McNairy County independent. (Selmer, McNairy County, Tenn.) 1902-1969, 1916-11-24
MEMPHIS HARBOR
GETS INSPECTION
MEMBERS OF MISSISSIPPI RIVER
COMMISSION Visit MEMPHIS
ON INSPECTION TOUR.
STEPS TO OPEN CHANNEL
Claims Of Memphians, st. Francis
Ievee Board and Yazoo- ississip-
pi Delta Levee Board Heard.
To Protect Memphis Harbor

Memphis, Tenn.-Gravity of the
Memphis harbor situation was i'm
pressed on members of the Mississip-
pi River Commission in hearing held
by that body on the government boat
Mississippi.
b. l.. Mallory was the spokesman
OF the delegation of Memphis citizens
who appeared before the river COM
mission in the assembly room of the
Mississippi. Mr.. Mallory reviewed
the conditions which exist on the
Memphis river front. He informed the
government men that probably one
fifth OF the cotton which comes into
Memphis annually has come by river,
which, he informed them, meant the
transportation here by boat of approx
imately 100000 bales of cotton an
nually. The boats which carry the
cotton on their outbound trips carry
merchandise, he explained, holding
large part Of the trade between Mem
phis jobbers and manufacturers and
landings along the river in both direc-
lions.
Col. Townsend admitted that much
OF the work being done now is largely
In the nature of an experiment. The
commissioners will be unable to tell
until after high water stage whether
the experiment Is going to do what Is
hoped Of II, he added.
Ideas which have been advanced of
building jetties on the Arkansas side
of the river to throw the current to
the Memphis side, in the hope of cut,
ting away Mud Island or of trying to
throw the main current of the river
through Loosahatchie Chute, may as
well be abandoned, he said, as similar
efforts at other places on the Missis-
sfppi rave proved futile.
Dredges will be kept at work here
until high water necessitates break
in their activities, the commissioner
promised.
Harry Pharr, chief engineer, and H.
D. Tomlinson, president of the st.
Francis Levee Board, appeared before
the officials In regard to work being
conducted under their direction. Con-
struction Of loop-levee near Barfield
Landing, at cost Of SAL 400, and pur-
chase of right of way for vaious levees
this year at cost Of $4,000 were
mentioned, along with other matters,
The district now is purchasing right
of way before contrasts are advertised
and let, In order to accomplish a saw
ing in the cost.
st. Francis Levees Need Funds.
The commissioners were informed
that the st. Francis board plans to ask
the Arkansas legislature for permits
sion to issue 100000 in bonds in or.
der to meet requirements of the Mis-
sissippi river flood bill. now pending
before congress, in the event the meas
ure passes.
Serious situations arising from the
caving of banks at Barfield and Golden
Lake also were laid before the govern
ment men.
Maj. T. G. Dabney, chief engineer,
and ED Franklin, president of the va
Mississippi Delta Levee Board,
both Of Ruleville. Miss, presented the
work Of their organization.
Members of the commission include
Col. Townsend. st. Louis; Col. James
G.. Warren, Buffalo, N. Y; Col. Lans-
ing H. Beach, Cincinnati. Ohio; Major
Clarke S. Smith, st. Louis, secretary;
j. A. Ockerson, st. Louis; Homer p.
Ritter, Washington; Charles H. West,
Greenville, Miss; Edward A. Glenn.
Louisiana, Mo.
Gen. John T. Black, head Of the
board Of army engineers, whose ap-
prevail must be had for every engi-
neering project undertaken by the gov
eminent, was with the commission.
At the close of the hearings Major
Michael ]. McDonough, U. s. engineer
at Memphis, took the entire party on
the Mars for trip up the canal into
Wolf river. Soundings we're taken on
the trip up the canal, showing depths
ranging from four and one-half feet to
11h feet. The dam now under con
struction where Wolf river is diverted
into the canal was inspected.