The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-06-26
TO ARREST FLOODS.
Continued from Page one.l

CContinUed from Page One.1
the recent floods should Impress upon
us all that something must be done
to protect the fertile valleys of Kan
sas from these frequently recurring
foundations, and that the sooner we
bestir ourselves about it the better.
The toll of a big flood. especially in
the kaw river watershed, is appalling.
Aside from the loss of life and prop
erty, the mental anguish suffered by
the people in constant fear of having
their homes, their crops, their live
stock and their own lives wiped out
by a devastating flood, should be
ample reasons for the state to Crap
pie with the situation, to see if some
thing cannot be done to relieve it.
System of Reservoirs.
Expert engineers of the Union Pa
cific railway, after an exhaustive in
vestigation, have recommended a sys-
tenn of reservoirs to catch the flood
waters. President A. L. Mohler of the
Union Pacific system, has kindly
transmitted a copy of that report to
ton that his company stands ready to
cooperate with Kansas in any effort
to overcome these freshets. His en-
gineers will be placed at the disposal
of the people, both in developing and
executing a plan for flood prevention.
1t is more than likely other railroad
interests will join in the movement.
I'm their report to President Mohler
the Union Pacific engineers express
the opinion that 76 reservoirs covering
102,200 acres of ground, and distrib-
uted throughout the valleys in the
Kaw river watershed will hold the
waters of even as great an inundation
as the historic and immensely des-
tructive flood of 1903. They estimate
the total cost at $11,5O0,000 and the
annual upkeep, ircluding interest on
bonds, at s593,s60. 1t is not improb-
able that the loss to crops and prop
/
lives, by the recent flood in the valleys
of the Kaw was more than the total
cost of the system of rs reservoirs, as
estimated by the experts.
IF Kansas can put in a f1ood-pre-
vention system at a cost not to exceed
that of one or two such floods, it
seems to me it would be a sensible,
business-Hke Enterprise. Perhaps some
one can evolve a better plan than the
reservoir system. If he can, we want
it. But it is time a movement to curb
the floods and prevent these huge
losses was started.
Legislation Is Needed
1t is almost certainty that addi-
tional legislation will be required to
carry out any plan adopted. The
drainage district laws have worked
we'll in Shawnee, Wyandotte and
some other counties. But it may be
they are not broad enough to cover
a reservoir and dixie system for the
entire Kaw river watershed. How
ever, the principle of these laws might
be applied, only on 4 much larger
scale.
/ II am not presuming to say what
! system should be adopted, but I am
/ convinced that something should be
/ done. Discussion is essential in form
ulating plans and creating public sent
/ iment, and it takes public sentiment
I to pass laws and push through big
public enterprises. Let's have the dis
cussion. BY beginning now we should
be able to have plan thought out
and fairly we'll matured for presenta-
| ton to the next legislature.
With this in view, L hereby call a
conference to be held at Topeka on
| July 9, 1915, and cordially invite to
/ attend it from the flood-stricken dis
\ tricts of the state, the mayors of the
4 cities. members of the drainage
1 boards, commissioners of the counties
/ representatives of the river improve
ment branch of the federal govern
4 ment, representatives Cincluding civil
! engineerS) of the railroaGs, CONNER
cial clubs, farmers, bankers and bust
ness men generally who are interested
in the subject. 1 urge large attend
ance and believe if we have such a
conference that lasting good will re-
suit from it.
Very respectfully,
ARTHUR CAPPER,