Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1916-02-03
CITIZENS AGREE LAKEBED PROBLEM
 MUST BE SOLVED
iCcntinued from Page II

over" anybody
 "Tbis thing is entirely up to the people of Pine Bluff" he said. This meeting is merely to start a move ment. The proposed committee, as I understand it. is to study out the cost of the work, and then put the matter up to the people.
 "If the people want the work done, there will be opportunity for them to sign the petitions. If they don't want the work done, they do not have to sign the petitions, but can. if they desire, make protest. It is a matter for the people to decide. This meet ing, and this committee could not run anything over the people, if such g thing was desired"
 Major Parkes' Plan.
 In his talk, MT. Crawford stated that he has a copy of plan devised by Maj. w. J. Parkes, in 1908, to solve this trouble. Succinctly stated it is proposed by this plan to build le- wee in the Hardings bayou, north of East Second avenue, and to fill in that section of the bayou. The plan then calls for opening channel from the eastern terminus to Imboden bayou, and then to Bayou Bartholomew.
 Such plan, according to Major Parkes, will give the drain it's natural outlet, and will forever prevent re- currence of the flooded conditions which have prevailed here for very many years past MT Crawford stat ed that whenshe came to Pine Bluff in 1868, such flooded conditions did not exist. They began later, and have grown worsef with the passing years. According to, Major Parkes' estimate, it will cost approximately $35,400 to carry out the work as outlined in his plan.
 No Plan Adopted.
 There was mo plan adopted at yes terdays meeting, nor was one prOpOs- ed. Each of the speakers made it plain the meeting was not qualified to adopt a plan. Competent engineers must be consulted, and the best ob- tainable was desired, when it comes to adopting plan.
 Aldermon Ben Veil proposed a committee consisting of federal, coun- ty, city, railroad and individual en- gineers, but this was not accepted, because as it was explained, the general citizens committee will call into it's conferences all these engiz neers and perhaps all the engineers in this section.
 All the speakers urged the one principal point-that the citizens committee start it's work at once; that it rush this work as rapidly as is compatible with the best results; that it get the services of the best en- gineers obtainable; and that it pre- pare its report and recommendation as early as possible, for presentation at another mass meeting of citizens, which is to be held at the pleasure of the committee, within the next two or three weeks, by which time the flood waters will have subsided and every man and woman in Pine Bluff will be able to be present.
 Committee Starts Early.
 An informal conference between several members of the committee. held following the adjournment of the mass meeting, resulted in the decl- sion to bring the committee together at an early date. It was tentatively decided to hold this meeting next Tuesday, at the chamber of commerce assembly hall, thus allowing several days to intervene in which the mem- bers of the committee can discuss the matter with property owners and with other interested people, and have a better idea of conditions than is now possessed.
 Considerable enthusiasm was shown during the mass meeting, when May or Simon Bloom, who acted as chair man, read a telegram from Major Parkes, in which the latter regretted his inability to be present, urged that something be done without further loss of time. and volunteered his pro- fessional services to the mass meet ing and to the people of Pine Bluff, without charge.