Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1914-05-13

"htn the maj leBlSiatlEe Ngnt cOm0g,
IL will be worthy one Senator
Newlands already has set forth his
plan for flood prevention and the de-
velopment of the inland waterways In
bill which Is now in congress
Senator Ransdell also has his plan
and large following OF believers.
including. it is said, some of the army
engineers who have given the subject
study. 1t is understood that Senator
Ransdells plan represents the view
OF the people OF the lower Mississippi
sections and in part those of other
sections. He holds that there is only
one way at present to conquer floods
and that is TO build levees and dikes
so that streams cannot overflow.
leVees Versus Reservoirs
This plan OF Senator Ransdell IL
put into effect will mean that large
sums OF money must be spent imme-
diately on leyees. Congress has grant
ed a considerable sum already. but
nothing can be done even with plenty
OF money at hand. for a little while
at least 10 make il certain that the
floods of last spring will not be re-
peated II the rain conditions shall be
duplicated.
The Newlands measure is a broad
bill. II provides for a government
appropriation OF $4,000, 900 each year
for a period of ten years. making Z
total OF S500000,000 II includes q
plan for reforestation which is a
good one. but II will take a good
many years 10 grow woods end 10
prevent foods by means OF natural
conditions of the country Nj. New.
lands plan provides for flood proven
ton and protection by means OF huge
reservoirs for water storage purposes
and by the protection OF water sheds
from denudation and erosion. the lat.
ter plan involving reforestaticn.
Col. c. Med. Townsend OF the
United States engineer corps f. chair.
man OF the Mississippi river commits
sion. He is opposed to Mr.. New.
lands plan, which. however. has re.
ceived the Endorsement OF those con.
servationists who would have refor-
estation the mainstay of the work OF
flood prevention. In writing on the
subject. particularly as II relates to
the Mississippi river Colonel Town.
send says:
While of the opinion that levees
afford the only practicable method of
controlling the floods OF the Missis-
sippi river. | desire to state that I
am strongly in favor OF both refores-
tation and reservoir construction. but
limited to the purposes for which they
are adapted just as | am in favor OF a
reinforced concrete for small bridges.
though not considering 1t applica bic to
one spanning the Lower Mississippi
river"
Sebert May Get Alaska Job.
Lieut.. Col. William l.. Sibert, mem
Der of the Isthmian Canal commits
sion and builder OF the Gatun locks.
dam and spillway, has just been
ordered to Washington to report
for duty, his great work on the
lsthmus having been completed. Army
men, and civilians, too, for that mat
ter, are wondering if Colonel Sibert
is to be ordered to Alaska. there to
undertake the job of constructing the
railroad which is to be built by the
government of the United States.
Colonel Siber, already has made a
great name for himself pe ~ engineer
in the lsthmus of Panama. 1t is per.
haps question whether or not he at
heart would care to undertake the
work in the Northwest, for the eli
matte conditions would be entirely diff
ferent from those TO which he has
been subjected for the last seven
years, and, moreover. it may be that
he would prefer home job for some
time to come. However. If he is or
dered to go to Alaska OF course he
will go without a word Of demur. as
would any other officer OF the United
States army, and there are many of
them connected with the corps of en-.
Sineers who unquestionably could be
intrusted with the great work.
President Wilson and Secretary of
war Garrison in way have the same
problem confronting them today that
confronted President Roosevelt and
Secretary of War Taft seven year,
ago. Pressure is being brought to
bear to have civilian engineer ap.
pointed to the work in Alaska. Just as
pressure was brought 70 bear on a
previous administration TO have civil.
ians appointed to the work i'm Panama.
Chance for Fame or Failure.
The Panama canal virtually having
been built by army engineers, and
built so successfully. il would seem
that the natural inclination would be
to give the next big job ,oto the hands
OF the soldiers. The man who is an.
pointed as chic; engineer of this gov.
eminent work in Alaska will have an
opportunity TO make a great name for
himself, or. as is possible. he may not