Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1916-06-16

L
in earnest. At first glimpse of this
scene on my return from a trip up the
levee remarked that the management
has evidently overlooked but one OF
two things to make the show more
hilarious, exciting and spectacular
that they ought to have procured a
| BRASS band and some banners.
| This employment of guards several
| days before the election of January
25th. was in my opinion, unnecessary
IL was one of the things had in mind
when | alluded in my resignation to
the wasting OF money for political rea-
sons. That was my cOnclusiOn-yOu
may draw yours.
The employment of a number of
gasoline boats which did lie at the
| levee near headquarters, some of them
seldom going anywhere, was a waste
of money. These gasoline boats were
| paid for straight time. a big price, and
gasoline lubricating oil and even bat
terles. furnished free by the Board.
Had been consulted certainly should
have objected TO some of this expense.
There was purchased by one of the
apparently numerous purchasing
agents. many Of them doubtless self
appointed. and hauled to the levee at
Providence, big lot of high priced
lumber. This lumber was not needed
anywhere in the vicinity of Providence
that could see; and even had it been
needed a much cheaper grade would
have served every purpose for levee
use. Had | been consulted | should
have objected to at least the high
priced lumber bought.
There was an understanding before
the high water came that night guards
would be required to furnish their
own lanterns. | found no difficulty i'm
carrying out this agreement for | did
not furnish a lantern. nor authorize
the purchase of any for the Board. but
there were furnished without my
knowledge. a good many dozens in the
Parish, both on my end as well as the
other
I'm the purchase of tools, imple-
ments. etc, was never consulted in
any single instance, but was informed
these things were on hand at head
quarters. Had | been consulted
should certainly have objected to a
good many of the purchases made.
The putting of guards on my line
of Levee before there was scarcely
any water against it; the shipping OF
lot OF lumber and other material to
different points in my district where
it was not needed; the sending of men
to work on my line; all without my re-
quest or knowledge, although | was at
Providence every morning and evening
and could easily have been consulted,
made up series of discourtesias
which were exceedingly exasperating.
Many other petty and annoying instar.
ces OF meddling with my management
could be mentioned but they are unim-
portant except as they tended to
harass. disorganize and render less ef-
hcient. the organization had at work.
made the best of the situation |
could however, and was extremely
thankful nothing more resulted than
the waste of few thousand dollars.
But. Gentlemen, do not approve of |
his way of spending the peoples
money; 1t is our duty to be as care |
'ul in spending the money of the toll |
ng and overburdened taxpayers as If |
We were spending our own; yea, more |
Incumbent upon us to guard against |
waste and extravaganza than if we 1
we're spending our own money. Taxes
ire already higher than can we'll be /
borne. We have $50 miles of uncom- !
'leted levee To put it up to the new
commission grade is now costing $25.- !
100 per mile in the upper end of the /
district where the work of enlarge 4
nent has begun This means it will /
axe more than 100000 to finish the
Oh. Under the HUMPHREYS bill as
'assed by the House, and it is ex-
edingly doubtful if it will be changed
n the Senate, should it be fortunate
o get through at all, We will be called
pom to raise in the next five years
more than $2,000,000, or suffer the
enalty of our impoverishment and
xtravagance by having all aid with
rawn by the Government / am not
pessimist; have great faith in this
'elta country ultimately becoming the
arden spot of the world. but do con-
end 1t depends in some measure upon
The General Inspector and the
tate Engineer agree that no partial
y has been shown by this Board i'm
onstructing the levees through the
everal parishes; that the levees are
ractically as good in one Parish as in
mother. II that be true, why the
normous difference in the costs of
Ugh water fights? II the levees in
ome parishes is in such shape that
requires these enormous expendi- !
Tres to hold them through every high {
alter 1t is criminal on the part of (
lis Board not to correct the Unequal I
y. This year according to the fig
res OF your President the cost of high
alter fighting was in round figures
follows: Concordia $4,000 per mile; 1
ensas. 5000 per mile; Madison s24O ;
ar mile; East Carroll $3.50 per. mile. !
Ut Gentlemen, | deny that the ex-
'nse for the high water fight in that q
III of East Carroll Parish had {
large of. amounted to $3.50 per mile, 7
TO anything like it, in spite of all | 7
I'd TO contend with. The expense I
r my half of the Parish was but little /
er $500 per mile. The surest wav o n
Inkrupt anv busines, is to buy thiays i
at are not needed and to neglect i
oking after the small details. This Il
BARD has charge of a business; the
ost important business in this Dis q
ct A business upon the success of il
1lcb depends the contentment aud O
pplness at every fireside and the
osperity OF every home and every r
:,
Il have lived in East Carroll Par. q