The courier-index., 1919-02-14
|RIC APPROPRIATION
 FOR RIVERS ASSURED
BARNET OFFICERS AND MEM neRs OF CONGRESS IMPRESS ED WITH NECESSITY FOR DE vrLoPiNG WATERWAYS.

mar disclosed beyond the SnadOW
 of doubt that the railroads in the
 Limited states are wholly inadequate
 o meet the transportation demands
 If American industries, and for this
 raason the attention of the federal
 administration, which means all the
 Government agencies from the presi-
 dent to members of the congress,
 are directing their attention to the
 development of the great waterways Ind highways of this country as
 means for affording cheaper and Ehetter transportation, This was tbe central idea that permeated the treat rivers and harbors convention held in Washington last week, and was particularly emphasized by the Mississippi Waterways Improvement Association that met in Washington at the same time. The two conven- Mons were composed of representa-. live men from all along the river, particularly from St. Louis to New Orleans.
 The chief purpose of the rivers and harbors convention was to i'm. 'bress upon congress the necessity For making liberal appropriations Tor the control of the flood waters hnd the consequent protection of the Thousands of acres of fertile river bottom lands that are overflowed krom time to time The Waterways association directed its energies to- |ward inducing the federal govern |nent to make larger appropriations |for establishing barge lines on the river in order that cheap led transportation for freight might be made available. Both conven- |tions succeeded in their purpose, if Expressions made by cabinet officers land members of congress mean any lining.
 Jas. B. Hood of Gassett. member |of the St. Francis Levee Board, Il. M. Jackson from Marianna, repre- |senting the Commercial Club; s. w. Adams of Helena, attorney for the |]eyee board Judge Greenfield |Quarles of Helena, for many years Ian advocate of river transportation land flood control; Harry Pharr. en- |gineer for the levee board; John R. West, the ecretary-treasurer; Hugh |Tomlinson. president of the board; |and large delegation from Missis- |sippi, including Gov Bilbo, went to Washington as delegates to the two 
 Addresses were delivered by Sec |retary of War Baken, Secretary Of the Navy Daniels. Walker D. Hines. director general of the railroads, |Wm. J. Bryan, and other celebrities. All the speakers emphasized the Importance of flood control and the of barge lines on the Mississippi and tributary streams. A committee composed of Arkan- sas, Mississippi and Louisiana dele gates, appeared before Congressman Ben Humphreys, chairman of the Hood control committee in congress, and urged an appropriation of $6.7O0,- 900 to be expended under the direc- tion of the Mississippi River Commits sion in conjunction with the work of the several levee boards. Congress- man Humphreys pledged himself to use his influence to secure this ap- propriation. President Hugh Tom linson secured an audience with Chairman Sherley of Kentucky. at the head of the house committee on appropriations and interested him in increasing the appropriation for the lower Mississippi river from $4,70O,- 900 to $6.70O,0 ,00O.
 The Waterways convention in the meantime was presenting strong appeal for increased appropriations Tor promoting steel barge lines on the Mississippi river The govern ment constructed two large tow boats and a dozen steel barges and re- gently the first trip was made down the Mississippi from St. Louis to New Orleans. An initial appropria-
 
 work last year as war measure. The Waterways Convention urged continuation of the appropriations m order that more tow boats and barges may be put into the service. Modern river terminals are to be constructed at advantageous points along the river and through these terminals the freight for western, southern and southewestern points will pass.
 UT particular interest to the peo- pie In Lee county, especially to .hose owning lands in the bottoms, m the announcement, authorized by resident Hugh Tomlinson and en. sineer Harry Pharr, that the six .niie gap in the Mississippi levee on ene eastern boundary of Lee county VIII be constructed this summer. ms will mean that thousands of acres of land that overflow at a stage of thirty-seven feet will be p'otected. In other words, the fili. '1s or this gap will mean a differ