The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1913-01-27
Engineers Take Precautions
To Prevent Losses Similar
To Those Last Year.
MASS MEETING WILL BE HELD
TODAY AT GREENvILLE, vIcKs-
BURG AND OTHER PLACES TO
CONSIDER PLANS FOR RELIEF
OF PEOPLE WHO WILL BE MADE
HoMELEss-5EuLAH cREVASsE
CONTINUES TO WIDEN.
BY ASSOCIATED PRESS,

Vicksbwg, Jan. 26.-Heavy rains
continued today in the lower Missis-
sippi valley and federal and state en-
gineers are taking extra precautions
to prevent Z, loss of property similar
to that sustained in the disastrous
food last year.
The greatest loss is expected in the
vicinity of the Beulah crevasse which,
advices from Greenville say, has
reached a width of one hundred and
twenty-five feet
Mass meetings will be held tomor-
row at Greenville, Vicksburg and
other cities to consider plans for the
relief of people who will be made
homeless as the result of the Beulah
break in the levee.
cREVASSE ABANDONED.
1t is not believed possible to close
the crevaSse now, and the government
and state levee workers will turn their
efforts to the task of saving the levees
at Filters and Lake jefferson, where
the increasing floods are considered
threatening.
The waters from the new Beulah
crevasse are expected to flood a sec
tion of farming land covering an area
of sixty miles in length and from five
to fifteen miles in width, extending
south to a point just north of Vicks-
burg and east beyond the tracks of the
Yazoo and Mississippi Valley railroad.
This railroad probably will be placed
out of commission between Greenyille
and Wick 5burg within the next few
days.
BREAKS AT SAME PLACE.
The crevasse is at the head of Lake
Beulah, twenty miles north of the city
Of Greenville, in Washington county
The river stage is almost ten feet
lower than on June II, last year, when
one Of the most disastrous breaks in
the history Of this section occurred al
the same place. Therefore the city Of
Greenville is not considered in danger
and much of the highlands of the delta
which were inundated last summer
probably will not be submerged.
/. Lucas, a. well-known planter OF
Filters Landing, was outspoken today:
vigorously expressing his opinion that
the Beulah break was due to crimi-
nal negligence" and said he would
be glad to see the entire levee board
give up their positions, SO that the
planters of the Delta lowlands can in
the future have men in charAe who
will be more prompt in looking out
for their valuhle interests.
HITS THOSE HIGH UP.
Mr.. Lucas said that instead of ad-
vantage being taken months ago, when
the weather was ideal and everything
was IN proper shape for building strong
and safe levees,, those In charge were
idiing away the opportunity, and nov
the people are left with another break
and it is hard to say when crops will
be planted.
Contra ctor Helgason said that Ma
1or woodruff and Assistant Engineer
ToIlinger are in no sense to blame.
But there are thos high in author
ity who are to blame" added Mr.. Hell
gascn. In discussing the nature oi
the Beulah break, Mr.. Heigason said:
"Of course 1t gave may due to set
Ting foundation. Any new Ievee
rushed up and built of mud banks is
apt to settle or cave, and it would
be absurd to expect levee to hold
when put up under such conditions"
There were great many expressions
OF opinion and considerable feeling 1:
afounsed over the BeDIai1 Ersak. whief
many contend could have been avoided
had the proper steps been taker
months ago.