The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-04-10

Imperative and prompt measures to
prevent floods along the Ohio and Mis-
SiSSippi rivers and their tributaries
were urged by Isham Randolph in an
address before the congress today. Mr..
Randolph held that the regulation of
the flood waters necessarily was a fed
eral duty and he suggested that event
uaIIy a new mem Der of the cabinet, to
be at the head of a federal department
of public works, would be necessary.
He said in part:
1.-The president of the United States
in telegram to our executive chair
man says: The calamity in Ohio and
Indiana makes clearer than ever be-
fore the imperative and immediate
necessity for a comprehensive and
systematic plan for drainage and flood
control
I'm his reply, our executive chair
man with a boldness born of faith,
says: The national drainage congress
accepts the responsibility of present
ing to the congress of the United
States a. plan to alleviate and prevent
the recurrence of loss of life and prop
erty.'
Earns Nations Gratitude.
'"rhe men, the group of men, the
organization that fulfills this promise
of our chairman will earn nations
gratitude. Where, then, is the one
man destined to lead this people away
from the power of such floods as have
devastated vast acres of our fair land
and taken tribute OF lire, mans dear
est possession. No such leader has
vet found recognition. Nor do I be-
lieve that one human mind so grasps
the topography of the United states
as to develop from his knowledge
effective solution or
the problem of flood prevention. We
have reached a time when we must
take counsel together.
lowing to it's conformation, there
are vast stretches of our country
of oh
affords the only method of preventing
flood damage. There are floods of
such vast volume, the only method of
keeping the waters from spreading
over vast areas is to build on each side
of the stream levees so far apart and
of such height that the necessarily
heightened flood plane will not over
top them.
.''I have been told that the estimated
cost of a reservoir system which would
be a flood preventative in the Allie
gheny and Monongahela rivers would
be $40, 100000.
Cost of Reservoir System.
Suppose that system to be extended
to West Virginia and Kentucky at
cost of $2O,000,0O0 more would it not
be a good investment? Not only
would this expenditure save life and
property along the Ohio river, but it
would have like results along the Mis-
sissippi below Cairo, for with the hold
ing back of excess floods from the
Ohio, the flood plane of the MisslS-
sippi would be lowered.
This is not the whole problem; it
is but the problem of one section of
the country; a problem not for state
solution but for the national govern
ment-
This great government needs new
department, the cabinet a new port
folio We need a national department
of public works and it's executive head
should be a member of the presidents
cabinet This belief does not minimize
my appreciation of the army engineer.
But West Point does not graduate men
enough to supply the engineering needs
of country like ours. An examina-
ton of the roster of army engineers in
active service astonished me. Their
and rank is as follows:
'-One chief of engineers with rank
of brigadier generals. II colonies, 10
lieutenant colonies, SO majors. 81 cap
tains AZ first lieutenants and 10 second
All told lis men. Numer-
ically not enough to conduct the engi-
neering operations of the Pennsylvania
railroad OF these, eleven are engaged
in building the Panama canal, two are
in the Philippines, one in Hawaii and
IA are detailed as instructors at West
Point and other training schools.
This leaves 80 men to cope with all |
the requirements of these United |
States and it's territorial possessions" |
Suggest Candidates.
Governor Major, in welcoming the |
delegates in behalf of the state, sug-l
gested David R. Francis as a man well |
qualified to head the proposed depart |
ment of public works Mr. Francis, |
whoais president Of the congress, in re- /
ply, suggested Colonel George W.
builder of the Panama canal