Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-04-13
Pledge by Wilson Administra-
ton to Investigate Flood
Problems Is Read.
NEW WORLDS RECORD
THROWING POUND WEIGHT
A NATIONAL Department
OF PUBLIC WORKS URGED
Resolution Adopted Calling on
Southern States to Aid U. S. in
Stamping Out Malaria.

ST. LOUIS. Mo-. April 12.-The reading
of telegram from Washington pledging
the Wilson administration to investigate
work toward the solution of flood. drain
age and river navigation problems; the
adoption of resolutions urging the crea-
ton of a national department of public
works, under a cabinet member: the de-
feat of a resolution urging congressional
appropriation for the flood prevention
plans of the Mississippi river commission
these events marked the closing ses
sion OF the National Drainage Congress
here today.
In addition the drainage congress
adopted resolutions providing for the es
Establishment of a malaria section of the
drainage congress and urging the south
ern states to appoint commissions that
will cooperate with the United States
public health service in stamping out
malaria.
Provision also was made for a standing
central cooperative committee consisting
of one representative from each state
through whom the various local drainage
commissioners shall work
Wilson's Views Outlined.
The message from Washington outlining
the attitude of the national administra
llOIl was duUTeSS6O " DdSlu u.
retiring president Of the drainage con-
gress. He did not give the name of the
sender. The message follows:
Secretary Tumulty authorized the fol-
lowing as being substantially an express
sion of the Presidents opinion at this
time:
THAT the President hopes to see and
will strive to bring about substantial
progress during his administration to-
0rd inc nf d0N6 n SY1r, riyr6
navigation and other such problems: that
if the National Drainage Congress con-
cludes creation of special department
OF the government will assist solution
he will give earnest consideration to
suggestion: that suggestion appears to
offer practical way of coordination and
of improving the governments facilities
for graphing these questions. but that
he hesitates to commit himself until he
has studied the subject more fully as to
method: in short, the President has an
open mind: the same suggestions have
been made during and considered under
the two preceding administrations. The
situation simply is that the President
would prefer to investigate records and
consult his advisers before advocating
so sweeping a change. Secretary Car
rison is now preparing a report on the
ways and means of coping with floods.
This may have a bearing on the Presi
dents course.
Precipitates Stirring Debate.
The resolution urging congressional
appropriation to carry out the plans of
the Mississippi river commission was pre-
scented by r. B. Oliver of Cape Girardeau,
Mo-, and precipitated the only stirring
debate that occurred during the entire
three days session.
why talk of further investigations"
said Mr.. Oliver. when the Mississippi
river commission already has made an in
vestigation and eminent engineers have
announced that it's plans for flood con-
troll are feasible.
1T is little short of murder for this
congress to go on record as failing to in
dorse the plan of the commission when
along the lower Mississippi today people
are being driven from their homes and
separated from their friends by floods
that they cannot control and that -Origl-
mated in regions north Of them.
Mr. divers speech brought forth sew
eral replies, the speakers cOntending that
the drainage congress should not center
it's attention on one project, that the mat
ter had been discussed thoroughly in the
resolution committee and that 1t was
the part of wisdom to present united
front for a department of public works
which should take over all matters of
flood control.