The star-progress. (Opelousas, La.) 1917-1921, 1920-11-17
COMMERCE BODY
is BACKING UP
BRADFORD SCHEME.
Opelousas Organization Re-
cognizes Need of
Irrigation
COCODRIE SHOULD
NOT INTERFERE
Comprehensive Plan to Con-
struct Canal Means
Much to State

I published details of the we'll formulat
ed scheme of Col. Welman Bradford
/ to construct an irrigation navigation
and drainage canal from Red River
south through several parishes OF
I Southwest Louisiana. Following the
publication of this article the police
jury of st. Landry adopted a resolu
/ ton endorsing the project, and at a
meeting of the board of directors OF
the Opelousas chamber of commerce
held November II, practically the
same resolution was also adopted.
The public and commercial bodies
throughout this section of the state
realize fully the vast good the fruition
Of such a scheme would mean to
the agricultural and business inter
ests of the richest portion of Louisi-
ana. Mr.. Bradford is well known in
st. Landry and adjoining parishes and
he is not a dreamer of hazy or i'm
practicable things. A noted civil en-
gineer, thoroughly versed in every
thing technical and otherwise pertain
ing to the successful irrigation of rice
he has given many of his best years
to the laying out of his plans for this
vast project, and he says that beyond
a doubt he has the subject matter well
in hand an dthat al his plans are not
only feasible but absolutely sure TO
culminate in concrete substance If he
but gets the cooperation of people and
interests Of the great territory to be
so materially benefited by the project.
The Bayou Cocodrie, it appears, is
the main stumbling block and con-
gress is to be memorialized to de-
clare that stream non-navigable. The
active aid of the Louisiana senators
and Representatives in congress is to
to be solicited to put this matter
through. The resolution adopted by
the police jury and chamber Of COM
merce states among other things that
the Cocodrie as a matter of fact is
non-navigable but under its present
status an absolute hIndrance to the
construction Of good roads and other
public works, in that draw bridges
have to be built in accordance with
the federal requirements. The Coco
drie is one of the principal feeders OF
the Bayou Courtableau, its junction
with Bayou Boeuf, just north Of the
town of Washington forming the
Courtableau. In the days before the
coming of the railroad the Courtableau
was an important stream and was
traversed by several lines of steam
boats. Then it was the only means Of
with the outside world
and the only means for freight trans
portation. The commerce Of practical
" all of Southwest Louisiana depend
ed on navigation in the Courtableau,
and at that time it was necessary TO
construct draw bridges over the
stream and keep its tributaries IN
good shape in order that navigation
for boats could be maintained
That era passed with the develop
ment of the railroad lines and today
the Courtableau has fallen into disuses
and not a ton of freight is moved
through its channel In fact, the
mouth of the bayou is SO clogged with
drift that a boat could not enter it
and the only purpose it now serves
is for log floating and drainage. 1t
would not be amiss for congress to
declare it nOn-navigable and abolish
the necessity of building draw
bridges. With such action, the nee
essity Of taking care Of Cocodrie
would pass and the hindrance Of this
latter stream to good roads and the
construction of Mr.. Bradford's canal
would pass.
Mr.. Bradford's scheme, as has al
ready been briefly outlined includes
several reservoirs for water storage
for use in times of extreme drouth--
something apparently, never thought
of or put in operation in previous II
rigation schemes in this state, and that
fact alone insures the success Of the
proposed canal. With an ample sup
ply of water always at hand, Mr.. Brad
ford could practically issue an insCr-
ance policy as to the successful yield
of a large rice acreage in this portion
Of the state. The other angles To the
scheme, such as milling, storing and
transportation are amply provided for,
and also he includes the development
of vast electrical energy by water pow
er which in itself makes the idea one
well worthy the deep thought and con-
sideration of every citizen and 'taX-
payer Of Southwest Louisiana
Big things are not aceo nplished in
moment, but require the expendi-
ture Of thought, Drawn and mon"y.