The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1914-05-02

III the Culleu SIdleS Scbdtc JOSepu
E. Ransdell of Louisiana and Francis
G.. Newlands of Nevada, both Demo-
Gratis, disagree radically as to the gov
ernmental methods to be employed in
controlling floods and in regulating
navigable streams for commercial pur-
poses. Each man is a thinker on the
subject and each one is convinced that
he is right. They have had sharp en-
counters before this and all men in
terested in the subject know that
when the final legislative fight comes.
it will be a worthy one. Senator
Newlands already has set forth his
plan for flood prevention and the de-
velopment of the inland waterways In
a bill which Is now In congress.
Senator Ransdell also has his plan
and a large following of believers,
including, 1t Is said. some Of the army
engineers who have given the subject
study It is understood that Senator
Ransdell's 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 is
put into effect will mean that large
sums OF money must be spent lmme-
diately on levees. 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, to make 1t 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. 1t provides for a government
appropriation Of s5O,000,000 each year
for a period Of ten years. making
total Of s5OO.OOO,000 1t includes a
plan for reforestation which Is a
good one, but 1t will take good
many years to grow woods and to
prevent floods by means Of natural
conditions Of the country. Mr.. New
lands plan provides for food 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 reforestation.
Col. C. Med. Townsend Of the
United States engineer corps is 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
food prevention. In writing on the
subject. particularly as 1t. 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, I desire to state that l
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 applicable to
one spanning the Lower Mississippi
river"
siebert May Get Alaska Job.
Lieut.. Col. William l. Sibert, men,
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
Isthmus having been completed. Army
men, and civilians, too, for that mat
ter, are wondering II 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.
President Wilson and Secretary of
War Garrison in a way have the same
problem confronting them today that
confronted President Roosevelt and
Secretary of War Taft seven years
ago. Pressure Is being brought to
bear to have a civilian engineer ap-
pointed to the work In Alaska, Just as
pressure was brought to bear on a
| previous administration to have civil
ians appointed to the work in Panama.
Chance for Fame or Failure.
The Panama canal virtually having
been built by army engineers, and
built so successfully, 1t would seem
that the natural inclination would be
to give the next big job into the hands
of the soldiers. The man who is ap
pointed as chief 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
be able to achieve the great name
failure coming from no fault of his
own.
II congress delays in parceling out
the $35,OOO.O0O appropriated for the
Alaska work, dribbling the supplies
out at long intervals, the road con
struction will lag and the head man on
the work probably will be blamed fol
something which Is no fault Of his
II the lawmakers show that they wan,
the thing done and vote the money
| free-handedly, the proper man In the
proper place will complete the com
handing piece Of work and will &c,