MI
= -z---~
Msyc- McCuist.on. OF Paris, Texa
another enthusiastic endorser
Ne Pe--Gaea; leTee system as pr
10set II the R2nsdell-Humphrey
i'll He says. i believe the govern
nent should lend every aid possibl
20 protect the people of this vast te
ritory. and that steps in this directio
should be taken at the earliest POI
sible moment"
Mayor Behrman, of New Oriean
states that he is in accord with view
50 generally expressed that the matte
Of the control of the great foods
the lower Mississippi river should b
placed under direct control Of tn
United States government"
The foregoing reference to the re
plies of the Mayors of localities widel
separated furnishes Illuminating san
ples of the comprehensiveness of pull
&c sympathy with the steps now be
ing taken to have the Congress OF tn
United States give the financial al
necessary to the states that must pre-
tact themselves against the grea
Good waters Of the lower Mississippi
river.