Evening journal., 1913-11-01
NATIONAL
DRAINAGE
CAMPAIGN
Bill Pending in Congress
Would Reclaim the LOwlandS
Of DeImarvia Peninsula
DR.. SQUIRES TELLS OF
IMPORT OF THE PLAN

Delawareans are greatly interested
in the national drainage bill now
pending in Congress.
Its enactment would be Of particular
benefit to Delaware, as it would mean
the drainage and reclamation of low
lands and swamps within the state.
AS is generally known, there arc
thousands of acres Of lowlands in
Delaware that could be drained and
reclaimed, particularly in Sussex
county.
George Frank Lord chairman OF the
Delmarvia Publicity Committee, has
interested himself in the drainage sub
iect after a study of state conditions,
and has written to Delaware's mem-
bers of Congress In behalf of national
drainage legislation. Senator Henry
A. DUPONT. in his reply. particularly
emphasized the necessity of drainage
OH the Delmarvia Peninsula. Senator
Salisbury promised TO interest him
self in the bill No reply has been re-
ceived from Congressman Brockson,
but his cooperation is expected.
"Our State is vitality interested, di-
lrectly and indirectly, in the passage
of the Flood Protection and Drain
age BILL prepared by the National
Drainage Congress and introduced IN
the House of Representatives, Sep
tember 16. 1918, by Speaker Champ
] Clark" says Dr. ]. II. Squires, Agro-
nomist. Of the DUPONT Powder Co.
member Of the Executive Committee
] 80 dfu a., "a 90 finn
"This bill was prepared in cooper
alton with the Secretary Of the In
terror, Secretary of Agriculture,
Speaker Clark Vice-President Mar
shall. and a number of Senators and
Representatives of all political par
ties. in response to a telegram sent
last March by President Woodrow
Wilson to Edmund 7. Perkins, Of
Chicago. chairman of the executive
committee, in which the President
expressed the hope that the Drainage
Congress would offer comprehen-
sive and systematic plan for drain
age and food control
"The direct interest of this State
lies in the fact that there are 10000
acres OF reclaimable swamp and over
flowed lands in its hordnrs. whose
reclamation would add to the agricul-
tural wealth, and lessen disease and
poverty resulting from disease, and
would protect the residents OF the
valleys from destructive floods.
"The indirect interest lies in the
! fact that similar work accomplish
ed all over the United States will in
evitably result in a great expansion
Of agricultural activity, more busi-
| ffe,
rrovement of industrial and econo-
mic conditions In fact, the indirect
benefit TO this or to any other State
Is apt to be greater in the end thar
the direct benefit
"The bill is known as II. r. S1S9
SSrd Congress. 1st Session. and es.
'ablishes a Flood protection and
drainage fund to provide for the
protection. drainage. and reclamation
of the overfiowed and swamp lands
IN the United States. in promotion
Of the general welfare. in prevention
0f the dissemination of malaria and
ther diseases among the several
States. and to promote interstate
| commerce by navigation.' A direct
appropriation Of s20000.O00 is made
TO be expended by the Secretary Of
| tue lnitIiOl.' ana tut duulllOudl dl-
preparation Is made of the proceeds
of the sale Of public lands in certain
States not included in the Reclama-
ton Act for the reclamation of arid
lands.
"This bill establishes the power
and indicates the general method by
which the Secretary of the interior
may construct the works that viii
control disastrous floods, thereby
preventing loss of life and destruc
ton of property protect the over
flowed land, drain the swamps, anC
thus reclaim the millions Of acre.
of such lands and lands too wet fol
agricultural purposes. Il provides
that the expense of this work shal
be borne by the owners of land AM
other property benefited and tina
the United States shall pay only fo
such work as will promote naviga
tion by enlarging, improving. or al
tering navigation streams, or con
structing drainage bitches suitable
for navigation. or for that worl
which is primarily in defense Of tn